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Speed_Kills
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It specifically references 2018 and 2017 when the Rams oline was the best in football
Getting it done on the road
Goff’s home/road splits have been extremely volatile. In 2017, he was just decent at home (17th among qualifiers in passer rating); on the road, he was one of the best quarterbacks in football (2nd in passer rating).
In 2018, those splits flipped dramatically. As noted earlier, Goff performed historically well at home. However, on the road, Goff was one of the least productive quarterbacks in the league, completing 157 of 258 passes (60.9 percent) for 1,951 yards (7.6 per attempt) and 10 touchdowns. He threw nine interceptions, tied for fourth most in the league. On the road, he had a passer rating of 82.7, ranking 28th among the 34 quarterbacks with at least 100 passing attempts on the road.
Goff’s worst road trip was easily the Rams’ Week 14 visit to Chicago against the Bears’ top-ranked defense. Goff completed 20 of 44 passes for 180 yards and no touchdowns, tossing a career-high four interceptions. He averaged only 4.1 yards per attempt and earned a passer rating of 19.1. Since the turn of the century, that stands as the third-worst passer rating posted by a quarterback to throw at least 40 passes.
Passing under pressure
In addition to his road woes, that game in Chicago highlighted Goff’s other major issue: throwing under pressure.
The Bears' pass rush was downright unstoppable that night, and Goff had no answer. Chicago pressured Goff an astonishing total of 25 times. On those plays, Goff completed just 8 of 22 passes for 88 yards (an ugly 4.0 yards per attempt), throwing three interceptions and taking three sacks.
Goff’s difficulties dealing with pressure that night were a shining example of a weakness he displayed all season. When pressured, Goff completed 68 of 157 passes (43.3 percent) for 913 yards (5.8 per attempt), five touchdowns and five interceptions. Goff’s passer rating under pressure of 59.8 ranked 29th of the 39 quarterbacks with at least 150 total dropbacks last season.
The Rams had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL last season, so Goff did not have to work often under heavy pressure. However, when he did, the results were usually disappointing. Chicago was a prime example. On this play, something happens that Goff is certainly not used to –- his superstar left tackle, Andrew Whitworth, is beaten. In a battle of beasts, it’s Chicago’s all-world pass rusher, Khalil Mack, earning the victory. Mack slips between Whitworth and left guard Rodger Saffold to get to Goff. The quarterback does not feel the pressure from his blindside, and Mack knocks the football out from behind. The Rams recover, but they take five-yard loss on second down.
That play highlights another Goff issue: fumbling. He was tied for the NFL lead with 12 fumbles last season. Five of those were lost, tying him for the fifth-highest total in the league.
In the Super Bowl against the Patriots, Goff also struggled while under pressure, completing four of 14 passes for 47 yards (3.4 per attempt). He was sacked four times, and his passer rating was 11.3.
Goff is one of the most talented young passers in the NFL, but to secure his place among the league’s elite QBs, he must do a better job staying cool under pressure.
Michael Nania writes about the NFL, focusing mainly on statistical analysis. His work can also be found at Gang Green Nation and Elite Sports New York. On Twitter, Michael can be found @Michael_Nania.
