Despite only scoring three points in the super bowl the Rams offense was very successful this past season. In year two under head coach Sean McVay the Rams were once again near the top in the league in both points scored and yards gained.
The Rams offense finished 2nd in points per game (32.9), 2nd in yards per game (421.1), 5th in passing yards per game (281.7), and 3rd in rushing yards per game (139.4). It was once again a brilliant season for the Rams offense that have continued to thrive in the McVay era.
Leading the offense this season was third year quarterback Jared Goff who once again took another step forward. In Goff’s rookie year he threw for 1,089 yards and had 5 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a rating of 63.6. The Rams went 0-7 in these games and it was a nightmare of a rookie season for Goff. In year two Goff improved drastically as he threw for 3,804 yards, had 28 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a rating of 100.5 as he went 11-4 as a starter. This year, Goff improved even more on his stats from the previous season. While leading the Rams to an NFL best 13-3 record, Goff threw for a career best 4,688 yards, 32 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 101.1. It was easily Goff’s best year to date as he once again showed growth and development from his rookie season.
Besides Goff, the Rams offense was once again carried on the back of running back Todd Gurley. Coming off his offensive player of the year season, Gurley once again had a very effective year. Gurley finished the year 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,251 and 1st in rushing touchdowns with 17. On top of all the rushing success Gurley also had 59 receptions for 580 yards and 4 touchdowns. Gurley was on his way to another offensive player of the year award until a leg injury kept him out for multiple weeks and slowed him down when he returned. Even though there was no official news of an injury for Gurley in the playoffs, he did not look as explosive as he once did at the start of the season and it was probably due to not being fully recovered from his previous injury. Other than the injury concern, Gurley has shown no signs of slowing down and will continue to receive the lion share of touches in the Rams backfield.
The Rams receiving core for the 2018-19 can best be described as balanced and elite. The Rams are fortunate to have three wide receivers that can do it all in Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp. This trio is one of the best, youngest, and dominant receiving corps in all of the NFL. If it wasn’t for the midseason injury to Cooper Kupp the Rams could’ve been the only team in the NFL to have three different receivers with over 70 receptions and 1000 yards. In only 8 games Kupp was able to have 40 receptions, 566 yards, and 6 touchdowns. This pace would have given him 80 receptions, 1122 yards, and 12 touchdowns in a full 16 games which would’ve been right near the numbers of Cooks and Woods.
In his second season on the Rams, Woods recorded 86 receptions, 1219 yards, and 6 touchdowns. What was most impressive about Woods’ season was his consistency as he had a stretch of 14 straight games with at least 4 catches and at least 60 receiving yards. After a breakout season two years ago, Woods has evolved into a more than reliable target in the Rams passing game.
The final receiver that forms is trio might be the most talented one, Brandin Cooks. Cooks was acquired in the offseason by a trade with the New England Patriots. He was brought in the fill the gap Sammy Watkins left after is departure but Cooks did much more than that. In his first season with the Rams, Cooks had 80 receptions, 1204 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Not only were his stats impressive but his speed caused many problems for opposing teams. Because of his skill-set most teams would have their number one corner on Cooks to try and contain him. With his speed, Cooks was able to stretch defenses and allow other receivers to get open underneath the coverage. The addition of Cooks this year gave the Rams one of the most dangerous receiving trios the NFL has ever seen.
Overall the 2018-19 season was a very successful year for the Rams offense. Even with a few injuries, the Rams were able to score at a high rate throughout the season and give fits to opposing defenses. The future looks bright in Los Angeles if the main pieces on the offense are able to stick around. It also wouldn’t be outlandish to think the Rams offense could even improve in the coming years.
With Goff only being 24, Gurley 24, Cooks 25, Woods, 26, and Kupp 25 it is possible that their best years are yet to come.
Featured Image: Erik Lambert/ Sports Mockery
