As a courtesy, it might be wise to locate the panic button for the Los Angeles Rams.
Head coach Sean McVay and his players showed no interest in doing it themselves after a30-26 loss to the Denver Broncos dropped the Rams’ record to 1-2. Just in case you forgot, the 1-2 Rams were preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl.
“It’s nothing to freak out about, man,’’ Rams receiver Davante Adams told reporters. "It's a lot of football left.''
There are 14 games left on the team's regular-season schedule. But the possibility of panic, or the need for it, isn’t too far away.
The Rams play in Philadelphia against the 2-0 Eagles Sunday, Oct. 4. Next up, the Rams will play the Buffalo Bills (3-0) on “Monday Night Football” Oct. 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood,
Calif. After those two games, it wouldn't be implausible for the Rams to be 1-4.
With 12 games to play, that could leave the Rams fighting for a wild card berth.
Seven wild card teams have won the Super Bowl, but that’s not exactly what the Rams had in mind when they traded for Myles Garrett; coaxed Aaron Donald out of retirement; signed Matthew Stafford to a one-year, $55 million deal; and signed McVay to a multi-year deal.
From down under to down and out for Rams
The Rams downplayed their 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia's season opener. As if the disastrous travel strategy they used makes it less impactful. (FYI: the NFL still considers it a loss.)
The Rams put more emphasis on their 28-6 victory over the New York Giants in Week 2. But it’s worth remembering that Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered a season-ending injury during the team’s first drive against the Rams.
The Rams got burned by a highly questionable pass interference call late in their loss to the Broncos. But after taking a 16-0 lead at halftime, the Rams gave up 30 points in the second half.
Stafford passed for 390 yards and two touchdowns. But he also threw two interceptions, including a Pick-6.
The Rams looked exceptional in stretches. They also committed 13 penalties for 91 yards.
It’s early, but it’s also uneven play for a team once favored to win the Super Bowl.
Dodgers success gives hope
Garrett, who’s recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, could be back in the lineup as early as Week 6. It would be no surprise if he and Aaron Donald live up to expectations as a ferocious tandem of rushers.
Rams star receiver Puka Nacua, sidelined for the past two games with a hip and groin injury, could form a dangerous tandem with Adams when he’s back.
Rams running back Kyren Williams appears to be rounding into form, rushing for 88 yards against the Broncos.
Not to mix metaphors, but the Dodgers might offer helpful perspective. They opened the season as heavy favorites to win the World Series, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts refused to panic when the team suffered through slumps.
The MLB playoffs will start with the Dodgers still favored to win the World Series.
McVay might attempt to serve the Rams in the same way – even if it feels like it’s time to panic.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Time for Rams to panic? Optimism, concern surface after 1-2 start
