ATLANTA — The Rams wished to make the playoffs within the worst method.
Mission completed. They’re headed to the playoffs within the worst method possible.
Monday night time’s 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons was an abomination — you possibly can really feel that vibe within the postgame locker room — however the Rams want to check it, even when it requires contraptions to pry open their eyes.
-
Share by way of
Gary Klein breaks down what went mistaken for the Rams of their 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night time.
“I feel if we play the way in which that we did within the first half … we’re going to be at house watching all the things go down in two weeks,” defensive deal with Kobie Turner stated. “We’ve received to get our stuff collectively.”
This was one in every of solely 3 times in Sean McVay’s 9 seasons that his workforce was held scoreless within the first half, which is unhealthy sufficient. However that the going-nowhere Falcons constructed a three-touchdown halftime lead is absurd. Not so way back, Atlanta misplaced seven of eight.
The Rams appeared nothing just like the workforce that virtually everybody had on the high of their energy rankings for many of the season. Matthew Stafford had three interceptions. Fill-in left deal with D.J. Humphries had a pair of penalties that worn out two big receptions. And Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson would nonetheless be operating now however determined to cease as soon as he reached the top zone (after a 93-yard landing, thoughts you.)
These Rams who began 9-2 (and will have received these video games in opposition to Philadelphia and San Francisco) are a fading reminiscence. Since, they’ve misplaced three of 5.
Now, all the opposite NFC contenders are getting scorching — Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago — and the Rams are shuddering in an emotional ice bathtub.
Instantly, their erstwhile insignificant finale in opposition to Arizona on Sunday is vitally necessary. They should rediscover their rhythm slightly than hoping to take action within the first spherical of the playoffs. They’ll’t change their swing in the midst of this golf match. They should work out the kinks on the follow vary.
Getting receiver Davante Adams again is essential, and he appeared good in warmups, operating as if his hamstring issues are behind him. However he’s desperately wanted within the purple zone, and that can carry some weight off the shoulders of Puka Nacua.
Simply as necessary, the workforce wants left deal with Alaric Jackson and proper guard Kevin Dotson again from accidents. The Rams are getting a style of what the Chargers have been via all season, their offensive line going via a reshuffle each week.
And the protection ought to profit drastically from the return of Quentin Lake, a quarterback on that facet of the ball.
Regardless, good groups overcome the lack of key gamers and discover methods to win with backups. Each workforce would like to be at full power.
Rams broad receiver Puka Nacua pulls in a protracted move over Atlanta Falcons cornerback C.J. Henderson within the first half Monday.
(Brynn Anderson / Related Press)
And whereas the Rams ought to have been in place to kick the tying subject purpose down the stretch — there was an unflagged move interference in opposition to Tutu Atwell, who made an excellent try to catch a deep ball together with his hand that wasn’t being grabbed — they shouldn’t have been in that predicament within the first place.
As they watched their lead evaporate, the Falcons needed to be having flashbacks to their catastrophic 25-point collapse to New England within the Tremendous Bowl. In any case, the Rams outscored them within the second half, 24-6.
However all of that was chilly comfort to the guests, who couldn’t shut the deal.
The Rams have misplaced back-to-back video games, and had been on the lookout for a lift after blowing a 16-point fourth-quarter lead in Seattle. As an alternative, they received a slap within the face.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford speaks to reporters after a 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday.
(Brynn Anderson / Related Press)
It’s ultra-rare for a workforce to move into the playoffs on a down word but nonetheless attain the mountaintop. The final franchise to do this was Baltimore in 2012, a membership that misplaced 4 of its final 5 video games — albeit lacking a slew of injured stars — then beat in succession groups quarterbacked by Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and an in-his-prime Colin Kaepernick.
So it may be finished. A bumbling workforce can discover its method. And it appeared for a second Monday night time as if the Rams had turned a nook.
Jared Verse blocked a Falcons field-goal try, recovered the bouncing ball and returned it for a 76-yard landing. As he tore previous the Atlanta sideline, he glanced over and playfully raised his hand to kind a G-rated gesture.
Until a dramatic change is coming, it’s a message the remainder of the playoff groups might be saying to the Rams.
Peace out.
