The Rams have created some big plays this season, but those have mostly come either on the ground or when receivers find seams after the catch. Rarely has Jared Goff connected with his receivers deep downfield, but it’s not for a lack of effort.
Matt Bowen of ESPN pointed out that the Rams run more max-protect plays than any team in the league, a rate of 20.6% – 3.9% higher than the second-ranked Patriots. Those plays typically consist of only two routes being run, oftentimes deep because the quarterback should have time in the pocket with at least seven blockers in front of him.
Goff’s average depth of target remains low at only 7.2 yards, but Sean McVay has tried to create plays downfield. They just haven’t been there, forcing Goff to either check down or scramble.
Dropback % in Max-Protection (7 or more blockers).
Think of play-action “shot plays” here — or two-man routes (Post-Cross concept, for example).
1. #Rams — 20.6%
2. #Patriots — 16.7%
3. #Raiders — 14.7%
4. #Browns — 14.5 %
5. #Jets — 14.4 %— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) November 12, 2020
It doesn’t help that the Rams lack a burner like Brandin Cooks, but Robert Woods and Josh Reynolds are plenty fast enough to get behind cornerbacks. They just haven’t done so consistently enough to connect with Goff.
Hopefully McVay cooked up some new ideas during the bye week to create opportunities downfield for his receivers because the Rams can’t keep relying on yards after the catch all season long.
