How concerned should LAR be?

[BStanRamFan]

We've become the Steelers of the NFC in the sense that our margin for error is so thin. We will win games if we jump out to an early lead. If we dig ourselves a hole, as Stafford has done in 3 straight with his turnovers, then we've proven we cannot stop the run or protect the middle of the field.

This is not the same defense of last year. Raheem Morris does not make mid game adjustment like Staley did. Ramsey is playing some weird, "star" role that doesn't have him shadow teams best WR, and our ILB Troy Reeder, is flat out awful. Once the opposing team has the lead, McVay gets tunnel vision and goes for big play after big play and Stafford either turns it over, gets clobbered, or misses the throw. Oh and Andrew Whitworth is starting to show his age.

Short Answer: If we can stop getting down by 2 scores in the 1Q, we're fine. Still a WC team that should make some noise, but having such razor thin margins for error remove us from the upper echelon on NFL teams at the moment.

Oh, Robert Woods hurt ALOT. On the field and in the locker room.

[Hunter2_1]

3 minutes ago, BStanRamFan said:

We've become the Steelers of the NFC in the sense that our margin for error is so thin. We will win games if we jump out to an early lead. If we dig ourselves a hole, as Stafford has done in 3 straight with his turnovers, then we've proven we cannot stop the run or protect the middle of the field.

This is not the same defense of last year. Raheem Morris does not make mid game adjustment like Staley did. Ramsey is playing some weird, "star" role that doesn't have him shadow teams best WR, and our ILB Troy Reeder, is flat out awful. Once the opposing team has the lead, McVay gets tunnel vision and goes for big play after big play and Stafford either turns it over, gets clobbered, or misses the throw. Oh and Andrew Whitworth is starting to show his age.

Short Answer: If we can stop getting down by 2 scores in the 1Q, we're fine. Still a WC team that should make some noise, but having such razor thin margins for error remove us from the upper echelon on NFL teams at the moment.

Oh, Robert Woods hurt ALOT. On the field and in the locker room.

I was surprised to see that LAR are actually in top 10 for Yards Per Carry against. Is this one of those misleading stats or something? Stats show that LAR are good at stopping run, but then you watch that SF game...

[BStanRamFan]

8 minutes ago, Hunter2_1 said:

I was surprised to see that LAR are actually in top 10 for Yards Per Carry against. Is this one of those misleading stats or something? Stats show that LAR are good at stopping run, but then you watch that SF game...

Beginning of the season we would jump out to a lead and teams had to abandon the run entirely. Last 3 weeks we just cant protect the middle of the field. AD gets triple teamed, but the others across the line and ILB aren't making plays at the line of scrimmage. We're missing Michael Brockers and Kenny Young. But yes its a little misleading and not a coincedence that we cant stop the run now that Young is gone and Reeder is starting ILB.

Investing in pieces like Von Miller and ODB are for pressuring the QB and explosive plays...Well when the other team doesn't need to drop back to pass as much and defenses expect these deeper routes...these pieces look useless.

We build an early lead in a game and this team will look night and day different. We dont and we look mediocre.

Edited December 1, 2021 by BStanRamFan

[Hunter2_1]

4 minutes ago, BStanRamFan said:

Beginning of the season we would jump out to a lead and teams had to abandon the run entirely. Last 3 weeks we just cant protect the middle of the field. AD gets triple teamed, but the others across the line and ILB aren't making plays at the line of scrimmage. We're missing Michael Brockers and Kenny Young. 

Investing in pieces like Von Miller and ODB are for pressuring the QB and explosive plays...Well when the other team doesn't need to drop back to pass as much and defenses expect these deeper routes...these pieces look useless.

We build an early lead in a game and this team will look night and day different. We dont and we look mediocre.

Yards Per Carry though, LAR are 4th best in the league. If teams are abandoning run, that would account for bulk stats, but would it affect YPC

You give up less than 4 yards per carry. I was surprised 

[LeotheLion]

1 minute ago, Hunter2_1 said:

Yards Per Carry though, LAR are 4th best in the league. If teams are abandoning run, that would account for bulk stats, but would it affect YPC

You give up less than 4 yards per carry. I was surprised 

We gave up roughly 3.5 yards per carry in the 49ers game. Lately the problem hasn't been as much stopping the run as it is we are getting in consistent 3rd and manageables and are playing soft coverages so the pass rush is nullified and drives are extended. 

The 3rd and 4th down defense the last 2 games has been the major defensive issues which imo is on coaching more than anything else. 

[BStanRamFan]

1 minute ago, Hunter2_1 said:

Yards Per Carry though, LAR are 4th best in the league. If teams are abandoning run, that would account for bulk stats, but would it affect YPC

You give up less than 4 yards per carry. I was surprised 

I updated my initial response, but yes it's misleading. 

GB: 2.9 YPC. They had 32 rush attempts because they held the ball for nearly 40min

SF: 3.5 YPC. They had 44 rush attempts because they held the ball for nearly 40min.

TEN: 4.5 YPC. They only had 21 rush attempts and the TOP was closer to even. (Ten +4.5min)