Chiefs 2022 Opponent Overview: Los Angeles Rams

The Kansas City Chiefs will go from facing one Los Angeles team, to facing the other Los Angeles team. Last year’s Super Bowl champions, the Rams, looking nothing like champions currently. This is one of the worst seasons following a Super Bowl victory in a long while for an NFL team. When the schedule first came out, it seemed like this would be a marquee game in late November. But now, the Chiefs will likely enter as massive favorites at home.

More on some of the key matchups and game planning will be covered right here throughout this week. Today, we will be giving our own view of the Los Angeles Rams entering their matchup with the Chiefs. What can Kansas City expect from their offense and defense? Let’s kick it off.

One-Trick Pony

Rams head coach Sean McVay has some pretty amazing accolades. That is especially true, given his youthfulness and motivation tactics as an NFL head coach. Nevertheless, there have still been occasional drawbacks or weaknesses to the Los Angeles attack in recent years. On offense, there appears to be a lack of adjustments, when necessary. The Rams have certainly had to mix and match with their lineup, due to injury. LA is simply too much of a one-trick pony, though.

You see the rushing attack largely live off of outside stretches or inside slams. There just seems to be no in-between in that regard. As for the passing attack, you see a bevy of crossing routes, play action passes and comeback patterns. If no separation is created, no offense is going to function. Yet for the Rams, there appears to be a lack of turning to different options for the passing attack. If they get shutdown by physical coverage, Los Angeles goes into shell. Many items have led to a horrible season for this Los Angeles team. But overall, the Rams continue to offer the feeling of a one-trick pony as an offensive attack.

Lack Of Depth In Forefront, As Top Stars Get Banged Up

Over the last couple of years, the Rams have stuck to the “screw them picks” mantra, so to speak, failing to build through the draft. This stars and scrubs approach has still created some success. Last year’s Super Bowl win was built off the final pushes of some new acquisitions, namely Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. Some worthy depth pieces have been found in spurts. Nevertheless, the Rams have backed themselves into a corner, because of the overly aggressive approach to roster construction.

And with the injuries that have been suffered this season, the Rams are basically entering most games with their hands tied. Cooper Kupp is out again this week, due to an ankle injury. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was in concussion protocol and missed a recent game. He did return last week. However, Stafford may have to re-enter concussion protocol, possibly putting his status in doubt for this week.

For the most part, the Rams are relying on inexperienced pieces in the passing game. Their current wide receiver room includes Allen Robinson, Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell, Brandon Powell, Lance McCutcheon and Jacob Harris. With or without Kupp, that is a tough way to live in a pass-heavy league. Elsewhere, the running back room is a revolving door for touches, as seemingly everyone has failed to take the reins in Los Angeles.

Zone-Heavy Approach

At least 80 percent of the season, the Rams have used zone coverage on defense. That may seem pretty surprising, because of the presence of Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey was always the most challenging man coverage cornerback since he entered the league. Quietly, he has taken a step back this season. Statistically speaking, the Rams have been putrid in man coverage as a team, regardless. According to Bill Barnwell of ESPN, Los Angeles ranks dead-last in the NFL in opposing quarterback rating when playing man coverage this season.

When thinking about this particular matchup with the Chiefs, the Rams may actually be helping themselves out by primarily running zone coverage. It has just been a difficult year, though, for this LA secondary. Many teams are getting on top of their cushion at an instant rate. Meanwhile, teams like Kansas City could surely create some increased miscommunication that we have been seeing from the Rams on the back end.

Where the Rams have been good defensively, lies in the running game. Los Angeles is fourth-best in rushing yards allowed, fourth-best in yards per carry allowed and eighth-best in rushing touchdowns allowed. With Aaron Donald leading the way upfront, Los Angeles can still win some leverage battles and plug gaps.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.