Don’t Blame The Offensive Line For Jared Goff’s Struggles

Jared Goff stinks, but you kinda knew that already unless you don’t have a brain. Teams have started to figure out the Sean McVay bootleg offense more and more. Goff looks like a bottom tier quarterback and there’s really no other way to say it. Many pundits have pointed to the offensive line as an excuse for Goff’s struggles. The problem is that narrative isn’t true.

Here’s an interesting nugget from Rams Wire of USA Today:

“Much of the criticism was warranted. But here’s a truly surprising stat about the 2019 Rams: They finished the season giving up the fewest number of sacks in the NFL. The Rams gave up just 22 sacks on the season, narrowly beating out the Dallas Cowboys, who gave up 23.

This was the second-lowest total for the Rams in a full 16-game season, only trailing the 2015 unit that gave up just 18 sacks on the year. Goff was sacked only 10 times over the team’s final 10 games, and four of those sacks came against Pittsburgh.

Veteran tackle Andrew Whitworth was asked how it was possible that the Rams gave up the fewest sacks in the NFL. “I don’t know,” Whitworth joked. “Sure doesn’t fit the narrative though.”

That’s interesting. So let’s break this down. Goff had a 22-16 TD to INT ratio with the 22nd ranked quarterback rating on the year with an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the league. Not to mention with Sean McVay, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp. Sure, Brandin Cooks and Todd Gurley aren’t the same but they’re still on the roster.

The Rams are so, so screwed. Hey, Goff’s new contract extension kicks in this upcoming year. I’m sure that will really help the surrounding roster. It’s only going downhill from here. Goff was bad with good protection. What happens when Andrew Whitworth retires and they can’t afford a replace and have no draft picks because of the Jalen Ramsey trade. Totally screwed.

Jared Goff Sucks. He’s Also Very Soft Too

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that PFF had the Rams offensive line ranked as the 31st unit in the NFL. I’m not sure how a group can allow the least amount of sacks in the NFL and being the 2nd worst group in the league. Hey, that’s PFF for you. Losing Roger Safford hurt. There’s no question. However, there are no excuses for Jared Goff. The guy stinks. This is just the beginning.