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PFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
The #LARams rank No. 2 in PFF’s offensive line power ranks and fifth in combined Pass-Blocking efficiency with an 88.3==
The Pittsburgh Steelers have the best offensive line in the NFL through nine weeks.
See our full 1-32 rankings below:https://t.co/TL52IgGIaT
(via @PFF_Mike) pic.twitter.com/gCkpMXXAIY
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 7, 2018
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Right guard Austin Blythe isn’t only the biggest surprise performer on the Rams; he’s the biggest surprise performer in the NFL. The former seventh-round pick had played all of 285 snaps in his career across two different franchises before this season. In those, he allowed more pressures (13) than he has in 607 snaps so far this season (12). His 80.2 overall grade is the second-best among guards in the NFL.
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The highest graded offensive tackles in the NFL through nine weeks. pic.twitter.com/dAy5RaCzCo
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 7, 2018
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The 5 highest graded offensive tackles in the NFL through nine weeks.
Rams field 2 of them on their own OL, and played against the other 3 in the last 2 games.
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Go heavy or spread them out? NFL’s two best run-blocking teams getting it done differently
PFF
Running back talk is provocative nowadays. It gets the people going. Statements like, “Todd Gurley should win MVP” are sure to generate strong opinions on both sides. Our own Eric Eager recently did an excellent job of laying out why Gurley, nor any running back, is the most valuable player in the NFL.
Part of the reason why is that their success as a runner is tied very closely to the effectiveness of the men blocking for them. Gurley, or any other running back, can only do so much if they are constantly being met by defenders in the backfield, i.e. 2016 Gurley.
That being said, any team in the NFL that is looking to have success running the ball is best suited to acquire successful run blockers and build from there. Currently, the two best teams in terms of PFF team run-blocking grades are the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers with grades of 78.7 and 73.4, respectively. The interesting thing about those two teams residing on top is that they sit on the extremes as far as how often they run the ball out of personnel groups that contain three or four wide receivers.
Taking out plays such as end-arounds, reverses, quarterback sneaks, etc., the Rams have run the ball a league-high 211 times out of formations with three or more wide receivers. Gurley has run 100 percent of his attempts out of ‘11’ personnel with three wide receivers, one tight end and one running back (Gurley) on the field.
To put in perspective just how unique that is, Gurley has recorded all 181 of his rushing attempts, excluding his jet sweep, on plays with three or more wide receivers on the field. The running back closest to him through Week 9 in such attempts is James Conner with 82. Not only is he running more in three or four wide receiver looks, but he has nearly 100 more attempts than anyone else.
And if you think about it, the logic behind doing so makes sense – spread out the defense and manufacture less stacked boxes and more open space for your talented running back to operate. That appears to hold true in general. The league-average yards per carry jumps from 3.92 yards with two or fewer wide receivers on the field to 4.67 yards per carry with three or more wide receivers on the field.
Now obviously there are many more short-yardage situations that have fewer wide receivers on the field, but even taking out plays with two or fewer yards to go for a first down, the yards per carry average only rises up to 4.08 yards in those heavier looks.
Running the ball isn’t a big mover of the needle and is significantly less important than being able to effectively pass the football, but the Rams appear to have found an edge in running the ball. They are doing so efficiently this season behind the top run-blocking unit in the league.
The 49ers, on the other hand, have run just 37 times out of formations with three or more wide receivers on the field. That is the fewest in the NFL by over 20 plays. And yet, there they sit with the third-most team rushing yards per game and the second-best PFF team run-blocking grade in the NFL. Why do they run so few plays with two wide receivers on the field? Kyle Juszczyk.
The fullback is a dying breed in the NFL, but Juszczyk is one of the few exceptions who finds himself on the field often on offense. He has seen 364 offensive snaps for the 49ers this season; no other fullback has played over 200.
He’s shown himself to be an effective run-blocker with only Zach Line of the New Orleans Saints having a better run-blocking grade at the position this season. He joins the budding star George Kittle at tight end, who, along with his success as a receiver, has been a very good run-blocker. Kittle’s run-blocking grade of 72.7 ranks in the top-five of tight ends this season.
With those two lining up so often on runs, there is hardly ever room for three wide receivers on the field. It’s a different strategy than what the Rams have employed on rushing attempts, but it’s been working. Matt Breida is averaging 5.65 yards per carry on the second-most attempts with two or fewer wide receivers on the field, and Raheem Mostert is averaging 8.41 yards per carry on such runs, which is the most among any runner with at least 25 attempts.
Despite the spread looks generating more success league-wide overall, there are some other top running backs that have been more successful with an extra tight end or fullback on the field. One such running back is Ezekiel Elliott, who has averaged 3.9 yards per rush with three wide receivers on the field and 5.4 yards per attempt with two or fewer.
Another similar case among one of the league’s leading rushers is Melvin Gordon III. Gordon sits just below Mostert with 6.0 yards per carry in heavier looks compared to 4.6 yards per carry with three-plus wideouts.
