from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/30/rams-sean-mcvay-offense-tendencies-play-action/

When asked why the Los Angeles Rams haven’t been calling play-action plays or deploying certain personnel, McVay discussed why the team has operated differently on offense so far.

“I think when you look at a lot of those things, it’s not an excuse, but we’ve gotten really thinned out with some of the depth of our roster at different positions as well, not exclusive to receivers, but losing a Johnny Mundt was a really big loss,” he said Monday. “Now, you’ve got confidence in Kendall Blanton and Brycen Hopkins if need be, but those are all very merited points and definitely things that we’ve talked about as a coaching staff. I think it’s really figuring out our identity that we came into this year with, is not going to be able to be that same identity just based on some of the changes that we’ve had. What does that look like in terms of balancing and still being able to do some of the things that Matthew and our offensive players have done at a really high level while not leaving us susceptible to some of the bad things that have resulted over the last couple of weeks, whether it be timing, some of the turnovers. There’s a lot of different things, all of which you’ve kind of alluded to. And so, the challenge for us – and a good challenge – is figuring out a way to maximize our players’ skillsets and be able to try to establish an identity of what exactly we want to look like. I don’t think it has to be one thing, or this or that, or only that, but maybe a little bit of a mixture is something that we’re talking about.”

.@RamsNFL have lots of problems trying to carve out a W right now. But this “position blocking” up front is a major issue. Until they begin knocking opponents off the LOS; the offense will continue to struggle. Go watch (SF. Cincy. Wash. NE etc) own tge LOS #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/MBxwXRn4JD

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 30, 2021

SeattleRams@seattlerams_nfl
Yes, the defense needs to be better. They have struggled to get off the field on 3rd (and 4th) down, allowing teams to roll time of possession on them. We all knew there would be a regression (perhaps not as much as they have.) However, the offense was supposed to make up for it.

Rams Brothers@RamsBrothers
Sean McVay just mentioned on the Coach McVay show with @DMarcoFarr1 and @JB_Long that the intent was for OBJ to return punts late in the game, but his hip pointer forced McVay to move away from that decision.

The back-up plan was J.J. Koski.

alyoshamucci

Packers at Lambeau

So … first off, this is the first game I’ve finished in 4 weeks so I was happy to get 4 quarters of football. Of course I had to pick my son up from practice and missed the first 10 minutes …

I DEFINITELY do not have the same perspective as many others I’ve seen so far.

What I believe to be true is that we’re finding ourselves as an offense after losing multiple pieces going back to PS. I said at the beginning of the year that this year would be defined by injuries and if you’re playing fantasy football you know I was right. Some teams revolve around one player … ours is not that … every player is important and the chemistry matters. Losing Woods was not a trivial loss, because Van can’t do everything he did. the main thing? Woods makes adjustments to errant throws without breaking stride, so much so that we’d barely notice the pass was off. So OBJ and Van need to get chemistry with Matt and I believe that will happen. We’re basically in a mid season rebuild. And that’s not mentioning that we have no depth when we usually rotate receivers to keep them fresh.

There were like 8 plays that didn’t go our way that could have … and if two of those do we likely win the game. And likely 2-3 missed calls by refs.

The Great I usually don’t do this in losses but it matters this week.

1) Two deep ball TDs. Multiple things to note here … OBJ still has wheels. And? Van Jefferson has proven to me that he can run away from people. He tends to pull away the further downfield he gets and create more separation when most DBNs would be closing back in on him… like he tracks the ball at full speed rather than slowing a tad when he starts to turn his head. Green Bay has not been torched like that often.

The Good

2) We didn’t give up. After 2 frustrating losses we could have seen some start to lose their composure. I didn’t see that.

3) I thought Darious Williams showed up nicely.

4) Rochell being johnny on the spot for the fumble recovery on the punt.

5) Von Miller sighting.

6) I thought Fuller was more visible this week as well.

7) Gaines was disruptive and stout. Filling in for SJD nicely.

8) OBJ getting more comfy, and more importantly, gutting it out through back spasms or whatever that was.

9) Watching Kupp continue to shrug off tacklers like he’s a 265 pound TE.

10) Defense holding Rodgers to field goals how many times? 3? 4?

11) Darrell Henderson being a threat to catch TDs … how many does he have now? And that was some throw and catch.

The Bad

12) Okay … where to begin. Let’s start at the 4th and 1 on our own 29 … my issue is not the call. It’s that it was a run play when there was a lane over the left guard for Matt to sneak it.

13) Stafford flat missing throws, as I will put it here every week until he cleans it up. Yeah, Woods would have made the catch that bounced off Van’s helmet, but the Higbee pass landing at his feet? Missed by 3 yards … that’s a lot.

