tweets … 9/22 thru 9/24

from https://www.espn.com/blog/los-angeles-rams/post/_/id/42015/jared-goffs-red-hot-start-three-tds-to-tyler-higbee-gets-rams-to-2-0

Eye-popping NextGen Stat: Talk about a lockdown cornerback. Wentz stayed far away from Jalen Ramsey in the first half. Ramsey played every snap, but was not the nearest defender to any targeted receiver, according to Next Gen Stats. Ramsey finished with one tackle and was only targeted twice. The Eagles did not complete either pass. Ramsey lined up opposite DeSean Jackson and Jalen Reagor more often than anyone else.

from https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29938681/week-3-nfl-power-rankings-1-32-poll-plus-surprise-early-fantasy-finds

Under-the-radar fantasy standout: TE Tyler Higbee

Higbee finished 2019 on a hot streak, accumulating 522 receiving yards over the final five games, though he wasn’t necessarily a go-to end zone target for Jared Goff, catching only two touchdown passes in that span. But after the Rams dominated the Eagles thanks to three touchdown receptions by Higbee — equaling his total touchdowns from the entire 2019 season — look for Goff to find the 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end near the goal line more often. — Lindsey Thiry

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
By just about every metric, the Rams’ pass rush has been one of the worst in the NFL.

It’s the biggest question on what’s been an otherwise stout defense.

ESPN’s pass rush win rate: 30th (32%)
PFR pressure rate: 26th (15.7%)
PFR hurry rate: 28th (4.5%)
Total presures: 11th-fewest (14)
Sacks: 10th-fewest (3)

It’s early, but the pass rush has to be better

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Bills coach Sean McDermott (former wrestler who at times has picked the brain of legendary collegiate wrestler/coach Cael Sanderson) on Aaron Donald’s dominance: It all comes down to really one thing, if my information is correct…he was a wrestler!

PFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
Troy Hill’s 72.9 NFL QB Rating when targeted from the slot ranks 6th among all secondary defenders (min. 25 coverage snaps)

Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
Sean McVay says they will probably place LG Joe Noteboom on injured reserve.

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams DC Brandon Staley says CB Jalen Ramsey is “absolutely” a leader of the defense. Starts with his mind, and he’s also done a great job of bringing young players along. Staley says Ramsey realizes teammates are leaning on him as more than a shutdown corner.

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
This is interesting, per Robert Woods: Not only does Jalen Ramsey study the receivers around the league that he may match up against…he also studies all of the corners and works with Rams receivers on certain techniques to use against them.

Good to see DT A’Shawn Robinson out here working on the side after the start of camp, when doctors found a cardiovascular issue that put him on the NFI list (eligible to return). He can’t be cleared to play for a few weeks but will be working to get back up into football shape.

Son of an English teacher and Rams DC Brandon Staley, on how the defense must aggravate Josh Allen out of sound decision-making: “We gotta make it more like New York City traffic than a trip on I-90 in Upstate New York. It’s gotta be more stressful for him.”

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Jared Goff was #bad on play-action passes last season.

This year, he’s been really #good

Eric Williams@eric_d_williams
Darrell Henderson Jr. could be in line for more work this week vs. Bills as Malcolm Brown, Cam Akers sit out practice

PFF@PFF
Andrew Whitworth – highest graded OL through W2 (95.0)

PFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
Troy Hill’s 72.9 NFL QB Rating when targeted from the slot ranks 6th among all secondary defenders (min. 25 coverage snaps)

Kevin Modesti@KevinModesti
Sean McVay said #Rams teammates gave LB Micah Kiser an ovation after he won NFC Defensive Player of the Week today. “You could really appreciate … how happy and excited they are for Micah after some of the things he’s gone through to put himself in this position.”

==

aeneas1

offensive scoring is the highest it’s ever been through the first two weeks of a season with teams scoring an average of 2.8 tds and 24.8 offensive points per game… penalties per game are down and 3rd down conversion rate is up which no doubt contributes to the increase in offensive production

pass yards per completed pass has declined over the years which no doubt reflects the increase in the short passing game in lieu of runs, and most likely also contributes to increased scoring and offensive production

from PFF: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-2-pff-team-of-the-week-key-takeaways-weekly-awards-and-more

THE LOS ANGELES RAMS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE BACK IN CONTENTION STATUS

After Sean McVay took the NFL by storm and led the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance in 2018, everything and everyone took a big step backward in 2019. But after yesterday’s win against Philadelphia, it looks as though Los Angeles Rams are back in contention status. The Rams had the most efficient offense of Week 2 from an EPA per play standpoint, and Jared Goff was out there delivering from a clean pocket. Goff generated a 95.8 passing grade from a clean pocket, the best grade of the week, and he completed 16 of 17 passes for 230 yards and two scores. Through two weeks of play, Goff is now third in the NFL in passing grade (86.1) and second in the rate of uncatchable passes thrown (10%).

What a beautifully designed play-action pass.

Against Philly, Goff had numerous open downfield throws thanks to great play design, like the one above. That helped him record the third-best positively graded throw rate of the week, which is a metric influenced partly by supporting cast and playcalling. If we see the Rams execute like this the rest of the year, the NFC better watch out.

Steven Jackson career highlights against the Buffalo Bills (including Falcons tenure). Only 4 career contests with the AFC foe but #39 sure made plays! pic.twitter.com/LhIDFzVJ2B

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) September 24, 2020