The Rams are finding an edge by reducing stacked boxes and letting Gurley run into space behind one of the elite offensive lines in the league, but what the 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys have shown is that extra blockers are effective as well when used correctly.
The top-two teams in the league in terms of run-blocking grade do it out of different formations, but they do it well. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see if more teams follow the Rams’ lead and run the ball at a high rate out of ’11’ personnel.
California wildfires affect practices for Rams, Raiders
Lindsey Thiry
Paul GutierrezThe Los Angeles Rams canceled practice and the Oakland Raiders were limited to just a walkthrough because of raging wildfires in California on Friday.
The Rams’ top priority was to ensure the safety of players, coaches, staff members and their families, many of whom live in Ventura and Los Angeles county communities where an estimated 75,000 homes have been placed under evacuation orders because of the Woolsey Fire.
“We just felt like the most important thing was for the guys to be with their families, their wives and their kids and be that support structure and do things the right way and not have them come in and be totally distracted like I know I would be if I was in their role,” coach Sean McVay said.
Firefighters from various departments work to protect structures Friday as the Woolsey Fire moves through Agoura Hills, which is where the Rams’ business headquarters are located. The team trains in nearby Thousand Oaks and had to cancel practice Friday. Matthew Simmons/Getty ImagesForty-five people in the organization, including 20 players and coaches, were evacuated from their homes.
Meanwhile, the Raiders, affected by poor air quality stemming from the Camp Fire in Northern California, also adjusted their schedule from what was scheduled to be a full practice.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he “did not know” if the air quality might affect Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I just hope that the fires go away,” Gruden said. “I’m more concerned about a lot of people that are being impacted by this. We’ll react to whatever the circumstances are [regarding the game]. Let’s hope that, you know, this ends fast.”
McVay said he realized the Rams’ plans for the day would need to be altered when he was a on a text-message chain with coaches around 3 a.m. Friday, and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and defensive line coach Bill Johnson said they had to leave their homes.
McVay said, to his knowledge, no homes belonging to members of the organization had caught fire.
The Rams’ practice facility at California Lutheran University has been unaffected by the fire.
The Rams (8-1) are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks (4-4) at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Sunday. The Coliseum, located 55 miles southeast of the practice facility, is unlikely to be affected by the fires or resulting poor air quality, but team executives have been in communication with the NFL in case the situation were to change.
McVay said the Rams are scheduled to hold a Saturday morning meeting at the team hotel in Los Angeles, and that they will hold a 75-minute practice on the campus of the University of Southern California.
Elsewhere, the San Francisco 49ers moved Friday’s practice in Santa Clara up an hour because of the air quality being affected by smoke. The team remains in contact with the NFL ahead of Monday night’s game against the New York Giants.
“I’ve got to [pay attention to the wildfires]; I’ve got kids,” Niners cornerback Richard Sherman said. “They’re at school and I just talked to my wife, making sure they’re not letting them go outside. Some of these schools, you would think it’s common sense, but you’ve got to make sure when people are dealing with your kids. But there’s a lot of crazy stuff going on out there today.”
The devastating fires come a day after a mass shooting that claimed 12 victims at the Borderline Bar and Grill, which is just over 4 miles from the Rams’ practice facility and 7 miles from the team’s headquarters in Agoura Hills.
PFF Week 10 Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams Preview
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-nfl-week-10-fox-seattle-seahawks-los-angeles-rams-preview
Wilson finally getting relief
This season, Russell Wilson is being pressured on 36.0% of his dropbacks, which is on pace to be the lowest mark of his career.
Seahawks running through contact
The Seahawks backfield has accumulated 735 yards after contact this year, the fifth-most among teams.
Seahawks are strong in the red zone
The Seahawks have allowed a passer rating of just 65.8 in the red zone this season. The red-zone matchup with the Rams will be a fascinating affair.
Don’t throw Wagner’s way
Bobby Wagner has been his usual self this year, as he leads all linebackers in contested passes, pass breakups and has logged the most tackles without a miss.
Rams love play action
Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams have thrived on play action this year.
The reliable pass-catchers
The Rams and the Seahawks both have one of the most dependable receiver duos in the NFL.
Donald on another level
Superstar interior defensive lineman Aaron Donald has generated pressure on 22.9% of his pass-rush snaps this year. The Rams offensive line better be ready for a fight.
Rams defense giving up long touchdowns
The Rams defense has been good for the most part, but they have given up several long touchdowns this year.
Key matchup
from https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-2018-pff-nfl-power-rankings-week-10
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LA Rams
Week 10 Ranking: 3
The Rams lost to the Saints in a game that quite often felt on the verge of turning into a blowout. Our win total expectation still predicts about 12.5 wins for the Rams, but their Super Bowl odds have dropped down to 14%. The notable on brand point is that Todd Gurley has only the 7th highest W.A.R on this Rams team. Although Gurley gets the headlines, Jared Goff, his trio of receivers and the stellar defensive performances by Aaron Donald and Nickell Robey-Coleman are what separates this team from the pack. Marcus Peters, on the other hand, has been downright atrocious, posting a -0.56 W.A.R and allowing a passer rating of 145.2 when in coverage.