14) The call to hand off to Henderson at the end of the game before the FG. That play should be an out to get out of bounds or go to the end zone.

15) Off coverage on St. Brown on that 3rd and 3 at the end of the game? Dude isn’t a deep threat. That first down was the sealant.

16) Hats off to Davante Adams. Curious to see if he or Justin Jefferson are better … I think Jefferson may surpass him.

17) Whitworth wasn’t ready enough for Rashaan Gary at the beginning of the game, that strip sack was on him. Guy is a backup but still a heck of an athlete.

The Ugly

18) 3 game losing streaks are ugly.

19) Koski, YOU HAVE ONE JOB.

20) Staring down Kupp leading to a pick 6.

21) A pick 6 in 3 straight games. Is that true?

22) Did Michel fumble at the beginning of the game? If so that’s FOUR Turnovers? I can’t believe it was even close.

I’m sure I’m missing something.

The Aaron Donald Experience: pic.twitter.com/h692Bsjkzp

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 29, 2021

The Rams have a top-heavy roster with a lack of depth at several positions, which is a dangerous proposition

It's becoming a serious problem as the season wears on https://t.co/VH82CCRg42

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) November 29, 2021

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
I always try to be straight with you, Rams fans, and tell you when I think you’re overreacting. But I think you should be angry and concerned. If you’re a fan, there’s a lot to worry about — from coaching to player regression — and no clear answers.

lest this gets twisted, it’s not a call for McVay’s head. You’re going to have a very hard time finding a better coach. What I am saying is, I believe some major miscalculations were made, and I don’t think they’re impossible to overcome but it also won’t be easy.

Anthony Thomas@inspectah_ant
Stafford put up great stats in Detroit but the stat that concerns me is he’s now 9-70 against teams over.500. I think it’s fair to ask the question if he can win the big games? We aren’t gonna be playing any team under.500 in the playoffs

Axel Kopun@FV_Mylia_Lynn
McVay thought he could just have Stafford in shotgun & empty backfield sets & just throw the ball all over the field. He decided he doesn’t need play action, roll outs (or even a running game apparently) to move the ball efficiently. He was/is wrong.

The Rams offense/special teams gifted the Packers 20 pts today via 1) Stafford’s fumble at the Rams 6, 2) a missed 4th down conversion at their own 29, 3) a punt return fumble at their own 27 & 4) Stafford’s pick-6!

Those 4 turnovers in their own territory resulted in 20 pts. The D gave up 16 pts outside those turnovers that gave GB the ball in scoring position each time. What the hell do you expect from them? The D only gave up 13 pts on the 3 non-pick-6 turnovers, which is pretty damn good

considering GB got the ball at the Rams 6, 29, & 27 yard lines. That’s 9 points if the Packers go 3 & out each time, lol, & the Rams held them to 13, & the 1 TD they gave up was when the Packers got the ball at the Rams 6! The offense lost this game plain & simple.

darious williams

2020 – ranked #4 among 121 corners
2021 – ranks #74 among 118 corners

per pff.

— roberto clemente (@rclemente2121) November 28, 2021

stafford
5 turnovers in last 8.5 quarters.
which were converted into 5 tds (35 points).
no bueno.

— roberto clemente (@rclemente2121) November 28, 2021

Henderson has almost 600 yards but the @RamsNFL run game is ranked 23rd. Is their run game actually effective despite the ranking.

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
It probably would be if McVay used it more. Falling behind last two games did not help.

Is the problem the o-line or the scheme? Why does McVay hesitate to run the ball?

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
I don’t think it’s the O-line. McVay leans toward moving the ball through the air.

Obj up to speed on the playbook?

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
Not the whole thing, obviously. But I’m sure he’s well-versed in some specific packages.

Whew, the Rams are now -2.5 against the Packers after opening as 1.5-point underdogs two weeks ago.

Who ya got? I like the Rams in this one with the Packers being so banged up https://t.co/mYXRzjQv3K

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) November 28, 2021

LA Rams' vet OLB Leonard Floyd faced passing the NFL concussion protocol and then got sick to boot.
But… he's back, and ready to go.#LARams #LARvsGB #NFLNews #LeonardFloyd
(via @milroyigglesfan) https://t.co/6sqYefqNfp pic.twitter.com/4Vv2nwQcwR

— Ramblin' Fan (@RamblinFan) November 27, 2021

DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR]@DowntownRams
Can’t think of a game where winning in the red zone is going to be more important:

Red Zone D:

Packers – 73.3% (30th)
Rams – 54.6% (11th)

Red Zone Off:

Packers – 54.8% (24th)
Rams – 60% (14th)

Rams Wire@TheRamsWire
Von Miller says rushing the passer with Aaron Donald is like Shaq and Kobe playing together on the Lakers.