Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line graded third-highest in NFL through two games by Pro Football Focus
Sep 20, 2018
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Through two games, the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line has played spectacularly. LT Andrew Whitworth, LG Rodger Saffold, C John Sullivan, RG Austin Blythe and RT Rob Havenstein have made the offensive outputs possible in both the run and passing games.
So it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see them ranked third overall in the entire NFL at this point by Pro Football Focus:
Left Tackle: Andrew Whitworth, 75.4
Left Guard: Rodger Saffold, 78.7
Center: John Sullivan, 63.0
Right Guard: Austin Blythe, 77.1
Right Tackle: Rob Havenstein, 77.8
If you thought the Rams’ offensive line would take a step back with aging veterans at left tackle and center, you’re sorely mistaken through two weeks. Not only does the team currently have the highest run-block grade of any line in the league, but Los Angeles’ big men have the highest pass-block grade, as well. One of the pleasant surprises along the line has been right guard Austin Blythe, who is filling in for Jamon Brown. Blythe currently ranks fourth among qualifying guards in overall grade and has allowed just one pressure in two games.
The most impressive part about this? The lack of a weak point. Sullivan’s grade of 63.0, the lowest of the five, is the highest grade in the entire NFL from each team’s lowest-graded player. So while many linemen around the league grade out higher than Saffold’s 78.7, the highest Rams OL grade, they play on teams that have weaker points than Sullivan. PFF’s #1 overal line, the New Orleans Saints’, has two players graded in the 80s, but LG Andrus Peat earned a 58.6 grade. The Philadelphia Eagles’ line at #2 had two players in the 50s.
So this isn’t a line being held up by one or two guys. It’s a joint success. The question is if they can keep it up.
