Offense got them to AFC, NFC Championships, but defense will decide who reaches Super Bowl
(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
By Neil Greenberg | Washington Post
NFC championship game: Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 3:05 p.m. ET
The Saints averaged almost three points per drive in 2018, including the playoffs, while the Rams gnashed opponents for 2.7 points per drive, making them the second and third most-efficient offenses of the season.
Both have quality quarterbacks and both have elite players at the skill positions but the Rams have some of their most important players flying under the radar: not a single player on the Rams offensive line was named to the Pro Bowl or either all-pro team. That’s surprising, because the Rams pass-blocking and run-blocking were some of the best in the NFL this season.
For example, the offensive front of Los Angeles allowed one of their rushers to be stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage just 15 percent of the time, tying them with the Saints offensive line — led by Pro Bowl center Max Unger and second-team all-pro left tackle Terron Armstead and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk — for the best mark in 2018. The Rams, like the Saints, also provided stout pass protection: per Football Outsiders, these two teams finished the regular season ranked sixth and third, respectively, for adjusted sack rate this season, which are sacks (plus intentional grounding penalties) per pass attempt adjusted for down, distance, and opponent. ...
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(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
By Neil Greenberg | Washington Post
NFC championship game: Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints
Sunday, 3:05 p.m. ET
The Saints averaged almost three points per drive in 2018, including the playoffs, while the Rams gnashed opponents for 2.7 points per drive, making them the second and third most-efficient offenses of the season.
Both have quality quarterbacks and both have elite players at the skill positions but the Rams have some of their most important players flying under the radar: not a single player on the Rams offensive line was named to the Pro Bowl or either all-pro team. That’s surprising, because the Rams pass-blocking and run-blocking were some of the best in the NFL this season.
For example, the offensive front of Los Angeles allowed one of their rushers to be stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage just 15 percent of the time, tying them with the Saints offensive line — led by Pro Bowl center Max Unger and second-team all-pro left tackle Terron Armstead and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk — for the best mark in 2018. The Rams, like the Saints, also provided stout pass protection: per Football Outsiders, these two teams finished the regular season ranked sixth and third, respectively, for adjusted sack rate this season, which are sacks (plus intentional grounding penalties) per pass attempt adjusted for down, distance, and opponent. ...
Full Story - Washington Post