In case you haven’t heard by now, the Los Angeles Rams are 9-2 and lead both the NFC West division and NFC conference overall. LA is on a six-game win streak and peaking ahead of the final stretch of the season.
Their 34-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was dominant. It was a total team effort on all three sides of the ball.
Who stood out on an individual level according to the Pro Football Focus (PFF) game grades? Let’s dive in.
Top five grades on offense
1 – Matthew Stafford, QB: 91.5
This was Stafford’s second “elite” grade from PFF on the season and ranks second behind the season opener against the Houston Texans. The veteran signal caller was credited with one big-time throw and did not put the ball in harm’s way for the duration of the game. After accounting for two drops and three throwaways, Stafford had an adjusted completion rate of 84.4%, also his second-best on the year behind only Week 1.
2 – Puka Nacua, WR: 86.3
Nacua caught seven of nine targets for 97 yards with 39 yards coming after the catch point. He continues to be a highly efficient pass catcher in this offense. Sean McVay was able to get Nacua matched up with linebacker Lavonte David on three occasions, and Nacua caught all three targets for 35 yards and three first downs. Kindle Vildor held Nacua catchless on two targets.
3 – Davante Adams, WR: 81.9
Stafford targeted Adams eight times, and the veteran hauled in five catches for 62 yards and two scores. Adams went one for three on contested catch opportunities, something he’s struggled with outside of the red zone. He was credited with one drop (Terrance Ferguson had the other).
Adams primarily faced corner Zyon McCollum and handily won the matchup with four catches on five targets for 52 yards and both scores.
4 – Colby Parkinson, TE: 77.3
Parkinson hauled in all four of his targets for 41 yards and a touchdown. 35 of his yards (85%) came after the catch, which is an encouraging sign for the Rams in their replacement of Tyler Higbee. Higbee was often used on screens and catch and run plays, and Parkinson seems to be the primary beneficiary in the veteran’s absence. Two of Parkinson’s catches came against Lavonte David in coverage, including his touchdown.
5 – Alaric Jackson, LT: 74.9
The grades indicate that Jackson had a better night in the run game (84.4) than in pass protection (72.8 with two pressures and a penalty). He was still the highest graded lineman for LA on a night where the unit played very well and kept Stafford clean.
Other notes on offense
Warren McClendon continues to play well when given the opportunity. He drew a PFF grade of 74.4 with a 76.0 pass blocking grade and an effort in the run of 70.4. McClendon allowed one a single pressure in pass protection on a night where the Rams overall gave up five.
The Rams are in good hands with McClendon now that Rob Havenstein is slated to miss at least three more games.
Top five grades on defense
1 – Emmanuel Forbes, CB: 92.4
2 – Cobie Durant, CB: 90.6
In a stark turnaround from the beginning of the season, the Rams now enjoy a formidable corner duo on the outside between Forbes and Durant.
Durant intercepted a bobbled catch by Cade Otton and returned 50 yards for a touchdown to put LA up 14-0. He was stingy in coverage and allowed just three receptions on five targets for five yards with a pass breakup. This was good for a passer rating of just 25.0.
Even more impressive was Forbes’ consistent and flashy night. The former first round pick was targeted eight times and did not allow a single reception. He broke up four passes and intercepted a Baker Mayfield hail mary just before the half. Opposing quarterbacks would have a better passer rating if they spiked the ball on every play.
3 – Kobie Turner, DT: 87.3
Turner was solid against the Bucs in the run and pass games. He earned four pressures as a rusher, which was tied for third on the defense. Turner made four run stops and played an important role in bottling up Tampa Bay’s run game.
4 – Braden Fiske, DT: 84.4
Fiske tied for the team lead in pressures with five (Jared Verse also had five). This was possibly the best run defense game of Fiske’s career according to PFF, although he played only ten snaps on such plays. It was a strong outing for Fiske even though the box score will reflect a relatively quiet evening for him.
5 – Jaylen McCollough, DB: 81.0
Maybe it’s inaccurate to say that Josh Wallace and Roger McCreary would replace Quentin Lake one to one. McCollough played 33 snaps which is the most he’s been on the field four since the team’s Week 7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also played 30 snaps last week against the Seattle Seahawks, of which Lake left early in the game with an elbow injury.
In coverage McCollough allowed just three catches on four targets for nine yards with a PBU.
Other notes on defense
If you are counting on Josh Wallace replacing Quentin Lake, you might need to rethink things after his starting debut against the Bucs. Wallace was the Rams’ 18th graded defender out of 23 plays—and his 64.1 grade was bolstered by a 90.9 grade on a single pass rush opportunity. In coverage Wallace was targeted three times, allowing two receptions for 10 yards. He also was responsible for two penalties, of which one erased a sack by Byron Young.
