The Rams’ offense is lights out in Hollywood; Chiefs’ defense is rigid in Kansas City

By late November, the NFL’s heavy hitters have tightened the screws and started throwing their weight around. And there’s no better stage to show off that growth than a holiday weekend packed with prime time clashes.

DAZN News’ Gavin Babbitt breaks down two of the best units to watch this week. 

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The Rams’ showtime offense 

Matthew Stafford is the MVP favorite and in command of the NFL’s best-executed passing game. The Rams rank fifth in passing yardage per game (248.4).

The 37-year-old is having one of the most accurate campaigns of his 17-year career. His 30-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio is the best combination of accuracy and production of any quarterback this season. 

Los Angeles is using routes underneath to dismantle opponents. On shallow routes, Stafford has more than 1,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and an 80% completion rate. He has also been phenomenal in the red zone - a significant area of improvement for the Rams from last season. 

Puka Nacua and Davante Adams complement each other very well. Nacua is brilliant throughout drives, while Adams is lethal in opponents’ territory.

Nacua has caught more than 85% of his targets, accrued 364 yards after the catch, and converted 48 first downs this year. Adams leads the NFL in red zone targets (26), with 10 of his 11 receptions inside the 20 going for touchdowns. 

The Rams’ pass protection is essential to their receivers’ production. Los Angeles has allowed only 110 quarterback pressures and 15 sacks this season; both are top-five figures in the league. 

Los Angeles is not as effective on the ground as in the air, but Kyren Williams is a productive running back nonetheless. Williams’ 4.7 yards per carry is the second-best mark of his career.

Sean McVay uses play-action to devastating effect. Matthew Stafford leads the league in passing yardage on play-action downs (1,166) and has thrown 14 touchdowns on those plays. This has paved the way for Williams to become one of the league’s top-10 rushers with 796 yards.

The Rams travel cross-country to play the Panthers in Charlotte on Sunday. 

The stingy Chiefs defense 

The Chiefs have allowed the fourth-fewest points in the NFL over the last five games (77). They are balanced, capable of defending both the run and pass. Kansas City allows only 293 yards per game.  

The Chiefs’ linebackers are crucial to stopping the run. Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill lead the team in running game tackles. The Chiefs have limited big gains on the ground, keeping running backs between the second and third levels. Bolton is in the top 15 defenders in play-stopping tackles this season.

Chris Jones and George Karlaftis pilot the Chiefs’ pass rush. Both are top-20 players in total pressures through Week 12.

Karlaftis is pairing his pass-rushing ability with dependable tackling. He has missed only one tackle this year and recorded 32 quarterback hurries - both are first-rate numbers in the NFL. The Chiefs are imposing with him next to Jones's savvy play.

Kansas City’s secondary gets solid coverage from its cornerbacks. Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson have allowed only 522 total yards this season. That makes the Chiefs one of four teams with multiple top-25 cornerbacks in yardage allowed. 

Kansas City has given up only 11 passing touchdowns on the season. The Chiefs use man coverage in the red zone to limit separation for opposing receivers. In this role, safeties Chamarri Conner and Bryan Cook have allowed only one score and a combined 147 yards. 

The Chiefs’ defense can spoil drives regardless of where it is on the field. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is a great situational play caller. This unit faces the high-powered Cowboys offense on Thanksgiving in Week 13.