The Los Angeles Rams got a rude awakening in Week 1, with the San Francisco 49ers completely shutting down the 13 personnel grouping that everyone thought would make them unstoppable. After an offseason where other NFL teams were scrambling to copy the Rams’ frequent use of one running back and three tight ends, LA found themselves cornered, forced to run 11 personnel at a whopping 56% clip. And man, did their offensive production fall off a cliff the moment they moved away from their preferred package.
Stuck in Personnel Purgatory
This isn’t just a Week 1 fluke, it’s a huge red flag that screams “offseason issue.” The Rams totally punted on upgrading their third receiver spot through free agency and the draft. Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield just aren’t cutting into the target share of Puka Nacua or Davante Adams, and honestly, that’s zero surprise. It’s a short-term problem with no short-term fix, especially after the Rams poured draft capital into guys like Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett. Trying to go back to that well might just find it bone dry. Sure, 11 personnel being less effective than 13 personnel is a problem. But the real gut punch is how easily the 49ers pulled them out of their comfort zone.
Early Leads Crush Even the Best Game Plans
How did the Niners do it? Simple: they built an early lead. When you’re trying to erase a deficit, you can’t lean on 13 personnel. You need more firepower through the air, meaning more receivers on the field. Heavier personnel also demands a real commitment to the run game. Passing out of 13 is a changeup, a wrinkle off the run; you can’t live in a traditional drop-back world with marginal athletes on the field. These limitations would have been totally fine if the Rams were the world-beaters we were told they’d be. Through one week, that’s just not the case. To make matters worse, their best defensive player, Myles Garrett, is now sidelined for at least the next four games.
Sean McVay is one of the best offensive play callers in the NFL, absolutely. But even he’s at the mercy of situational football and the overall game script. The Rams might still be a good, or even great, team. But their chances of getting an early lead and then just milking it with those heavier personnel packages? Yeah, that’s seriously mitigated in the short term. McVay’s squad might not be who he wants them to be this year, all because the scoreboard forces their hand. We’ll see how they adapt.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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