4 areas of improvement for Rams in 2nd half of 2023 season
It has been a disappointing start to the 2023 season for the Los Angeles Rams, who own a 3-6 record entering their bye week in Week 10.
The Rams are currently on a three-game losing streak after falling to the Green Bay Packers 20-3 in Week 9.
The positive news for the Rams is that Matthew Stafford could return in Week 11, and Kyren Williams is expected back in Week 12.
The Rams must make changes on both sides of the ball in the final stretch of the season, even with Stafford and Williams expected to return in the coming weeks.
These four areas are areas where the Rams could use improvement in the hopes of displaying signs of improvement in the second half of the season.
When Stafford has started under center for the Rams this season, they’ve been one of the best first-half offenses in the league. If you remove the Week 9 contest where Brett Rypien started at quarterback, the Rams are ninth in EPA per play (0.102) in the first half of games. The success rate of the offense is 46.9% in the first two quarters, which is 10th in the NFL.
On the other hand, the Rams’ EPA per play (-0.048) drops them to 14th place in the second half of games (including overtime).
After that, the offense’s success rate collapses to 41.7% in the last three quarters, ranking 19th in the NFL. With Stafford projected to return in Week 11, the Rams need to start putting together a full four quarters of consistent offense.
The passing game
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: On October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas, Los Angeles Rams #9 Matthew Stafford warms up before playing the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
We’ve seen Stafford make plenty of throws this season that prove he can still toss the ball with the best of them.
At the same time, the Rams are still 16th in dropback EPA (0.033) despite having a talented receiver trio of Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Tutu Atwell. While some fans always want the Rams to stick to the ground game, the Rams should lean more into airing it out once Stafford returns.
Despite Darrell Henderson Jr. and Royce Freeman substituting for an injured Williams in the last three games, the Rams are 25th in the league in neutral pass rate since Week 6.
McVay should start giving Stafford targets Kupp, Nacua, and Atwell early downs instead of wasting them on running the ball in order to create a rhythm in the aerial attack.
Lack of a pass rush
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 5: In the third quarter of a game at Lambeau Field on November 5, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers tries to elude a tackle by Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams.
It was well-documented that the Rams could boast a below-average pass-rushing unit this season following the release of Leonard Floyd, along with the departures of Greg Gaines and A’Shawn Robinson. Aaron Donald is still productive despite commanding double teams often, but the other members of the Rams have struggled to generate consistent pressure in one-on-one matchups.
The Rams are currently tied for the 10th-fewest sacks in the league (19), with Donald and rookie Byron Young combining for 10.5 sacks.
Michael Hoecht has been ineffective as an edge rusher, so it would be worthwhile for the Rams to see what they have in Ochaun Mathis and Nick Hampton moving forward.
Getting production from Kobie Turner would also be a positive sight for the Rams to finish the season.
