How can fast-paced offense remain part of the LA Rams’ offensive plan for 2024?

Maybe my memory is deceiving me, but it seemed to me that one of the characteristics of the LA Rams offense in 2021 was the team’s ability to strike quickly. Whether it was a pass to veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson, to younger wide receiver Van Jefferson, or an incredible run after the catch by All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp, it seemed like the team could score a point from anywhere on the football field in a game.

The term most often used to describe these quick offensive plays is “explosive play,” and it’s not so much about whether the yards gained are on the ground or in the air, as long as big yards are the result.

But have the Rams given up on those big plays to run down the clock? Or do the Rams still have a store of explosive plays they can use when the game is ripe for another rushing attack? According to a recent tweet from Sharp Football’s Warren Sharp, it seems more likely the latter.

If Shap’s numbers are correct, and we have no reason to doubt them, then the LA Rams offense ranks third among all 32 NFL teams with 32 explosive offensive plays that resulted in 30 yards or more. I have to admit, I was a little surprised by the numbers:

But what about 2024? Can the Rams’ big, powerful blockers keep the pass rushers in check long enough to allow for similarly explosive offensive plays in 2024? I say yes, and here’s why:

From the start of the 2021 NFL season, the Rams showed the NFL their offensive power by completing a 37-yard pass to TE Tyler Higbee, a 56-yard pass to WR Cooper Kupp, and a 67-yard bomb to WR Van Jefferson in a 34-14 crushing of the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. It was a clear foreshadowing of what was to come.

By the end of the 2021 season, the Rams would have 10 different players whose longest gain on a game was at least 25 yards. Dropping the backs to 23+ yards, the offense would add a reception from RB Sony Michel (24 yards) and a 23-yard reception from TE Kendall Blanton.

Fast forward to 2023, and the Rams can boast that 10 different players have rushed for at least 25 yards in the longest play. But if you lower the threshold to 23+ yards, you get runs by RB Royce Freeman (23 yards) and Demarcus Robinson (23 yards), as well as receptions by RB Kyren Williams (24 yards),

Not bad for a team that few would have thought had a chance of making the NFL playoffs at the beginning of the season.

While the team lost experienced running backs Darrell Henderson Jr. and Royce Freeman to free agency, RB Blake Corum is also capable of making big plays in this offense in 2024. Of course, veteran running back Boston Scott is a real star when it comes to explosive plays coming off the bench. You can also add in an increase in explosive plays as WR Cooper Kupp emerged this season and finished 100 percent healthy. And then there’s the benefit of explosive plays from tight ends Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen.

Even if the Rams reduce their offensive strategy to a tough game on the ground, it doesn’t reduce the chance of huge, explosive plays on offense. In fact, more defenders in the box increase the chance of big plays on offense.

I really like what the Rams have in store for 2024, and you will too.

Thank you for reading.