Los Angeles Rams @ Tennessee Titans
Final Score: Rams 33, Titans 19
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp)
The Rams and Titans played a game that felt one-sided despite the score staying close until the second half. From the start, the Rams appeared in control on both offense and defense. Their defense looked dominant at times, repeatedly forcing the Titans into quick three-and-outs. Although Tennessee managed to put up 19 points, its overall play was inconsistent, which ultimately led to a double-digit Rams victory.
Four Up
- Elic Ayomanor — We had someone step up in the Titans’ offense, and Ayomanor did well in this game, making big plays.
- Davante Adams — Adams showed he isn’t close to being washed and demonstrated what has made him a great receiver, producing the biggest output of the day.
- Matthew Stafford — A real bounce back for Stafford, who looked fantastic throwing the ball with pinpoint accuracy in this game.
- Blake Corum — Looked explosive in the backfield in this game and saw plenty of work in the red zone.
Two Down
- Calvin Ridley — Ridley was supposed to be one of those high-volume receivers in this Titans offense, but had only six targets.
- Kyren Williams — One-third of his production came on the final drive of the game, and lost opportunities in the red zone.
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: 23/33, 298 Yards, 2 TDs, INT | 2 Carries, -6 Yards
Rams veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford delivered a fantastic performance Sunday. He showcased excellent accuracy throughout the game, consistently placing the ball where only his receivers could make a play. Early on, Stafford focused on short and intermediate throws, but as the game progressed, he opened things up with some impressive deep passes. His touchdown strike to Davante Adams was a perfectly placed ball that allowed Adams to catch it in stride and race toward the end zone.
Despite the strong outing, Stafford wasn’t flawless. His lone interception came on one of his few underthrown passes, as he failed to spot a defender lurking underneath. He also attempted at least four passes inside the 10-yard line but couldn’t convert any of them into touchdowns. Overall, though, Stafford looked sharp, and this Rams offense could be nearly unstoppable when everything is clicking.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: 17 Carries, 66 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 14 Yards
Star running back Kyren Williams wasn’t as explosive as many might have hoped. He managed just one play over 15 yards, and most of his carries went for only four to five yards at best. While he did chip in a few receptions, the Rams didn’t feature him much as a receiver, which limited his overall impact. A slight concern was the increased usage of Blake Corum, especially while the game was still competitive. Williams missed a noticeable stretch of consecutive plays, including key snaps in the red zone, where he was barely involved.
Even so, Williams still logged 17 carries, so his workload remains strong, and there’s no doubt he’s the clear RB1 in this backfield. However, if Corum continues to siphon red-zone opportunities, it could cap Williams’ touchdown upside moving forward.
Blake Corum: 5 Carries, 44 Yards, 1 TD
Second-year running back Blake Corum turned in one of his best performances in the NFL despite serving as the backup. He saw action on several key drives in the second and fourth quarters, making the most of his limited opportunities. Corum looked explosive with the ball in his hands, ripping off two runs of 15-plus yards and punching in a touchdown.
It’s unclear whether this breakout will lead to a larger role going forward, but Corum certainly looked sharper and more confident than he did during his rookie season.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Puka Nacua: 9 Targets, 8 Receptions, 91 Yards | 1 Carry, 45 Yards, TD
Rams star receiver Puka Nacua delivered another fantastic performance, continuing to showcase his excellent chemistry with Stafford. Operating primarily as an underneath target, Nacua consistently found soft spots in the defense and turned short catches into big gains with his trademark yards-after-catch ability.
He even added a rare rushing highlight, taking a carry 45 yards for a touchdown after slipping through traffic and breaking free. The only minor concern was Stafford’s frequent red-zone looks toward Adams, which could slightly cap Nacua’s touchdown upside. Still, a healthy Nacua looks virtually unstoppable in this Rams offense.
Davante Adams: 13 Targets, 6 Receptions, 106 Yards, TD
“Old man” Davante Adams bounced back in Week 2 with an elite performance against the Titans. Despite his age, Adams looked unstoppable, consistently creating separation and making defenders miss after the catch. His six receptions felt like double that, as he always seemed to be open and available for Stafford.
Adams’ touchdown was a perfect example of his veteran skill he easily beat his defender downfield and hauled in a beautifully thrown ball from Stafford. He also saw multiple end-zone targets, hinting at strong touchdown upside even if he couldn’t convert them all. Sunday was a clear reminder that Adams remains one of the league’s premier receivers, age be damned.
