[HopHead Ram]

Titans answer questions while Rams create them in Tennessee's easy win at Los Angeles

Published: Nov 08, 2021 at 02:26 AM
Jim Trotter
NFL.com Columnist


INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Everything Sean McVay said after Sunday night's 28-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans in SoFi Stadium was correct: He didn't coach a good game; it's tough to get into a flow with 12 penalties for 115 yards; the Titans did a nice job overall and particularly in some one-on-one pass-rush situations.

Here's what he did not say that he could have said: A disturbing pattern is developing with the Los Angeles Rams' offense.

The unit is a thing of beauty when able to play with pace and have the down-and-distance in its favor. Points are as plentiful as Southern California sun rays on those occasions. But the sky turns gray when the Rams are matched against physical defensive fronts that are complemented by speed and coverage ability on the backend. In those instances, Los Angeles' offense -- and the pass protection, in particular -- can give the appearance that it is overmatched.

We saw it in the first two quarters Sunday, when defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons became just the second player since 2016 to have six quarterback pressures and three sacks in a single half, per Next Gen Stats, once putting guard David Edwards on roller skates and bull-rushing him into Matthew Stafford. We saw it earlier this year in a 37-20 loss to the Cardinals, when the unit followed a solid first quarter by being held to a field goal over the next 43-plus minutes. We saw it last season in the 32-18 playoff defeat to the Packers, when L.A. gave up four sacks and converted on just 2-of-8 third downs. And we saw it three seasons ago in the 13-3 Super Bowl loss to the Patriots.

There is the growing perception that the more physical and muddy an opponent makes the game, the less the Rams like it. Their offense is about motion and misdirection and creating advantages by making defenders a half-step slower while processing all that they are seeing. But that potential edge vanishes if opponents are able to change the line of scrimmage and get upfield, as the Titans consistently did in passing situations.

Hard hitting analysis there Jim! That kinda works on every single freaking team.

[bremillard]

We had a bad game. PERIOD. It happens. No excuses. We got outplayed in the trenches and it killed us. You could tell this team wasn't mentally sharp by the uncharacteristic penalties. Stafford was holding on to the ball waaaay to long and instead of just tossing the ball, he held on to it for unnecessary sacks. He said it himself, he was looking for the big play too much and wasn't taking what the Defense was giving him. Burn the tape and move on to Niners week. We take care of business on Monday night and we head into our bye week at 8-2. We need the rest.

To those "Fans" that emotional post....I get your frustrated, we are all frustrated with the teams performance THIS week but to make blanket statements that we suck and you are out is pathetic. Your choice but we do not forget and we have receipts. One amazing and unique thing this RFU community has is the level of intelligence and maturity when it comes to this team. We can call out a bad game or bad play without sounding like a child....usually

This team is still learning and growing. The Defense is getting better and the Offense is still elite ( one bad game does not wipe that away). I truly believe that the NFC West is still the Rams to win (AZ is no joke) and we will be the #1 seed in the NFC when the playoffs roll around.

Everything you just said was logical and probable. I don't like to play the "what if" game but San Francisco is looming large. Let's see how this conversation sounds 7 days from now.

[bremillard]

Toughness vs Finesse….Southern hospitality and hard work vs Tinsletown and Showtime.

The LA Rams are what they are. Snoop is in the house. We’re fans and we know theres a Hollywood edge to the team. Look no further than the trade for Von Miller- Wasnt that splashy! Yet we lead the league in sacks when that trade was made, so that was a wierd day. We sold the farm to trade in a pretty good QB for an older, very good QB. Our draft war room is at a beachy Malibu estate, not a smoke filled boiler room in the basement of an iconic downtown building. And we dont care about draft picks anyway! Our coaches lady is so physically attractive that our own QB at the time was quoted “I’d PIPE that”… um….ok grasshopper, insert drama.

With this knowledge, it appears we need to get used to the trend where we allow others to come into our house and smack us around alittle bit. I mean, wasnt there an LACMA red carpet gala last night? You know….distractions.

We’ll be in the show at the end of the year. But along the way, try to be realistic about the nature of this team. I really wish we’d lay our eggs on the road though. Hate getting beat up at home.

Hey McVay, Hey team captains. Im talkin to you…..Please protect this house.

Great post!

[AvengerRam]

Interestingly, the Rams are one of 11 teams in the NFL who have a better record on the road than at home.

[HopHead Ram]

Interestingly, the Rams are one of 11 teams in the NFL who have a better record on the road than at home.

It is unique that this team plays really well on the road

[VegasRam]

2 games in which they could have showed the world they are for real and they took a shit both times. McVay sucks at adjustments and if he wants to be a great coach they have to win games like these. Pfff

I'm out for the year guys. You can find me on injured reserve. Take care the rest of the way. See you at the draft! Where we have no picks lol.

See ya.

[HopHead Ram]

I always assumed that R4L stood for Rams for Life but apparently I was mistaken....I wonder what it actually means.

[RamDog]

Wait….what? We just had a fan call out the rest of the year? Wow…..

I guess I didnt read the entire origional post.

Not a good look @R4L

You aint gettin back on this bus come playoff time bruh….

[Will0120]

2 games in which they could have showed the world they are for real and they took a shit both times. McVay sucks at adjustments and if he wants to be a great coach they have to win games like these. Pfff

I'm out for the year guys. You can find me on injured reserve. Take care the rest of the way. See you at the draft! Where we have no picks lol.

Is this a train station? You ain't gotta announce your departure cause nobody cares! See ya never!

[Hacksaw]

Cmon everyone. @R4L is a good guy. He just overreacted. Let's not make it impossible for him to recant by berating him. I know I felt pretty bad during the game (no I'd never quit them) so I'm cutting him some slack..