Rams exhale after another win but know this level of play isn’t good enough

Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/1328575/2019/10/27/rams-exhale-after-another-win-but-know-this-level-of-play-isnt-good-enough/?source=shared-article

LONDON — Bloodied and reeling after a three-punch barrage sent them crashing to the canvass, the Rams’ sense of urgency was at its highest level three weeks ago. Then a fortuitous break in the schedule delivered the hapless Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals to their doorstep, and that bit of good fortune, coupled with a feeling of imperativeness, awakened them just in time to save their season.

A two-game sweep of the soft belly of their schedule ensued, culminating with Cooper Kupp’s brilliant takeover of prestigious Wembley Stadium on Sunday in a 24-10 win over the Bengals. For the moment, the Rams seem to have averted the disaster they were facing at the start of the month. And while they’re not wholly satisfied or content, they will happily embrace the winning streak and the 5-3 record they’ve managed as they start their bye week.

“We’ll get our players a chance to get themselves healthy, get away a little bit,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “Our staff will get some rest and look at ourselves, figure out what can we do a great job of from an evaluation standpoint, especially these first eight weeks, and then putting ourselves in a position to hopefully peak at the right time.”

The second half of the season awaits, and the Rams’ recent surge provides renewed hope and at least a chance to chase down the division-leading San Francisco 49ers and second-place Seattle Seahawks during the final eight games of the season. There is still time and opportunity to achieve even their most ambitious goals, and given where they stood just a couple weeks ago, the good vibes swirling around their locker room on Sunday seemed justified.

“I like our chances. I like our odds against anybody,” Rams safety Eric Weddle said when asked about his mindset as the second half of the season approaches. “When we play at a high level and communicate and do things we’re supposed to do, I like our chances against anybody.”

He said it with conviction. But there was also a fair warning.

“We can’t have little lapses here and there,” Weddle said.

He was talking in generalities, but parts of Sunday provided specific examples. As did plenty of other wobbly, inefficient stretches and sequences during the first eight games. Some they survived; many others they didn’t. It all adds up to a less-than-stellar record and a third-place standing in the NFC West and explains why we can’t yet go all-in on these 2019 Rams.

A blowout loomed Sunday. Kupp totaled 165 of his career-best 220 receiving yards in the first half, as the Bengals continually lost track of the Rams’ receivers. Problem is, the Rams’ defense couldn’t quite put a first-half clamp of the Bengals’ offense, which resulted in a rather confusing 17-10 Rams halftime lead.

The defense restored order in the second half and recorded a shutout, but even though Jared Goff and all his weapons repeatedly got the ball in favorable positions, the offense that lit up the Bengals in the first half pretty much disappeared over the final two quarters.

The Rams never lost control, and never once did the game feel in doubt, but the Bengals marched into the Rams’ red zone twice in the last five minutes with chances to pull within one score. They surrendered on downs at the Rams’ 6- and 9-yard-lines, respectively, but what should have been a complete takedown of a winless opponent turned into something far less impressive.

Once again, the Rams’ inability to establish a potent run game made it difficult to close out an easy win. Todd Gurley managed just 44 yards on 10 carries and wasn’t on the field at all in the fourth quarter. Darrell Henderson wasn’t much better, with 49 yards on 11 carries, and he certainly wasn’t up to the challenge of closing out the game when the Rams kept feeding him in the fourth quarter.

The quality of opponent rendered the inefficiency moot. But on another day, against a better team, it might very well have resulted in their demise.

Goff had 273 yards in the first half, on 13-of-19 passing. He completed just four of his 12 second-half passes for 99 yards. Kupp had five catches for 165 yards through the first two quarters but then had just two more for 55 yards.

The Bengals simply weren’t good enough to take advantage.

But the NFC is loaded with other teams that can — the Seahawks and 49ers among them.

Once again, the Rams sabotaged themselves at too many junctures with costly penalties — nine total, for 59 yards. They survived, but mostly because they were playing against a team that is barreling toward the first winless season in franchise history.

That makes sizing up the Rams so difficult.

For all the flashes of brilliance, for all the displays of power, there have been far too many moments of inefficiency. The Rams have lacked staying power this year. Where prolonged success was the norm last year, there are noticeable gaps.

It might not be glaring.

But unless they regain consistency, it could be their undoing.

“And you go all the way back to the games that we weren’t able to pull out that W, it’s little things that I think show up throughout the game that can change the course of a game,” Kupp said. “Play against some good teams and they take advantage of small things and it changes the course of games.

“And that’s what I’m saying, we’ve got to be on our Ps and Qs. The little things, the little nuances of the game that you have to be good at to be a good team in this league, because there’s so many competitive teams, so many good players, they’ll make you pay if you make mistakes. It’s on us to focus in and make sure we’re not making those mistakes.”

As the Rams prepared for one last night in London before heading home to Los Angeles on Monday, they were already thinking ahead to reestablishing their power and balance. They all feel the answers are within their building and are there for the finding. And they are eager to get it figured out.

“I think it is going to be a lot of things,” McVay said. “It’s hard to point out one thing individually. But I do think that there’s going to be a lot of things in all three phases that, the types of coaches (and) the types of players we have, with the standards that we expect to operate with day in, day out and game in, game out, there’s definitely going to be some good things we can look at. And it’s nice to feel that way after two wins.”

The Rams took care of business the last two weeks to point themselves back in the right direction. But as they left Wembley Stadium, there was recognition of the work ahead of them.

“You never take for granted wins in this league,” Weddle said. “Everyone knows where we were at two-and-a-half weeks ago. And rightfully so. We weren’t playing well, we let a game get away and we played terrible against ‘Frisco. You know, we didn’t play well. So you reel it back in and as I was telling the guys, we all get a little bit better, just look at yourself first.

“And look, (we were) six games in. You never want to start too fast in this league and then you hit a lull. I believe we hit some adversity up front, we got through it, and now we’re gonna be hitting our stride in the second half. And that’s what you want, ultimately. You want to be playing your best ball in November and December.”

TSRF wrote:

Does he have a No Trade clause? If yes, I don’t think he is going to be traded. In fact, if they DO trade him, I think that will signal that they are giving up on this year.

Maybe I’m wrong, but wouldn’t it be a big shot in the arm to get Talib back for a playoff run?

He turned down a trade before. He was traded to SF before the Rams, and simply refused to report for a physical. Talib is one guy they know can get out of a trade.

Aaron Donald goes double swipe/rip for the sack. But seriously, can someone explain to me what that guard was doing? #LARams pic.twitter.com/r2sRlworvU

— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) October 27, 2019

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
I certainly understand the attitude of “a win’s a win.” But the Rams do, and should, have high expectations for themselves. Getting back on track like this is important, but much more is needed.

Andrew Whitworth now has a victory over every existing NFL team. I’m not even sure if the Browns can say that.

Rams were held without a first-quarter touchdown for the 7th time in 8 games. They had only one possession, of course.

Dante Fowler got full credit for that last sack so he now has 6.5 for the season, including 4.5 in the last 6 quarters.

Cooper Kupp is at 220 receiving yards. Here are the top 3 games in Rams history:
1. Willie Anderson, 336 yards at New Orleans, 11/26/89
2. Jim Benton, 303 yards at Detroit, 11/22/45
3. Harold Jackson, 238 yards vs. Dallas, 10/14/73

London is his city!

It's been a pleasure @TG3II 👊@RamsNFL #nfluk pic.twitter.com/AFv1aMqBBL

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) October 27, 2019

Joel Corry@corryjoel
If still an agent, I wouldn’t recommend clients signing with the Jets in free agency because of Kelechi Osemele & prolonged unreasonableness with payment schedule of Quinnen Willams’ signing bonus unless no other options or much better money than somewhere else.

This Trump supporter, who went viral because of this absurd video calling on immigrants to “respect our laws,” has been…arrested for identity theft. pic.twitter.com/szvxCOO3KX

— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) October 27, 2019

We’ll get to see Jalen Ramsey in his second game with the #LARams today vs the #Bengals – how LA is hoping that'll make a difference for its defense👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/dzjyeH2If5

— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) October 27, 2019

Gary Klein@LATimesklein
Rams OT Andrew Whitworth has played against every NFL team….except one. He completes that today when he plays against the Cincinnati Bengals, his team for 11 seasons.

Andrew Siciliano@AndrewSiciliano
IF the Rams beat the Bengals, Andrew Whitworth would become the 12th player to start in victories over ALL 32 current NFL franchises.

If the Bengals lose, Andy Dalton would become the the first QB in @NFL history to open seasons both 0-8 AND 8-0 (2015).

J.B. Long@JB_Long
One more travel obstacle for #LARams to overcome…

Due to dense Sunday afternoon traffic around Wembley, just now pulling up to the stadium.

Will be an abbreviated warm up

J.B. Long@JB_Long
The NFC West goes into Week 8 as the only division in the NFL without a losing team. Six other divisions have multiple teams with losing records.

Meantime, the 49ers, Seahawks, Rams and Cardinals have combined for an 18-8-1 start, and three of those losses were head-to-head.

Under Sean McVay, the Rams are 4-0 going into and coming out of a bye.

Very cool note from Travis Langer, of award-winning Rams P.R. department fame, about left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Sunday, he has a chance to be the 12th starter in NFL history to defeat all 32 franchises.

Big Whit has been very transparent about how his tenure in Cincinnati ended after 11 seasons. And his teammates want this one for him.

One of the revelations of the Rams being more multiple with their offensive personnel lately has been the blocking ability of Johnny Mundt. At 233 pounds, he’s the lightest of the Rams trio, but that didn’t stop him from pancaking Vic Beasley last week. And according to Pro Football Focus, he graded even better in pass protection.

per NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Cincinnati rushers have been stuffed on 31.3% of their attempts, easily the highest rate in the league.

Kelechi Osemele injury update: Jets guard (shoulder) gets doctor’s, NFLPA’s backing

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/kelechi-osemele-injury-update-jets-guard-shoulder-to-have-surgery-teams-ok-or-not/de0jnpegb6gw105n5epdp69r2

The curious case of Kelechi Osemele’s disagreement with the Jets about the guard’s shoulder injury continued to get stranger Thursday.

To recount: Osemele, who said last week he needs surgery for a torn labrum that the Jets haven’t approved, is being fined by the team for missing practice as conduct detrimental to the team.

On Wednesday, he said after receiving a third opinion on the shoulder, he will have surgery Friday, with or without the team’s OK, according to multiple reports.

The NFLPA on Thursday came out in support of Osemele, saying, in part, in a statement, “It is not appropriate or ethical for employers in any line of work to dictate the medical care and treatment of any employee. We are considering all options to protect Kelechi Osemele, as we would for any of our members.”

ProFootballTalk@ProFootballTalk
The Bengals and LT Cordy Glenn are squabbling over the handling of his concussion; at one point, the Bengals fined Glenn $200,000 for conduct detrimental to the team

Ian Rapoport@RapSheet
The situation between the #Bengals and OL Cordy Glenn has come to a head. The team has suspended him for one game for internal disciplinary reasons.

David J. Chao@ProFootballDoc
Since so much of concussion evaluation is based on the patient, the player has all the power. Don’t see how a team could fine a player as it is very hard (impossible?) to prove malingering.

I am sure there is more to this story than meets the eye. And when it comes out, this will all make sense.