The St. Louis Rams looked to string together back-to-back road victories and head into the bye week with a record of 3-2. However, the only thing the Rams strung together was another frustrating loss 24-10 to the Green Bay Packers.
The most frustrating thing about this loss was this was yet another winnable game for the Rams. The Rams ran more plays, actually had more first downs, even gained more yards than the Packers.
The Rams defense held the high- powered Packers in check most of the afternoon with the exception of a miscommunication in the secondary, and prior to that a costly penalty by rotational defensive lineman Nick Fairley that turned a 3rd and 11, into a 3rd and 6. The Rams defense registered two sacks, two interceptions, and a fumble. Plus they was playing without the services of linebacker Alec Ogletree, who may be lost for the season with an ankle injury.
This loss is all on Rams coach Jeff Fisher. This team didn’t look prepared at all, keeping up with the theme that his team doesn’t play well outside of the division. Just look at the offensive totals in three of the losses this year: at Washington 10 points, at Pittsburg 6 points, and at Green Bay 10 points. Yet in both wins against division foes the Rams scored over 30 against Seattle, and 24 against the Arizona Cardinals.
When Fisher arrived in 2012 he stressed about the importance of the Rams winning the division. I couldn’t agree more. The only catch is that there are only six division games for the Rams. So what do you do about the other 10 games that are on your schedule?
This is his fourth year at the helm. The scheme on both offense and defense has remained the same, and the Rams still can’t get over the hump, or bump, or lump. And some of his decision-making is just quite bizarre.
Starting with offensive game plan, I can’t understand how the Rams go the entire first quarter without putting the ball in the hands of WR Tavon Austin. He is by far the most dangerous offensive option for this offense. When he gets the ball, it opens up everything and everyone else. Rookie running back Todd Gurley has put up back-to-back monster games on the ground. And you can attribute that to the use of Austin more; even sending him in motion has kept defenses on their heels, leaving gaping holes for Gurley to run through. When Austin is not being utilized, Gurley has gotten stuffed like a Build a Bear at the line of scrimmage.
And the blocking up front has been very skittish or just flat-out bad. Greg Robinson got blown up, and a field goal attempt was partially blocked. Left guard Jamon Brown looked like a turnstile at the South entrance of the St. Louis Zoo with Packers’ linebackers running past him unabated.
And what’s a Rams game without Roger Saffold en route to the locker room? Man. It’s like he has a speed pass or something going to the team trainer.
Right tackle Rob Havenstein played as if he was wearing cement cleats. Center Tim Barnes just let Packers linebacker Clay Matthews walk past him, and he nailed QB Nick Foles. Foles went from scanning the defense waiting to have the ball snapped, to looking up at the sky at cloud formations waiting for one of his lineman to help him off his back.
Foles was absolutely horrendous. Some of that was the fault of the line and guys dropping the ball, which is just sad. But, my goodness, when he did have time he threw the football like his eyes was closed. He underthrew a bomb to Tavon Austin who had a step on his defender, causing Austin to slow down.
But the icing on the cake: The Rams were trailing by two scores, it was 4th and 7 and coach Fisher elected to have his erratic place kicker Greg Zuerlein attempt a kick of 63 yards. What was that about? He couldn’t make a kick of 53 yards, he had another kicked blocked, and you actually thought he was going to make a 63-yard kick?
I think I’ve seen it all. At least they won’t lose this week.
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