Explaining the Rams' success on 2-point conversions versus poor red zone offense

The St. Louis Rams have five 2-point conversions this season. Compare that to the number of rushing touchdowns the team has, just two. It's an odd statistic, a quirk, but head coach Jeff Fisher says it's pretty simple to understand, really.

"It's been just our ability to throw and catch," Fisher said. "We just made plays. Sam stays alive. He understands the concepts and we've had some good plays in place."

Fisher added that the offense works on a specific package of 2-point conversions every week in practice. And the team's narrow margins on the scoreboard have given ample opportunity to use them.

The first thing that stood out to me about that 2-point conversion number is why it's such a stark contrast to the team's poor red zone results. Fisher had an answer for that too.

"So then you say, 'well how come you don't use those plays when you're backed out a little bit further?' Well, they're basically two-point plays. As we've talked about, I think earlier in the week, we carry a couple into each week."

There you go, the 2-point conversions are specific plays.

Somehow, I'm not reassured by that fact. The same kinds of things that have hurt the Rams in the red zone - penalties, missed blocks, bad routes and general poor execution - are the same things they seem to get right when going for two.

One thing that is different is the proximity to the end zone. The red zone encompasses 20 yards of field, so think of the conversion plays more like goal-to-go. The Rams, is just so happens, are very successful in those situations too. St. Louis has converted 13-of-18 goal-to-go opportunities, a 72 percent success rate. The league average is just 62 percent.

When you look at that, it says there just might be some hope for the red zone offense after all.