All things considered, the Los Angeles Rams had a successful 2024 campaign. They won the NFC West, made it out of the first round of the playoffs, and lost only to the Super Bowl champions. However, the year was far from perfect. In one way, it was disappointing.
According to Warren Sharp in a post on X, the Rams had the 23rd-worst explosive play differential. These were plays in which they either earned 15+ yards on offense or surrendered 15+ yards on defense.
The Rams were -7, which meant they surrendered more explosive plays than they earned, averaging a net loss of one explosive play almost every other game.
While there have been plenty of reasons for the team to pat themselves on the back concerning how things went in 2024, this was not one of them. Several team members will be responsible for fixing the issue, starting with the play callers.
Sean McVay Leads List Of Los Angeles Rams Contributors In Need To Step Up
While one can point fingers up and down the roster to help reverse the Los Angeles Rams’ explosive play differential woes, it starts with the play design and the scheme. If the scheme doesn’t aim for the stars, it will never hit them. To be truly explosive on offense, the team needs to be able to set up knockout blows and call many more shots down the field.
It also falls on execution with certain players, including the wide receivers, breaking open down the field.
Perhaps above all, it falls on the offensive line to allow for deep shots to develop. Matthew Stafford has proven to be able to hit plays down the field for the Rams, but he needs time in the pocket.
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The unit has already been hit with questions about Alaric Jackson’s availability due to blood clots, which isn’t the best way to start to attack the explosive play differential issue, but McVay will need to find a way to overcome.
Defensively, it partly falls on defensive coordinator Chris Shula, but more than that, it falls on the secondary. The cornerbacks will need to tighten up against their matchups. If the cornerbacks fail on occasion, it falls on the safeties to back them up.
This year, Darious Williams, Kamren Curl, Quentin Lake, Kamren Kitchens, and Ahkello Witherspoon need to work in sync to lock up the best receivers every week. Of course, every member of the secondary will play a role, but if the first few reads can be locked up for the opposing quarterback, it will be a great way to stop the deep explosive passes.
If they can’t stop opposing receivers, the Los Angeles Rams offense will have a tough time earning more explosive plays than the defense gives up.
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The run defense was also woefully bad in 2024. Just look at what Saquon Barkley did against the unit in two matchups.
Will the secondary be able to tighten up in Shula’s second year? Will the Rams be able to turn their offense from throwing poppers to grenades in 2025? Conversely, will the run defense be able to tighten up?
These are all very important questions that will have answers soon enough.