Rams News: How Matthew Stafford worked the Texans defense to get Robert Woods wide open

Los Angeles Rams News and Links for 11/5/21

By Blane Dydasco@BlaneDydasco Nov 5, 2021, 8:05am CDT

The Los Angeles Rams offense is ranking as one of the top passing units in the league this season. Sean McVay seems to be orchestrating effective game plans. Matthew Stafford is playing up to expectations demonstrating elite capabilities and the receivers are executing with precision and timing.

Against the Houston Texans Stafford connected with Robert Woods for a 28 yard pass that demonstrated the synchronization of scheme, quarterback, and receivers.

SCHEME

Likely anticipating zone coverages with safeties playing soft to guard against the deep attack, McVay uses a high low concept with Higbee and Woods lined up tight to the left. The play is designed to target the linebacker and put him in conflict to choose between the underneath hook ran by Tyler Higbee or the second level route ran by Woods.

RECEIVERS

Even before this play takes place, the fact that the Rams have the most effective deep pass attack in the league causes the safeties in this instance to play soft and take themselves out of the targeted intermediate area. The play at hand requires timing and spacing by Higbee and Woods to effectively put the linebacker in conflict. Without good spacing the linebacker could more easily play both routes. If Woods gets too deep, he allows the safeties to have a chance at the play.

QUARTERBACK

Stafford has shown off some no look passes which seems like a trick shot too risky for most passers. However, short of no looks are look offs which are more common but still usually the separator between lower level and elite quarterbacks. In this play Stafford looks off the linebacker like he’s done it a million times before. Knowing the linebacker will follow his vision, he gives a quick look to Higbee and the defender jumps it just to see the ball sail past him to the lane he just vacated and right to a wide open Woods.

And now for today’s links: