The next two games for the Los Angeles Rams look surprisingly daunting and unexpectedly important.
By now the Rams were supposed to be rolling. But the preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl are 1-2 as they prepare to play the Eaglesin Philadelphia Sunday, Oct. 4 and then the Buffalo Bills at home Oct. 12.
The Rams might be the best 1-2 team in the NFL. But they’re two losses away from falling to 1-4 and into panic mode. So, now what?
Creating solid game plans for the Eagles (2-1) and the Bills(3-0) is critical. But the Rams also need a plan to fix themselves.
Rams defense remains glaring issue
Rams head coach Sean McVay has one of the shapest minds in the NFL for offensive strategy. At his disposal is the NFL's reigning MVP, quarterback Matthew Stafford. Now the team is optimistic
that star receiver Puka Nacua will return to action in Philadelphia after missing two games with a hip and groin injury.
Unfortunately for the Rams, that’ll do little to address their biggest problem: defense. Yes, the Rams rank third in total defense (272.7 yards allowed per game.) But in this case, they eye will tell you as much as numbers crunching.
Last Sunday the Broncos exposed the Rams by scoring 30 points in the second half of its 30-26 victory. Then there was the season opener. Forget about the jet lag in Australia, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Rams’ defense in a 27-7 victory Sept. 10. The Rams’ defense looked formidable in a 28-6 victory over the New York Giants Sept. 21, but the Giants lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart early in the first quarter.
Injuries puts emphasis on better schemes
Remember the inevitability of Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald forming the greatest sack machine in the planet's history? At the moment, and while early, the Rams rank tied for 28th in sacks with three. They are also middle of the pack on hurry percentage (8.6%).
Garrett, recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery he had after the season opener, could be back as soon as Game 6. Donald still is rounding into form after two years out of football.
Garrett and Donald could be an exceptional duo at some point this season. But the Rams don’t have time to wait.
The team needs better schemes, better rotations, better everything, whatever to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Not to mention keep them contained in the pocket. The Rams will face mobile quarterbacks in the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, the three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl MVP in 2025, and the Bills’ Josh Allen, the four-time Pro Bowler and league MVP in 2024.
The Rams' defensive line will feel even more pressure this week because starting cornerback Jaylen Watson is expected to miss the game after dislocating his right shoulder against the Broncos.
Rams mistakes show room for improvement
It'd be misguided to create a plan to fix the Rams focusing exclusively on defense.
The Rams rank first in total offense (417.7 yards per game). But the offense also has committed six turnovers, tied for fifth-highest. One of those turnovers was a pick-6, the one Broncos’ Talanoa Hufanga returned 66 yards for a touchdown. Stafford has a total of four interceptions, tied for the second highest in the NFL.
Stafford needs to cut down on his mistakes. He's not the only one. Against the Broncos, the Rams had 13 penalties for 91 yards.
Fewer yellow flags. More sacks. fewer mistakes. More big plays.
There you go – a game plan to right the ship before it sinks.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rams' biggest problem isn't offense entering crucial two games
