Los Angeles Rams: Two improvements to make for Week 2

The Los Angeles Rams did what many people expected them to do in Week 1: defeat the Oakland Raiders by 20 points.

The Los Angeles Rams met expectations in the team’s Week 1 matchup against the new-look, Jon Gruden-led, Oakland Raiders. Coming off of one of the best turnarounds in recent NFL history last season and a great offseason full of additions, the Rams were not only favorites in Week 1 but as Super Bowl contenders.

Los Angeles came out and did what the team had to do and handed a definitive loss to a shaken up Oakland Raiders team. Going on the road, on national television nonetheless, and winning by 20 points is no easy feat.

That does not mean that the game was all sunshine and rainbows, though, as the Rams did not get out of the gates until the second half.

The Raiders were up 13-10 at halftime and allowed 188 yards in the first half. While that is still a good chunk of yardage, Oakland was able to hold the Rams at bay and allow just two scores.

Then the teams went into the half and head coach Sean McVay made the proper adjustments to shut the Raiders out in the second half as well as score 23 points of their own. Oakland had just 136 yards in the second half, 52 of which were in garbage time in the last drive of the game.

Still, there are areas of improvement for the Rams to address as the team heads into Week 2. Although the Rams do not have a daunting challenge in the Arizona Cardinals, there are ways to improve to get some momentum before hosting the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.

1. Get Todd Gurley into the game early

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley finished the game with a box score that was right on par with his great performances last season. Gurley finished with 108 rushing yards, 38 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.

However, Gurley did not do much for the Rams in the first half, who instead opted for passing plays and runs from Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks. Gurley had just four carries for 19 yards in the first half.

While it ended up working in the end, the Los Angeles Rams should look to get Gurley’s wheels spinning early, especially with last season’s NFL sack leader, Chandler Jones, likely breathing down Jared Goff‘s neck.

2. Limiting yards after catch

The Los Angeles Rams defense, in particular, the secondary and defensive line, has been touted as one of, if not the, best in the entire league. And while the Raiders were held to just 13 points in the season opener, the defense was not as stout as many would have expected.

Even with three interceptions, Derek Carr still threw for 303 yards, primarily because of the yards after catch the Rams allowed in drag routes and slants in the middle.

This could be because of the linebacker core but regardless, the Rams did allow 201 yards after catch against the Raiders.

LA had no problem in defending the deep ball, evident from the three interceptions by the defense. However, as the team heads into its season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, limiting yards after catch against shifty receivers like Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk is key.

The Arizona Cardinals are going to be throwing a lot of short balls with Sam Bradford under center. Limit that and outscoring an offense that is almost entirely David Johnson should be easy.