media & analysts on the CAROLINA game

Five Takeaways: Rams 13-10 loss to Panthers

By Myles Simmons

http://www.therams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Five-Takeaways-Rams-13-10-loss-to-Panthers/8b886cdb-ea91-4c21-ac75-b383867feb3a

After Sunday’s 13-10 loss to Carolina, the Rams have dropped four in a row, bringing their 2016 record to 3-5. Los Angeles’ defense once again played well in defeat, but, as head coach Jeff Fisher said postgame, the offense has to step up. With that in mind, here are five takeaways from Sunday’s contest.

1) “Enough is enough”

Those were the words of Rams veteran offensive lineman Rodger Saffold in the locker room after Sunday’s game. While L.A. put a touchdown on the board with just over 30 seconds left in the game to make the score close, the offense struggled to get anything going for the first three quarters. Through the third period, the Rams had not scored and had registered only 191 total yards.

“We’re absolutely crushed,” Saffold said. “Enough is enough. We know we have to put in more work on offense and have to score touchdowns.

“I don’t blame any one group,” Saffold continued. “I don’t blame coaching. I don’t blame anything but just collectively, we need to figure it out because our defense is out here putting up games. And we need to be able to capitalize. Enough is enough. Enough just sitting around and saying, ‘Let’s stick together.’ It’s time to just go power it in.”

The Rams are averaging just 16.3 points per game, which puts them at No. 32 in the category. There were opportunities to score more points — specifically on an overthrown pass to an open Brian Quick with the wide receiver running down the right sideline, and a dropped pass in the end zone from tight end Lance Kendricks. But in general, the offense has to begin executing better in order for L.A. to get back to winning games.

Fisher put it succinctly and directly postgame by saying, “We have to figure out a way to score some points.”

2) Any question at quarterback?

Case Keenum finished strong on Sunday, but had another uneven performance. His final numbers: 27-of-46 passing for 296 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was also sacked four times.

“Not good enough. It wasn’t good enough,” Keenum said after the game. “Again, a turnover cost us and not good enough on third down. There were couple plays there that I want back, but it wasn’t good enough. I have to go look at it on film, but it was not good enough.”

Coaches are almost always reticent to announce a quarterback change immediately following a game, preferring to watch the film and make a decision based on what they see instead of emotion. That was part of Fisher’s response when asked about a potential switch to No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff.

“We’re going to lick our wounds here, and it’s still fresh. I’m going to look at the tape,” Fisher said. “I would submit that Case was not the reason we lost this game today. We just didn’t make plays in all three phases.

“We’ll circle the wagons with the coaches and look at the tape, but I’m pleased with the way Case has fought,” Fisher continued. “As I say consistently, repeatedly, week after week, I’m pleased with Jared’s progress.”

3) Run game continues to struggle

One of the Rams’ most significant offensive issues is its inability to run the ball effectively. Over the last two games, running back Todd Gurley has recorded just 27 carries for 105 yards — including 12 carries for 48 yards on Sunday. One of those carries came from the wildcat, as Gurley broke off his longest run of the season — 18 yards.

Gurley has, however, been contributing in the pass game, making four receptions for 26 yards on Sunday. But the running back has still not recorded a game of at least 100 yards rushing all season.

“We’re picking it up trying to spread the ball around. They’re taking the run away with respect to the fronts and the stunting, so we pick it up and throw it,” Fisher said. “It’s not a Todd thing, it’s not a personal thing from Todd. You can see how explosive he is when we get the ball in his hands.”

That opponents have been working hard to take the run away is reflected in Keenum’s 99 pass attempts over the last two games — 53 against the Giants and 46 against the Panthers. It’s been an issue all season, but the Rams have to get their run game going as a catalyst for their entire offense.

4) More strong defensive work

Over the last two games, Los Angeles’ defense has allowed a total of two touchdowns. While the Giants scored 17 points in London, one of those TDs came on an interception return.

“As I just finished with the team, painting a realistic picture over the last two weeks, our defense has given up a touchdown to Eli Manning and Cam Newton, and that’s it,” Fisher said. “That’s a winning effort.

“We have to continue to keep the defense playing at this rate, this effort, and with the production,” Fisher added.

Carolina mustered just 244 total yards and 16 first downs on the Rams’ defense. Quarterback Cam Newton finished 20-of-32 passing for 225 yards and a touchdown. L.A. kept the Panthers’ ground game in check as well, with Newton recording 16 yards on seven carries, and Jonathan Stewart gaining just 42 yards on 15 carries — an 2.8-yard average. Fisher credited middle linebacker Alec Ogletree’s on-field leadership for those results.

“I thought Alec did a great job putting the defense in position to stunt, to stop, and audible from a defensive standpoint and stop the run,” Fisher said. “I thought we tackled well. We didn’t give up a lot of plays.”

“We said going in we didn’t want to give up big plays and try to stop the run and limit them to small gains here and there. So I feel like we played pretty well on defense,” Ogletree said. “But we’ve got a little more work to do to try to win these close games.”

5) Pressuring Newton

One of the reasons L.A. was able to successfully contain Carolina’s offense was the pressure it put on Newton throughout the day. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams often puts a premium on blitzing in order to to pressure opposing quarterbacks, and that was clearly the case on Sunday.

The Rams got to Newton for five sacks, including two by defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Donald now leads the Rams with 5.0 sacks on the season.

“Gregg, he called a great game, giving us opportunities to run,” defensive end Robert Quinn said. “For the most part, the secondary had their guys locked down, giving us time. Once you’ve got the opportunity, you try to get him down, and our guys did a great job.

“Of course, we’d like to get the ball out and score on defense, but we rattled him in the pocket to give ourselves a chance,” Quinn continued. “We just have to keep building from there.”