It’s roughly 24 hours after the Los Angeles Rams Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and it still stings. The Rams had Philly exactly where they wanted them but failed to hold a 26-7 lead. The Eagles came back to take the contest 33-26, and blocked the would-be game-winning field goal in the game’s final moments.
Let’s take a moment to point fingers while we feel deflated. Who should shoulder the blame for this loss?
Top five grades on offense
1 – Puka Nacua, WR: 83.8
The Rams have PFF’s top-graded receiver with more than five offensive snaps this
season in Nacua. Through three games he’s caught 29 of 35 targets for 333 yards. He’s also been productive on the ground, where he’s scored his only touchdown.
It’s clear that Nacua is LA’s best offensive player and the engine of the offense. The third-year receiver is a much more efficient target than Davante Adams, who’s caught only 13 of 28 targets (46.4%) and is four of 11 in contested catch situations.
2 – Kyren Williams, RB: 80.0
Let’s take Williams and Corum together. This was one of the first times we’ve seen this duo share the workload, even though Williams did get the majority of the work.
- Williams: 20 carries for 94 yards (4.7 avg); 66 yards after contact (3.3 avg); four missed tackles forced
- Corum: 8 carries for 53 yards (6.6 avg); 25 yards after contact (3.1 avg); zero missed tackles forced
Both backs were effective in this game. Corum did give the offense a boost while spelling Williams to create production that wasn’t readily blocked for him.
3 – Kevin Dotson, RG: 76.2
Doston and Alaric Jackson were far and away LA’s most reliable linemen. Rob Havenstein had a rough outing at RT. While Dotson fared well, he did only play 58 of 66 offensive snaps and was replaced by Beaux Limmer. More to come on the offensive linemen not named Dotson, Jackson, or Havenstein.
4 – Blake Corum, RB: 69.8
5 – Matthew Stafford, QB: 69.2
While Stafford made the top five in offensive grading, this was easily he worst game of the young season. Stafford tossed a pick early to give the Eagles strong starting field position and gifted them their only offensive production of the entire first half. The veteran finished with one big-time throw, one turnover-worthy play, and an adjusted completion rate of just 64.5%. He left a lot of meat on the bone in this game.
Stafford entered Week 3 as PFF’s top graded starting QB. He’s now third behind Sam Darnold and Dak Prescott. It’s concerning to see Stafford’s best game so far come in the opener and watch his performances trail off with each coming week. Can he buck this pattern in Week 4?
- Week 1: 93.8 passing grade; 5 BTT’s, 0 TWP’s
- Week 2: 77.0 passing grade; 2 BTT’s; 2 TWP’s
- Week 3: 68.0 passing grade; 1 BTT; 1 TWP
Other notes on offense
The interior offensive line graded as low as I’ve ever seen in a game, although they faced a tough matchup in Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Jalen Carter.
- Coleman Shelton: 57.6 run blocking; 23.3 pass blocking (holding call negated a touchdown)
- Beaux Limmer (8 snaps): 53.4 run blocking; 0.0 pass blocking
- Justin Dedich: 49.9 run blocking; 0.0 pass blocking
It’s rare to see a lineman play an entire game—like Dedich—and earn a zero PFF pass blocking grade. Steve Avila must get healthy quick to send Dedich back to the bench, and the Rams need Kevin Dotson to stay on the field so we don’t see much more of Limmer.
Top five grades on defense
1 – Quentin Lake, DB: 91.2
Lake posted the best grade of his career last week against the Tennessee Titans and he surpassed that mark again versus the Eagles. While he was flagged for defensive pass interference in the end zone setting up Philly’s first score, he was LA’s best coverage player the remainder of the game and recorded four pass breakups.
When targeted in coverage seven times, Lake allowed just three receptions for 15 yards and a passer rating of 50.3.
2 – Poona Ford, DT: 85.5
It’s no secret that Poona Ford was brought in as a key free agent addition for one reason: stop Saquon Barkley.
He played a major role in bottling up the star running back and holding him to just 46 yards on 18 carries (2.6). Ford also flashed some juice as a pass rusher and earned two pressures on only 17 passing snaps.
3 – Jared Verse, EDGE: 81.5
While Byron Young had been LA’s best pass rusher through the first two weeks, Jared Verse demonstrated in Philadelphia that he is still the top dog. He led the Rams with six pressures (they had 21 in total) and no one else had more than three. Verse did not miss a tackle in this game, which is something he’s battled to start the year. He made four run stops.
4 – Tyler Davis, DT: 77.8
Davis drew an important role with Braden Fiske battling an oblique injury that held him to only 25 snaps (18 vs pass). Davis played 32 snaps with 20 coming in run defense—and he finished with an impressive mark in this facet of 80.7.
The Rams are realizing they have another gem on the interior defensive line with Davis in his second season.
5 – Nate Landman, MLB: 72.7
Landman recovered his second fumble in as many weeks following a strip sack by Verse. More impressive was the fact he earned a PFF coverage grade of 74.7, and this is something we’ve rarely seen Rams LB’s do well in recent years. Through three weeks Landman has a coverage grade of 88.4 (!).
Other notes on defense
It was a rough day at the office for the Rams corners, though anyone who watched the game would come away with that observation.
- Darious Williams: 2 catches on 3 targets for 34 yards and a touchdown (25 snaps)
- Cobie Durant: 3 catches on 4 targets for 62 yards (52 snaps)
- Emmanuel Forbes: 4 catches on 5 targets for 46 yards and a touchdown, one PBU (55 snaps)
