The Los Angeles Rams are sitting at a 2-3 record right now, but a new chart out there is screaming that this team is way better than it looks. Seriously, the “Fraud Meter” from Stick to the Model is measuring how many wins teams are hiding or faking, and through Week 5, the Rams are leading the whole dang league. The data says they’re playing nearly two wins better than a typical 2-3 squad. What’s going on?
Their Offense Is Secretly Balling Out
You might see that 2-3 record and just dismiss them, but the underlying numbers are pure fire. Stick to the Model isn’t pulling this out of thin air, either. They’re looking at how good the team is right now with healthy players, how they’ve actually played (and who they’ve played against!), plus their upcoming schedule. And get this: the model is projecting the Rams to finish the season at a solid 10-7. That’s a massive jump!
The stats back it up, too. Los Angeles is leading the entire NFL with 2,122 total yards and a staggering 1,538 passing yards. They’re averaging 6.0 yards per play, which is super efficient. Their 37.9 yards per drive is the absolute best mark in the league, full stop. And when it comes to clutch moments, they’re converting 44.6% of their third downs, which lands them seventh-best in the league. This offense is moving the ball better than almost anyone, period.
So Why Is The Record So Rough? It’s The Small Stuff
Alright, so if the yards and efficiency are so good, why are they only 2-3? It all comes down to turning those big plays into actual points. The Rams are averaging 23.8 points per game, which puts them at 14th in the league, and their 2.14 points per drive ranks 15th. That’s a huge drop-off from their yardage numbers, right?
There are a few glaring problems explaining this gap. First up, special teams has been a total mess. The Rams are a dismal 5-of-9 on field goals, a pathetic 55.6% conversion rate that is the WORST in the NFL. They even had to replace kicker Harrison Mevis with Blake Grupe just to try and fix it. Plus, their offense often has to start way back because of poor returns, kicking off drives from their own 27.2-yard line on average. That’s the fourth-worst starting field position in the entire league!
And then there are the self-inflicted wounds. Mistakes are just piling up. They’ve coughed up eight turnovers already, including six interceptions, which is a killer. On top of that, they’ve been flagged 42 times for a whopping 368 yards. That’s just unacceptable.
Look, the Rams’ offense is moving the ball like crazy. If they can seriously clean up the kicking game, cut down on those dumb penalties, and protect the ball better, the model says those wins are absolutely going to start rolling in. It’s on them to make it happen.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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