What’s Going On with the Rams? Breaking Down the Third-Down Struggles
The Los Angeles Rams’ recent performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, resulting in a tough 37-20 loss, has left fans and analysts with a burning question: What’s going wrong with their third-down conversions? This recurring issue, now haunting the Rams (5-6), reached a new low on Sunday as they failed to convert a single third down (0-for-8) for the first time all season. Let’s dive into what’s happening and why.
A Tough Stat to Swallow
The Rams’ struggles on third down aren’t just bad—they’re nearly league-worst. Ranked 31st in the NFL with a dismal 31.71% third-down conversion rate, the team sits just above Cleveland. Even more troubling, their estimated points added (EPA) on third downs is -0.287 per play, also 31st in the league. To put it bluntly, when the Rams hit third down, they’re often in trouble.
But it’s not all bad news. Surprisingly, the Rams have a respectable 54.5% success rate when running the ball on third down. The problem? They’re rarely in situations where a run play makes sense. As head coach Sean McVay admitted after Sunday’s game, “There’s a lot of different reasons. It wasn’t one thing in particular… It’s been an area that we have to be better at, no doubt about it.”
Breaking Down Sunday’s Struggles
On Sunday, the Rams lined up for 11 third downs against the Eagles, though penalties nullified three of those attempts. The remaining eight attempts? Seven passes, one run, and zero success. The average distance they needed on those third downs was a daunting 9.4 yards—further proof of their struggles on earlier downs. Without manageable third-down situations, opposing defenses, like Philadelphia’s ferocious pass rush, can easily predict and disrupt plays.
Matthew Stafford, the Rams’ veteran quarterback, faced immense pressure, completing just 2 of 4 passes for 10 yards while being sacked three times in those situations. “We didn’t put ourselves in a lot of favorable ones today,” Stafford acknowledged post-game. “It takes great execution by everybody to convert on third down. We just gotta do a better job.”
The First and Second Down Problem
The root of the Rams’ third-down woes lies deeper—in their inconsistent execution on first and second downs. Starting in the second quarter (since they didn’t even face a third down in the first), the Rams leaned heavily on passing plays, likely influenced by the game’s lopsided score. Out of 34 first- and second-down plays, 24 were pass attempts.
The results? Ten carries for just 23 yards, including three tackles for loss, and 14 completions on 22 attempts by Stafford. That inconsistency on early downs left the Rams staring down third-and-long situations repeatedly. On average, the team faced 7.9 yards to gain on third downs based purely on their first- and second-down results—not including penalties that made matters worse.
Offensive Line Woes
A closer look reveals another culprit: the offensive line. Injuries and constant shuffling have disrupted the chemistry needed to execute the Rams’ run-heavy identity. Over the past two years, the organization has heavily invested in building a dominant offensive line: drafting guard Steve Avila in the second round, signing Kevin Dotson and Jonah Jackson to big contracts, and selecting Blake Corum in the third round to complement Kyren Williams in the backfield.
Despite these efforts, the results have been underwhelming. “I feel like our run game is a little underrated,” Dotson said. “We run it pretty good when we actually get it all set. It’s just a matter of getting ourselves in situations where running is better.”
The Mentality in the Locker Room
Amid the frustration, Rams players and coaches remain optimistic about their identity as a physical, run-first team. Receiver Puka Nacua emphasized the importance of winning the battle in the trenches: “It’s the physical game of football… It starts in the trenches and being able to make sure we can protect our back.”
Their confidence is echoed by Dotson and others who believe that improving execution and discipline can lead to better results. But without consistency on early downs, the Rams will continue to struggle on third downs, leaving their talented roster stuck in frustratingly predictable situations.
What Needs to Change?
The Rams can’t afford to keep putting themselves in long-yardage situations, especially with defenses like Philadelphia’s that thrive in obvious passing scenarios. Here are some areas they must address:
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Early-Down Execution
Improving efficiency on first and second downs will be critical. Whether that means sticking with the run game or finding quicker passing options, the Rams need to set up manageable third-down situations. -
Offensive Line Consistency
Injuries happen, but the Rams must stabilize their offensive line. Chemistry among linemen is vital for both protecting Stafford and creating lanes for the running game. -
Balanced Play-Calling
While game situations sometimes dictate a pass-heavy approach, the Rams need to rediscover their run-first identity to keep defenses guessing. -
Limiting Penalties
Costly mistakes like the two 10-yard penalties on Sunday only make third-down conversions more difficult. Cleaning up penalties will go a long way toward improving efficiency.
Looking Ahead
With their playoff hopes still alive, the Rams must address these issues quickly. Their next opponent, boasting another tough defense, won’t make things any easier. But as Dotson said, the team still believes in its identity. If the Rams can execute better on early downs, protect Stafford, and lean into their strengths, there’s hope to turn things around.
The third-down struggles may define the Rams right now, but with the talent they’ve invested in, there’s no reason why they can’t rewrite the narrative in the weeks ahead.
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