Spare Parts and Slow Starts: How health concerns have hurt the Rams' return to contention

Week three for the Rams went surprisingly well, with a 20-12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. What helped the Rams win this game? To put it simply, our offense won us that game. Whether it was Cooper Kupp's 20-yard touchdown, Cam Akers' 14-yard touchdown, or Matt Gay's two field goals. Rams rookie cornerback Derion Kendrick had a fantastic game by forcing a critical incomplete pass on fourth down and allowing seven catches for 78 yards on 13 targets. The rams also had Jalen Ramsey, who forced two incompletions, two coverage stops and allowed three catches on four targets for 14 yards on 49 coverage snaps. Unfortunately, Ramsey didn't play that well for the next two games against the 49ers and the Cowboys.

During week four for the Rams they played the 49ers. With an injured team consisting of key offensive linemen and defensive players, it wasn't a surprise we lost. The rams were missing two cornerbacks, two linebackers, a center, and a guard. In an embarrassing 24-9 loss, the rams were getting beat on each side of the ball. Whether it was the pick-six Stafford threw, or when Stafford got sacked a total of six times.

 

They were moving on to week five against the Cowboys. The Cowboys beat the Rams 22-10 by beating us on offense with our injury-ridden offensive line. Former Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson has been nonexistent on offense which will take time. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp and now healthy tight end Tyler Higbee seemed to be the only offensive power for the Rams by accounting for 14 completions on 20 targets for a touchdown and 171 yards. With so many players leaving after last year's Super Bowl, the Rams now face the problem of finding talent and trying to make the playoffs rather than defending the title.

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Photos by John Dillon and Joe Camporeale