The Los Angeles Rams have leaned heavily on 13 personnel (one wide receiver, three tight ends, one running back) in recent weeks, turning it into a cornerstone of their offensive identity. From weeks 7–11, this formation accounted for 41.8% of plays, nearly matching their base 11 personnel usage (53.9%), a significant jump from their season-long 18.5% mark. Tyler Higbee’s recent ankle injury, which landed him on injured reserve, now threatens the continuity of this strategy.
13 Personnel: Efficiency and Effectiveness
During this stretch, 13 personnel produced 12 touchdowns on 107 plays, with an average EPA of +0.162 per play. The formation leaned heavily on the run (64.5% of plays) but also excelled in passing efficiency, completing 67.6% of passes for 6.84 yards per attempt and nine passing touchdowns.
Red zone efficiency highlights its impact: 13 personnel scored touchdowns on 37.9% of red zone plays, more than double the 15.4% rate of 11 personnel. Against blitzes, the formation produced +0.652 EPA and nine touchdowns on 25 plays, underscoring the value of extra tight ends in protection and matchup creation.
Support Local and Independent Sports Writing – Subscribe To the LAFB Network Today!
Tyler Higbee’s Role and Supporting Cast
Higbee was pivotal in 13 personnel, logging 53 of 120 snaps in this package with 57 run blocks, 59 routes, and 15 targets. Davis Allen and Colby Parkinson have also been heavily involved, with 107 and 99 snaps in 13 personnel, respectively. The injury forces a strategic redistribution, with remaining tight ends absorbing Higbee’s balanced role in both blocking and passing. At the same time, the Rams may moderately shift back toward 11 personnel, which has been slightly more efficient per play (+0.185 EPA vs +0.162 EPA), but is nearly solely dependent on lights-out play from Puka Nacua.
This Puka-Flex T-Shirt Is Illegal In Philly
Terrance Ferguson: Can He Step Up in Higbee’s Absence?
Terrance Ferguson has played a supporting but increasingly significant role in 13 personnel, logging 62 of 107 snaps in this formation during weeks 7–11, or roughly 58% of 13 personnel plays. His usage has been split between 40 run blocks and 40 routes, with 5 receptions on 11 targets, highlighting his versatility as both a blocker and a receiving option.
A four-year starter at Oregon under offensive coordinator Will Stein, Ferguson lined up 42% of his snaps in the slot and 40.5% in-line or wing, often serving as a blocker before releasing as a target. This mirrors the dual responsibilities Higbee handled in 13 personnel. Ferguson’s athleticism—honed as a high school basketball player—allows him to generate yards after the catch, with 25.6% of his senior season receptions going for 20+ yards. While his blocking technique requires refinement, Ferguson has consistently found ways to stalemate defenders.
Still, questions remain. Higbee’s absence removes a proven multi-faceted tight end, and Ferguson’s ability to sustain both run-blocking and receiving efficiency at this level is unproven. The next few weeks will be a critical test of whether Ferguson can rise into a high-leverage role or whether the Rams must lean more heavily on Parkinson and Allen.
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Rams YouTube Channel
Strategic Implications
The Rams’ run-heavy 13 personnel has been especially effective in outside zone concepts (+0.184 EPA, two touchdowns) but struggled on counter plays (-0.345 EPA). Motion usage within 13 personnel increases efficiency (+0.173 EPA vs +0.158 EPA without motion), highlighting how McVay manipulates alignment to gain advantages.
Ultimately, 13 personnel has become the Rams’ “money formation,” responsible for 75% of their red zone touchdowns despite representing only 41.8% of total plays. Higbee’s absence poses a challenge, but the team’s tight end depth and strategic flexibility should allow them to maintain multi-tight end concepts while adjusting personnel to preserve efficiency.
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Rams YouTube Channel