Perhaps memory does not serve me well, but it seemed to me that one of the characteristics about the LA Rams offense in 2021 was the team’s quick strike ability. Whether is was a pass play to veteran WR DeSean Jackson, to younger wide receiver Van Jefferson, or an incredible run after the catch by All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp, it seemed as though the team could score at weill from anywhere on the football field in one play.
The term most often used to focus on those quick-strike offensive plays is ‘explosive play,’ and it is less about whether the yards gained come on the ground or through the air, as long as big chunks of yardage are the result.
But have the Rams abandoned those big plays in favor of grinding out a game clock? Or do the Rams still have a cache of explosive plays to dial up and use when the game situation is ripe for another another quick strike? Based on a recent Tweet by Warren Sharp of Sharp Football, it appears to be more of the latter.
If Shap’s numbers are correct, and we have no reason to doubt them, the LA Rams offense tied for third place among all 32 NFL teams with 32 explosive offensive plays that gained 30 yards or better. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised by the numbers:
