The Los Angeles Rams are set to hit the road for their grudge match with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card round.
There is plenty of speculation regarding who will start under center for the Rams between Jared Goff and John Wolford. However, the biggest concern is their inability to capitalize in the red zone no matter who is under center.
L.A. failed to scored touchdowns on their last six trips to the red zone over the previous two games combined. The offense is well aware that their lack of efficiency is not going to get the job done now that they are in the playoffs.
Running back Cam Akers added to this issue when he fumbled the ball on the 2-yard line while extending for a touchdown versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17. He took responsibility for the error and is chalking it up to a rookie mistake, per Emmanuel Morgan of the L.A. Times:
“It’s something that we preach … ‘Don’t reach the ball over the goal line unless it’s a do-or-die situation,’ ” Akers said. “It’s 100% on me. Something that can’t happen, something that won’t happen. It’s something I can learn from.”
Akers added that the offense as a whole needs to take a different mental approach when they reach the red zone:
“It’s a mind-set,” he said. “I feel like when it comes to just football in general, but especially on the goal line, it’s ‘I’m lining up — 11 on 11 — and I’m not going to let you beat me.’ If we take that mind-set, I feel like we’ll be more successful.”
The Rams’ struggles in the red zone have been an issue for a large part of the 2020 NFL season. Although the spectacular play of their elite defense bailed the offense out enough times to secure a spot in the postseason, it will not be enough to reach the promised land.
L.A. finished just outside the top 10 in total yards per game (377.0) this year, but were ranked 23rd in points per game (23.3). This is thanks in large part to their 57.9% red-zone efficiency, which was good for 19th in the NFL.
Whether it is head coach Sean McVay’s play calling or a lack of execution from the offense, such mistakes will prove to be more costly now than ever. The onus will fall on McVay and his key players like Akers to find a way to capitalize instead of settling for field goals.