Jordan Whittington: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 42 Yards
Second-year receiver Jordan Whittington managed to make his presence felt late in the game, seeing both of his targets while the Rams were comfortably ahead. He took advantage of soft zone coverage on one of those plays, finding an opening deep downfield where Matthew Stafford hit him for a big gain.
Still, it’s difficult to imagine any third receiver emerging as a consistent option in this offense, with Adams and Nacua combining for a massive 66% target share in the game.
Tyler Higbee: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 37 Yards
After going catchless last week, tight end Tyler Higbee reemerged in the passing game. He was primarily used as a check-down option on screen plays and as a reliable safety blanket for Stafford. Higbee made some nice gains after the catch and led all Rams tight ends with four targets.
It’s unclear how consistent his weekly involvement will be, as many of his looks came on wide-open opportunities. However, with defenses focusing heavily on Adams and Nacua, Higbee could continue to see these underneath chances when coverage breaks down.
Davis Allen: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards, TD
TuTu Atwell: 1 Target
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Cam Ward: 19/33, 175 Yards, TD, | 4 Carries, 8 Yards, FUM (Lost)
Rookie quarterback Cam Ward delivered another uneven performance in this game. On the positive side, he threw the first touchdown pass of his two-game career — a risky, across-his-body throw that somehow found its target. It was the kind of daring play you expect from a rookie, and it showed flashes of his natural arm talent. Ward looked most comfortable when rolling outside the pocket, where he could extend plays and find receivers downfield. He made a handful of eye-catching throws that highlighted both his arm strength and his ability to improvise.
However, Ward continues to struggle when forced to operate strictly from the pocket. Whenever he held the ball too long, the offense broke down, leading to errant throws and costly sacks. He was sacked five times in this contest, including one that resulted in a late-game fumble. Growing pains are to be expected, and Ward will likely continue to experience highs and lows as he develops in an offense that remains well below league average.
Running Back
Tony Pollard: 20 Carries, 92 Yards | 1 Target
The Titans relied almost entirely on Tony Pollard in the backfield, and the veteran running back delivered another high-volume outing with 20 carries. Pollard accounted for three of the game’s ten biggest plays, including multiple runs of nine or more yards, showing he remains the team’s most trusted option.
The concerning part, however, is his near absence in the passing game. Pollard had just one target, and unfortunately, he dropped it, highlighting a limitation in his versatility. For now, Pollard should continue as the lead back, but until Tyjae Spears returns, he hasn’t fully proven he can handle a complete, dual-threat workload.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Calvin Ridley: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 57 Yards
Veteran receiver Calvin Ridley led the team in targets, seeing six throws his way. While many expected him to be Ward’s primary weapon, that doesn’t seem to be fully the case. Ridley did make a couple of big plays, mostly benefiting from Ward rolling out of the pocket to buy extra time. He was able to get open and gain some yardage, but consistency remains an issue. On one target, Ridley made an impressive catch but couldn’t keep his feet in bounds near the sideline. Overall, Ridley may not yet be the true WR1 for this team, contrary to preseason expectations, and he’ll need more consistent production to solidify that role.
Elic Ayomanor: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 56 Yards, TD
Rookie Elic Ayomanor stepped up in a big way in Week 2. After a quiet Week 1, he made the most of his opportunities, consistently getting open and allowing Ward to connect on several throws from inside the pocket. Ayomanor had two standout catches. The first was a sideline grab reminiscent of a classic David Tyree catch, with a defender draped all over him. His second was a touchdown reception, showcasing his ability to haul in a wildly thrown ball from Ward. A deep-threat weapon, Ayomanor looks poised to continue developing into a key playmaker for Ward as the season progresses.
Chig Okonkwo: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 35 Yards
Tight end Chig Okonkwo had a solid outing, seeing six targets in the game. He served primarily as an underneath option for Ward, running mostly short-area routes to give Ward quick, easy throws. While six targets is a strong number, it’s unclear if that usage will be consistent. Okonkwo has never been a highly reliable option, particularly in terms of yardage, so his role may fluctuate as the season progresses.
Chimere Dike: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, -1 Yards | 2 carries, 9 Yards
Titans rookie receiver Chimere Dike made his presence felt throughout the game. Well, his name was mentioned more often than his receiving yards. The Titans clearly wanted to get him involved, using him primarily on screen passes to let him create yards after the catch. However, he struggled to gain much after two of his receptions, limiting his overall impact. Dike also saw action in the running game, showcasing some of the versatility he can bring to the offense. While inconsistent, he’s a player to keep an eye on to see if his production and playmaking can continue to develop.
Van Jefferson: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 10 Yards
Tyler Lockett : 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards
Gunner Helm: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards