Quote
PeoriaRa
I have no evidence to support this - just a theory.
Obviously a team cannot be superior in every area - not with a salary cap. I have wondered over recent years if the analytics just show that success running does not correlate closely with winning - and our brain trust has decided to optimize the team against the pass at the cost of stopping the run. Because the analytics show that stopping the run effectively does not lead to more wins as much as other competencies. Analytics often uncover trends that run counter to what you eyes tell you watching the game.
In the last two years, have we lost a single game based largely on a failure to stop the run?
On the other hand, I may just be giving our FO too much credit.
First off yes the Rams have lost games based largely on failure to stop the run. The first example that comes to mind is the Atlanta playoff game.
Second off Wade's defenses historically can be good against the run (though not always). His 2015 Denver defense was 3rd in rushing yards and 1st in yards per rushing attempt allowed, for example. The fact that they fixed things in the playoffs last year and improved against the run was part of what made their superbowl campaign work. An example--in the regular season, the Rams allowed 4.2 yards a carry against the Saints, which is mediocre. In the playoff game, they allowed 2.3 yards per carry against the Saints. So they obviously fixed what was a regular season problem.
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