Mondays are meant for overreacting to what happens across the NFL on Sundays. That’s especially true in Week 1.
For the Los Angeles Rams, they crushed the Seattle Seahawks in the season opener and look much better than expected. It’s only one game and they could get served a dose of reality next week against the 1-0 San Francisco 49ers, but not everything about the Rams’ 30-13 win was a fluke.
Buy Rams TicketsWe’re here to share the biggest overreactions to Los Angeles’ Week 1 win, as well as some truths following the victory. For starters, Matthew Stafford sure looks like a top quarterback again.
Overreaction: Rams’ defense is one of the best in the NFL
Los Angeles was dominant in the second half against the Seahawks. Seattle managed just 12 total yards and ran 14 plays in the final two quarters against the Rams, mustering only one first down. It was one of the better second-half performances you’ll see from a defense, but that doesn’t mean the Rams’ defense is one of the best in the NFL.
Seattle lost both of its starting tackles in the second half, which certainly had an impact, and it’s not as if the Rams were stout against the run early in the game. They gave up 53 yards on just nine carries to Kenneth Walker in the first half before the Seahawks abandoned him in the third and fourth quarters.
There’s promise with this group, but it’s not among the league’s best yet.
Truth: Matthew Stafford looks like a top-10 quarterback again
Stafford’s stock was low coming into this season after throwing just 10 touchdown passes last year in an injury-shortened season, but he reminded everyone on Sunday what a great quarterback he can be when A) he’s healthy and B) has good protection in front of him.
Stafford threw for 334 yards on 24-of-38 passing, and that was despite the Rams’ receivers dropping three passes – including a deep shot that might’ve gone for a 60-yard touchdown to Van Jefferson. If the offensive line can improve and play like this all season, Stafford will put up big numbers.
Overreaction: John Johnson III will ride the bench all year
The Rams signed Johnson this offseason and it was viewed as a smart move, especially for the veteran minimum. However, in the season opener, Johnson didn’t play a single snap on defense. It was one of the more surprising developments of Week 1, but that’s not an indication that Johnson will ride the bench all season.
At some point, the Rams will need him to contribute at safety, either due to injury or in dime packages where they put six defensive backs on the field. Johnson signed late in the summer so he’s still getting his feet under him. I would expect him to play more snaps as the season progresses.
Truth: Pass rush could still use help
The Rams had 20 total pressures against Seattle and rank 12th with a team pass-rush grade of 68.2, according to Pro Football Focus. But that was against a shaky Seahawks offensive line that dealt with injuries and poor play up front.
While it’s encouraging that Byron Young had five pressures and Michael Hoecht had three, we need to see how they perform against a better O-line – like the 49ers’ unit next week. The pass rush remains a concern and the Rams would be wise to bring in a veteran who can provide a spark on third downs instead of trusting Zach VanValkenburg in a rotational role.
Overreaction: Puka Nacua is the best rookie WR in the league
Nacua had a phenomenal debut on Sunday, catching 10 passes for 119 yards. It was the best performance by a rookie receiver so far in Week 1 but that doesn’t make him the top rookie wideout in the NFL.
While he could very well finish among the leading rookies at the position this season, it’ll be hard for Nacua to sustain this level of production. Being targeted 15 times is rare and that number will tick down once Cooper Kupp returns, too.
Nacua looks awesome and played a fantastic game, but don’t expect this to continue week to week. A stat line in the range of five catches and 65 yards is more realistic expectation for the rookie.
Truth: Van Jefferson could be the odd man out when Cooper Kupp returns
Jefferson was overshadowed by Nacua and Tutu Atwell in Week 1, catching just four passes for 24 yards. The one target that he didn’t catch was a perfect deep shot on a crossing route, which he dropped. That play likely would’ve gone for 35-plus yards and maybe a touchdown if he could make the last defender miss.
When Kupp returns, it could be Jefferson who sees fewer snaps, rather than pulling Nacua and Atwell coming off the field. Or perhaps the Rams will try trading him if they can’t find snaps for him this season.
Overreaction: Cam Akers will keep out-carrying Kyren Williams
Akers is in serious danger of losing his starting job after rushing for just 29 yards on 22 carries. He played 25 fewer snaps than Kyren Williams but he got seven more carries. I don’t expect the trend of Akers out-carrying Williams to continue, assuming he remains the inefficient running back that he’s been throughout his NFL career.
Not to mention, the Rams clearly prefer Williams on passing downs, whether it’s as a receiver or in pass protection. At some point, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Williams starting and Akers getting fewer opportunities.
Truth: Offensive line is plenty talented when healthy
It feels like it’s been forever since the Rams had a healthy offensive line. They certainly didn’t have one last year, but on Sunday, their five starters played every snap. And they all played well, too.
The Rams’ pass-blocking grade was the second-best of any team in Week 1, allowing just five total pressures to Seattle. Alaric Jackson had the third-best pass-blocking grade of any tackle and Steve Avila didn’t give up a single pressure.
If this group can remain healthy and play together all season, the Rams have a solid collection of linemen on their hands – one that’s good enough to keep Stafford upright in 2023.
