What's different? 2024 / 2025

[PARAM]

Last year we were 4-4 through 8 games; this year we're 6-2. We've added Davante Adams, Coleman Shelton and Terrance Ferguson. Ferguson is finally seeing targets as the first 6 weeks he saw 1 and the last 2 weeks he's seen 6. On defense we've added Poona Ford, Nate Landman and Emanual Forbes is playing a larger role after his acquisition last year.

A big difference is the way we start games. Last year we scored 13 points in the first quarter through the first 8 games. This year, 41. Last year we allowed 49 first quarter points, this year 23. But our offense is playing even better than those numbers suggest. Last year our offense scored 13 first quarter points and 37 in the second quarter (our defense scored 13 second quarter points). This year they've scored 41 and 59 or exactly twice as much in the first half.

Some other factors are our performance on 3rd down has improved slightly. Last year it was 34% (16 of 47) in the first half, 43% this year (19 of 44). We turned the ball over 9 times last year through the first 8 games and this year just 7. We had 11 takeaways last year and this year we have 12. Complimenting that improvement, coming out of the locker room we've scored 52 and allowed only 23 in the 3rd quarter. Last year it was 47 scored and 51 allowed.

Time of possession isn't as important as what you do with the time you possess the ball. Last year we won the TOP 4 times and were 1-3. We lost the TOP and went 3-1. This year we've won the TOP 3 times and we're 3-0. We're 3-2 when we lose the TOP. As far as what you do with it, the Red Zone numbers are greatly improved on both sides of the ball and definitely another big reason for our turnaround. Last year we were 14 of 27 in the RZ over the first 8 games and allowed 13 of 28. This year we're 21 of 35 and have allowed 9 of 23 (FWIW, defensively that's good enough for #2 in the NFL). Huge.

 

[Pupped]

I love this kind of post.. good stuff.

I'm not trying to be overly reductive.. but I think that does a great job of laying out some of the key differences.. but I just think health and depth are the biggest reasons for the differences this year.

 

[PARAM]

I love this kind of post.. good stuff.

I'm not trying to be overly reductive.. but I think that does a great job of laying out some of the key differences.. but I just think health and depth are the biggest reasons for the differences this year.

Or....health and depth are the biggest reasons for those numbers.

 

[Merlin]

1. Stafford is hyper focused this season. He has the same look he had during our playoff run. I think his form is the single greatest difference.

2. Weapon quality in the pass game. One thing about Stafford is when you give him better weapons you feel the difference. OBJ was a revelation during the title run. We're seeing the same difference with addition of Adams thus far as well as TE emergence with Allen and Ferg.

3. OL is better at this point than it was at this point last season. They still started slow, but we're seeing them round into form now.

4. Run defense is night and day. This defense can put teams into third and long and then tee off. Only weakness has been the corners, but we should be at our strongest as the December sched hits.

If you look at title metrics mid-season I think the best indicator of playoff success is a stingy defense. Generally a team that can finish sub 20ppg gives themselves a strong chance. Then the rare defenses are below 16ppg. Rams are currently at 15.9ppg, only Houston has been better and they have shit offense.

Rams look like a Super Bowl contender. They're a final four quality team no doubt about it.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Run defense

#1 in fewest explosive run plays.

We keep that side of the ball in check.

 

[Pupped]

Or....health and depth are the biggest reasons for those numbers.

lol.. exactly. I was just trying not to minimize the achievements.

 

[Steve808]

I noticed that now, McVay isn't trying to force the run game around the goal line. He's letting the ball stay in Stafford's hands more often and the results show why Stafford is a HOFer. BY doing this, it also opens up the running lanes for Kyren and Corum.

 

[Merlin]

By the way Center play... One thing Shelton kicks ass at are combo blocks in the run game. Where he'll get a quick duo with Avila or Dotson then slide to his assignment. And it's why our interior run game is so healthy right now with Avila and Dotson both healthy.

Allen squares it up too. I mean Higs has always been a good blocker but Allen seems to stand out every game in key blocks. One of the reasons that 13 set is working so well. That first TD vs the Shitters the TEs erased the left side of the formation.

 

[kurtfaulk]

By the way Center play... One thing Shelton kicks ass at are combo blocks in the run game. Where he'll get a quick duo with Avila or Dotson then slide to his assignment. And it's why our interior run game is so healthy right now with Avila and Dotson both healthy.

Allen squares it up too. I mean Higs has always been a good blocker but Allen seems to stand out every game in key blocks. One of the reasons that 13 set is working so well. That first TD vs the Shitters the TEs erased the left side of the formation.

That's how the 4th and 1 should have worked in the first game against the whiners.

.

 

[RamDino]

I think this team played pretty much the same as last year... especially in the beginning of this year. It wasn't until McVay went to 13 personnel did the offense become unstoppable, especially in the red zone. That tight end group is doing an unbelievable job... all of them. And Stafford and Devontae Adams have really hit their stride as well.

 

[TexasRam]

Shelton improved on Limmer.
Adams massively over Kupp
Allen massive improvement on Allen.
Ferguson improvement on Long
Oline depth hugely improved. McClendon and Dedich.
Landman massive improvement on Rozeboom
Ford massive improvement on Brown/whoever
Young massive improvement on Young.
Lake improved on lake
Mcvay improved scheme.

 

[duanevalle22]

1. McVay is a better coach this season with the exception of his corny euro trousers.
2. As stated previously 3rd down efficiency is much better.
3. As stated previously redzone efficiency is much better.
4. Stafford is actually playing 4 quarters of football.

 

[PARAM]

A big difference is the way we start games. Last year we scored 13 points in the first quarter through the first 8 games. This year, 41. Last year we allowed 49 first quarter points, this year 23. But our offense is playing even better than those numbers suggest. Last year our offense scored 13 first quarter points and 37 in the second quarter (our defense scored 13 second quarter points). This year they've scored 41 and 59 or exactly twice as much in the first half.

First 3 possessions yesterday, 3 TDs, 21-0. First half points allowed 7.

Complimenting that improvement, coming out of the locker room we've scored 52 and allowed only 23 in the 3rd quarter. Last year it was 47 scored and 51 allowed.

First 3 possessions of the 2nd half, 3 TDs, 42 points.

Last year we were 14 of 27 in the RZ over the first 8 games and allowed 13 of 28. This year we're 21 of 35 and have allowed 9 of 23 (FWIW, defensively that's good enough for #2 in the NFL). Huge.

RZ yesterday, 5 of 6.
Downside is the defense allowed 4 of 5. I'll forgive them. SF is a well coached team, that views Rams weeks as their Superbowl.

 

[jrry32]

IMO, the two big differences:
1. Defense has continued to play to the level it did late in the season.
2. Adams has proved to be the redzone weapon we hoped he would be, curing some of our ills there.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

1. Consistency on the OL!!
2. Improved ILB and IDL
3. Adams short area route running in the redzone

 

[RamDino]

Just think... a few games ago we had a good but aging tight end, 2 jag TEs, and an inactive rookie TE. Today we have 4 stud TEs. At least they are playing like studs. Very exciting!

 

[thirteen28]

McVay is being much more flexible and creative with the offense. We were in 13 personnel for 30 of 67 snaps yesterday. Because things like that, he is dictating to defenses and forcing them to adjust rather than having it easy by having to plan almost exclusively for 11 personnel. The results are really starting to show, especially in the red zone, which is morphing from a problem area into a strength.

 

[PARAM]

Arizona got to him once. But they are only 25th in sacks (18). We are #8 in sacks with 27 so hopefully we'll fair a little better. Perhaps the bigger question is, can we keep them from sacking Stafford? They have 32 sacks, #2 in the NFL.

Yeah, it's been a lot of fun to watch. We can run. We can pass. And we have 4 TEs who can block and catch!!! Quite the conundrum for defenses. I think 12 is even more imposing than 13. Two TEs, a RB, Davante and Puka. Who you gonna cover? What are you gonna defend? Love Higbee, Allen and Parkinson but I'm waiting for Ferguson to explode.

 

[majrleaged]

First and foremost, Oh I almost broke my own rule. We don't talk about it.
Then the offseason acquisitions.
Those 2 combined to allow over all team improvement and implementation of new schemes.
All of that has unlocked the Soul Stealer that has been lurking, showing himself here and there since 2021, but now has risen to rein terror on all the NFL

 

[Psycho_X]

Well first off, health. The first half of last season was a freaking disaster health wise.

Than on defense, Ford and Landman have completely changed our run defense... we actually have one now not to mention one of if not thee best run defense.

On offense, Davante and using the TEs has given us an actual redzone offense. We've struggled MIGHTILY in the red zone for years now. Suddenly we're one of the best.