Turf Show Times
In a a tale of two halves, the Los Angeles Rams snatched defeat from the jaws of victory Sunday, losing to the home-team Philadelphia Eagles 33-26. L.A. had two 4th quarter field goals blocked, either of which would have provided a margin for victory. To add insult to injury, the second swat was picked up by a 330 lineman and returned for at touch down at the final gun.
Who to blame? Plenty to go around in a devastating loss. Let go position-by-position.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford went all the way (66, 100%) and again suffered too many hits. While he a couple of nice throw’s, he was off the whole game, just enough to miss a number of big plays. Plays that could have changed the outcome of the game.
Running back
L.A. got some real mileage of the two-headed rotation. Kyren Williams was still the go-to guy (50, 76%) rolling to 122 run/pass yards and although Blake Corum (16, 24%) was down a couple of reps, he ran for 53 yards on eight carries. The Rams didn’t follow last week’s plan of each back getting a series, opting for sporadic individual plays. The two backs complimented each other, Williams primarily up the middle and Corum working from off tackle outward.
Wide receiver
Puka Nacua (60, 91%) continued to show why he should be included when talking about the league’s best. Although Davante Adams (57, 86%) disappeared in the second half, he was loose deep a number of times early in the game and could have had a monster game. He was scuttled by a couple of QB misfires and had his hands on a couple of others that fell to the ground. Only four short targets for seven total yards amongst Jordan Whittington (33, 50%), Tutu Atwell (25, 38%), and Konata Mumpfield (7, 11%). Xavier Smith didn’t work on offense.
Tight end
If you were going to notice Tyler Higbee (36, 55%), Davis Allen (25, 38%), and Colby Parkinson (21, 32%), it would have to be their blocking. The trio had a grand total of three targets, one catch, and three yards.
Offensive line
Kevin Dotson (58, 88%) tweaked an ankle and missed eight snaps. The other starters Alaric Jackson, Justin Dedich, Coleman Shelton, and Rob Havenstein played in all 66 snaps. Beaux Limmer (8, 12%) subbed in for Dotson and struggled. But with Stafford hit seven times on the day, he fit in.
Special teams
Xavier Smith showed that if the outside blockers can hold up the gunners and provide him a little space, he can cause trouble. I’d prefer to see him returning kickoffs, as well. There’s no reason for the opposition to kick towards the better weapon, Jordan Whittington. Having Smith back would nuetralize this. Corum is a good runner, but not really cut for return work. I understand that the Rams want to reward him with touches, but his style is a better in tighter spaces.
Karty had that knuckleball kickoff down pat and really...
