Rams tape review: Breaking down plays from L.A.’s 21-20 victory over the Chiefs
The Rams are undefeated in L.A. after two preseason games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Each week, we’ll take a look at several offensive and defensive plays in an attempt to better understand what the Rams’ strengths and weaknesses are.
What: Jeremy Maclin catches a nine-yard pass
Down: Third and nine
Time: 10:24 left in first quarter
In this play, middle linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) drops back into coverage but slips as the ball is thrown to Chiefs receiver Maclin (19) underneath the Rams’ zone defense. Still, Ogletree is able to get up in time to make the tackle with corner Coty Sensabaugh, though not before Maclin gets the first down.
What: Kenny Britt 20-yard reception
Down: Second and seven
Time: 7:03 left in the first quarter
Watch how Britt stands uncovered at the bottom of the formation. Chiefs cornerback D.J. White (24) appears out of place in the secondary, by the safeties, just prior to the snap. Britt catches the short pass and ends up in a race to the outside as 6-foot-4, 259-pound tight end Cory Harkey (46) gets out and runs to throw a block.
What: Todd Gurley eight-yard gain
Down: Second and four
Time: 5:47 left in first quarter
As this play begins, the two wideouts farthest from the play sprint out, while Tavon Austin (11) steps backward, drawing his defender into the backfield.
The key here is tight end Lance Kendricks (88) sealing the strong-side edge and pushing Kansas City linebacker Frank Zombo (51) deep into a mess of blockers. From there, Gurley bounces out to the short side of the field and engages in a footrace with the Chiefs defensive backs.
What: Todd Gurley three-yard touchdown run
Down: First and goal
Time: 5:20 left in first quarter
It’s hard to really see what’s going on, but the Rams’ blocking does the job and allows Gurley to jump through a hole on the left side of the line for a three-yard touchdown.
It’s all made possible by the Chiefs’ offset alignment to the weakside of the Rams’ line. Left tackle Greg Robinson (73), guard Cody Wichmann (69) and center Tim Barnes (61) stand up the Chiefs’ defensive line while right tackle Rodger Saffold (76) works a hole open with a chip from guard Jamon Brown (68) on Kansas City lineman Jaye Howard (96).
What: Benny Cunningham 19-yard run
Down: Second and nine
Time: 52 seconds left in first quarter
Cunningham’s run is possible only because the Rams’ offensive line imposes its will on the Chiefs. Here, Wichmann (69) and Barnes (61) get off on the snap so fast they’re able to push Kansas City’s nose tackle so far backward that they clog up three Chiefs defenders, allowing Cunningham to get to the next level.
What: E.J. Gaines breaks up potential touchdown pass
Down: First and goal
Time: 12 seconds left in second quarter
On this play Gaines (33) comes off his defensive assignment, Chiefs receiver Chris Conley (17), to break up a pass intended for Albert Wilson (12) when fellow corner Sensabaugh overruns his man near the edge of the end zone on a bootleg play.
At the same time, rookie linebacker Cory Littleton (58) takes away Spencer Ware (32) as an option for quarterback Nick Foles as he blows through his block, spinning the running back to the ground to get even more pressure on the quarterback.
Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme
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