week 8 power rankings

ESPN

11. Los Angeles Rams (4-3)

Week 7 ranking: 11

Recalibrated expectation: Keep their playoff streak alive

The two-time-defending NFC West champions are in third place in the division, three games behind the 49ers in the loss column. There is little to no margin for error through the remainder of their schedule if they want to keep hopes of a third consecutive division title alive. More likely, the Rams are playing for a wild-card berth. The schedule will get tougher after a Week 9 bye, but the offense has another chance at a get-right game coming up against the winless Bengals, while the defense received a boost in Jalen Ramsey. Clay Matthews is expected to return in November too. — Lindsey Thiry

NFL Network

14. Los Angeles Rams (4-3)

Previous rank: No. 16

The Rams needed that. Playing a Falcons team that looks like it’s ready to call it a season before Halloween, Los Angeles won the battle on both sides of the ball in a 37-10 victory. Trade acquisition Jalen Ramsey made a successful debut as the new centerpiece of Wade Phillips’ secondary, with the cornerback shadowing Julio Jones for much of the afternoon and keeping the all-world wideout in check. Aaron Donald knocked Matt Ryan out of the game with a sack and forced fumble, while Dante Fowler had his best game of the year, tallying three sacks and a forced fumble. Ryan was sacked five times overall as the Rams held the Falcons’ offense (which has been solid this season) to just 224 total yards. The three-game losing streak is history; now is the time for Sean McVay’s team to get back on track. Up next: the winless Bengals.

Yahoo! Sports

12. Los Angeles Rams (4-3, LW: 12)

I’m not sure beating up on the pathetic Falcons means the Rams are back. But it’s sure better than losing. One interesting wrinkle on Sunday was that the Rams ran much more two-tight end offense than in previous seasons with Sean McVay. They’ve been almost exclusively a three-receiver offense with McVay. We’ll see if that was a strategic choice for the Falcons, or if it’s a shift in how the Rams will play offense.

Bleacher Report

12. Los Angeles Rams (4-3)

High: 11

Low: 12

Last Week: 13

Week 7 Result: Won at Atlanta 37-10

After dropping three games in a row (including a pair of embarrassing losses at home), the Los Angeles Rams desperately needed to get things back on track.

Luckily for them, the Atlanta Falcons were more than happy to oblige.

This isn’t to say that all is now well in La-La Land. Far from it—against one of the worst defenses in the league, the Rams managed just 90 rushing yards on 36 carries. Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 268 yards and two scores, but that’s just a so-so effort given how bad the Falcons are against the pass.

However, the Rams did what they needed to do—blow out an inferior opponent and end their skid.

The Rams have a chance to get a little momentum going—starting with next week’s tilt with the winless Bengals, the Rams’ next three opponents have a combined record of 5-14.

But with the 49ers rolling along at 6-0, the Rams also have very little margin for error.

Sporting News

11. Los Angeles Rams, (4-3)

The Rams against the Falcons rediscovered what had been a lost offense and defense. They looked more like the reigning NFC champions in Atlanta, but they have a long way to go to vie for another division title.

USA Today

13. Rams (18): Get-right game at Atlanta may be first of many as NFC champs don’t face team with winning record until Ravens visit L.A. in Week 12.

Pro Football Talk

12. Rams (4-3; No. 12): Jalen Ramsey has promised not to hold out next year. The real question is whether he has promised not to fake a back injury.

Sports Illustrated

12. LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-3)

Previous rank: 15

Points in poll: 151

Highest-place vote: 10 (3 voters)

Lowest-place vote: 14 (1 voter)

Last week’s result: Beat Atlanta, 37-10

This week: vs. Cincinnati

Atlanta was just what the doctor ordered–on both sides of the ball. While Aaron Donald did this, Dante Fowler Jr. collected three sacks and Jared Goff (22-of-37, 268 yards, 2 TDs) reappeared. Up next? An even worse team at home.

Touchdown Wire

15. Los Angeles Rams

It’s interesting how the Cowboys’ and Rams’ fortunes mirror each other this season. Both teams started the season with three impressive wins, followed that with three straight losses, and each beat their Week 7 opponents, 37-10. While the Cowboys dismantled the Eagles, the Falcons were Sean McVay’s patsy. Newly acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey looked good covering Julio Jones, quarterback Jared Goff somehow juked Atlanta linebacker Deion Jones for a rushing touchdown, and Goff was also able to dissect Atlanta’s pass defense, as he should. It’s not the kind of thing that has the Rams at the top of the NFC West in anybody’s mind, but it’s a nice turnaround for a team in desperate need of one.