The Los Angeles Rams survived a forced return to 11 personnel Sunday because tight end Tyler Higbee delivered when the offense needed him most. Higbee’s late catches, including a back-shoulder grab from Matthew Stafford, helped sustain the comeback and lead the Rams to a 24-20 win in Philadelphia after injuries depleted the tight end group and pushed head coach Sean McVay away from his early-season 13-personnel approach.
Locked On Rams host Gavin Carlson said McVay used 11 personnel on 88% of the offensive snaps after deploying 13 personnel at an NFL-high 42% rate over the first three games. The shift put three wide receivers on the field but did not immediately solve the offense’s problems; Carlson said the Rams posted a negative success rate from 11 personnel.
Higbee changed the equation. Locked On Rams co-host Travis Rodgers said the veteran’s contributions were essential, arguing the Rams would have lost without his key plays in the more spread-out package. The performance gave McVay a reliable outlet as Los Angeles played from behind and needed a passing-game answer late.
The personnel decision also sharpened attention on rookie tight end Max Klare, who played one snap despite the team’s heavy investment in the position. Rodgers said tight end is one of the most demanding assignments in McVay’s system and suggested the coaching staff may be waiting until Klare, a second-round pick, is fully ready before expanding his workload.
That explanation does not remove the larger question for the Rams. Their 13-personnel identity helped shape the roster, but Higbee’s showing demonstrated that the offense still has a viable late-game counter when circumstances force McVay back toward three-receiver formations. The next test is whether Los Angeles can retain that flexibility without losing the matchup advantages that made its tight end-heavy plan effective.
The Rams now turn toward a matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Monday, when Higbee’s role and the availability of the other tight ends will help determine whether McVay stays versatile or returns more fully to 13 personnel.
Rams News and Notes
– Defensive coordinator Chris Shula received praise for an aggressive third-down adjustment against Philadelphia. Carlson said Los Angeles blitzed on 89% of third downs after normally doing so about one-third of the time, and the Eagles went 0-for-12 on third down.
– Carlson said the Rams had the NFL’s worst penalty-yardage gap through four games after taking eight penalties for 100 yards against the Eagles. Rodgers called the repeated preventable mistakes especially troubling for an experienced team coached by McVay.
– Special teams remain a major concern after a 41-yard punt return by Britain Covey helped set up an Eagles touchdown and Harrison Mevis missed a field goal from the 48 yards out. Rodgers said every major special-teams phase has underperformed and warned that the unit could limit the Rams’ postseason ceiling.
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