The Los Angeles Rams didn't lose to the San Francisco 49ers because of one individual player. The team as a whole played well below expectations and looked flat in the opener in Australia.
The good news is it was just one of 17 games on the schedule and they have a great opportunity to bounce back against the New York Giants in Week 2.
By no means will the Giants be an easy team to beat, but the conditions are much more favorable for the Rams. They're at home after 10 days of rest and shouldn't feel any jet lag effects from their long trip to Australia. Plus, they're not facing Kyle Shanahan, Raheem Morris and the 49ers, who know them better than any other team in the NFL.
These five players had poor performances in the opener against the 49ers,
and the Rams will need them to come back with a strong showing on Monday night.
QB Matthew Stafford
In his first start since winning league MVP, Stafford had one of his worst games as a member of the Rams. His 61.2 passer rating was his second-worst since coming to Los Angeles in 2021, throwing for only 155 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
He wasn't playing with the same conviction and decisiveness that he did last year, seemingly holding onto the ball longer than usual because either his receivers weren't open or he wasn't reading the defense correctly. It's no reason for concern because he should bounce back against the Giants, but it wasn't the way he wanted to start the season.
WR Davante Adams
Adams didn't catch a pass until the third quarter, with his first reception of the year being a 13-yarder. He finished the game with three catches for 26 yards and was only on the field for one of the Rams' seven snaps inside the 10-yard line – a puzzling development for the NFL's reigning touchdown reception leader.
The Rams should look to get Adams more involved early against the Giants so he can get into the flow of the game, even if it's just with short, quick passes instead of downfield shots.
TE Terrance Ferguson
Ferguson was tabbed as the secret weapon of the Rams offense all offseason but he was a complete non-factor against the 49ers. He was targeted only once, a deep shot that fell incomplete and wasn't close to being catchable. He played 51% of the snaps, so he was on the field plenty, but he just wasn't involved in what was admittedly an anemic passing game.
Though Ferguson doesn't have game-breaking speed, he could wind up being the Rams' deep threat because of his athleticism and size. Hopefully we'll see that come to life against the Giants.
OLB Byron Young
With Myles Garrett out, Young becomes an even more important player for the Rams. He won't see as many one-on-one opportunities without Garrett on the other side of the defense, so it'll be on him to beat his blocker and generate pressure off the edge. He didn't have a great game against the 49ers, recording just one tackle and two total pressures and no QB hits or sacks.
Young has the ability and talent to be a No. 1 pass rusher on this defense and he'll get to prove that for at least the next four games – starting with Monday's matchup.
NT Poona Ford
Ford had a minimal impact on last week's game, failing to record a single tackle or QB hit. He did have one pressure, but his primary job is to stop the run, and he struggled in that department. The 49ers rushed for 174 yards on 30 carries, and the Giants will take a similar approach on offense with Cam Skattebo and fullback Patrick Ricard.
It'll be on Ford to step up and close down running lanes, particularly on third-and-short when New York is trying to move the chains up the middle.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 5 Rams who must play better in Week 2 vs. Giants
