https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rams-score-on-opening-drive-thanks-to-fourth-down-conversion-questionable-roughness-call
Rams coach Sean McVay is following the analytics. Or maybe he just has no faith in his kicker.
Either way, McVay kept the Rams’ offense on the field on a fourth-and-3 in field goal range on the opening drive today against the Jaguars in London, and it paid off: The Rams picked up the first down, and then marched down the field for a touchdown.
McVay may have been trusting the analytics models that generally recommend aggressiveness on fourth downs — or may have been concerned about his kicker, Joshua Karty, who has been struggling this season.
They were also helped by a highly questionable unnecessary roughness call on the Jaguars, on a hit that didn’t seem to deserve a flag.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, playing without top receiver Puka Nacua, completed 7 of 9 passes for 45 yards and finished the drive with a touchdown pass to Konata Mumpfield.
The Jaguars’ offense went three-and-out on each of its first two drives. They’re going to need to get things going to keep up with the Rams.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/rams-score-on-opening-drive-thanks-to-fourth-down-conversion-questionable-roughness-call
