If for no other reason than the freakish health the Rams had over 2017-2018, it was going to happen. And things like their fumble recovery rate, which was much higher than average last year, shows the ball literally bounced their way more last year than this year. And yes, the Super Bowl loss thing factors in.
Specific to scoring offense (excluding defense and special teams scoring), the Rams under McVay:
2017- 26.4 ppg
2018- 28.7 ppg
2019- 21.2 ppg
So yeah, they have stepped back offensively. In very large part because they went from having one of the top 3 (and again healthiest) offensive lines in the league to probably one of the bottom 5. And they've also stepped back on special teams in my opinion. Hekker's net punting average is way down and Zuerlein's FG% is his worst since his rookie year. I still love him and want him extended but between 40-49 yards this year he is 4-of-9.
But they've hardly collapsed. They have a top 5-6 defense. And as others have pointed out both the division and their schedule have been stronger than in the two seasons past. Right now while they are on the outside of the playoffs this still appears to be a top-10 team (top 12 at worst). Gurley is getting more touches. The new OL lineup is at least better than what they had early this season. There is a BIG gap between them and the top 2-3 teams in the league to which I say, yeah, OK.
I doubt they make the playoffs too. 9-7 and
maybe 10-6 is most likely. But this team has a lot going for it.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/2019 03:19AM by LMU93.
