Many were curious to see how the new-look offensive line of the Los Angeles Rams would perform in Week 1, and they didn’t disappoint. Following Sunday’s lopsided win over the Seattle Seahawks, stats show just how dominant the offensive line of the Rams was in the season opener.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams’ pass-blocking grade of 84.8 is the second-highest of any team in the NFL through Sunday’s games in Week 1. They allowed just five pressures all game long, which is an impressive number compared to last year’s performances up front.
Buy Rams TicketsStill Monday Night Football to be played, but so far, the Rams' offensive line has the second-highest pass blocking grade of Week 1 (84.8), according to PFF.
QB Matthew Stafford was kept clean on 76.9% of his dropbacks.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 11, 2023
To begin the season, the Rams deployed a starting offensive line of Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Joe Noteboom, and Rob Havenstein. Matthew Stafford had plenty of time to survey the field in the passing game, and most importantly, the offensive line didn’t allow the veteran quarterback to be sacked.
Moving Noteboom to right guard and having Jackson take his place at left tackle was the most notable alteration the Rams made in the trenches. It certainly panned out — at least for now — as Jackson currently boasts the third-highest pass-blocking grade among offensive linemen in Week 1.
Individually, LT Alaric Jackson currently has the third-highest pass blocking grade of any offensive lineman in Week 1 (88.5) https://t.co/MYuBuNbjwN
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 11, 2023
Injuries and inconsistent play plagued the offensive line of the Rams in 2022, which led to Stafford enduring multiple injuries himself. As a team, the Rams allowed 59 sacks a season ago, making it the most sacks given up in a single season during Sean McVay’s tenure with the organization.
It is only one week, but the first impressions of the new-look offensive line are undoubtedly positive. Each starter finished with a pass-blocking grade of 73 or higher in Week 1, according to PFF. After keeping Stafford upright against the Seahawks, the Rams’ offensive line unit will be tasked with slowing down a dynamic defense in the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.
