As Kobie Turner answered questions at his locker after yet one more loss, the Los Angeles Rams defensive sort out was requested how the workforce avoids worrying about its 1-3 report.
“I feel I am fortunate and blessed that going via what we did undergo final 12 months to the purpose the place, I do not understand how far we have been down, however it by no means mattered,” Turner stated.
“… So every week we’ll come out and put ourselves in the very best place to go and decide up wins. And I feel as soon as it begins rolling, it will begin rolling.”
In 2023, the Rams have been 3-6 on the bye week earlier than profitable seven of eight video games to finish the season and make the playoffs. However despite the fact that the Rams have that have from a 12 months in the past, this 2024 workforce could also be working out of time to show the season round. The Rams’ subsequent alternative to seek out out is once they host the 2-2 Inexperienced Bay Packers, who’ve quarterback Jordan Love again from harm, in Week 5 (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS).
Because the NFL went to a 17-game schedule in 2021, there have been 25 groups to begin 1-3. Solely three of these groups — the 2021 Steelers, 2021 Patriots and 2021 Eagles — made the playoffs, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.
Whereas some within the locker room have that have, head coach Sean McVay cautioned that each workforce is totally different and “yearly is a brand new 12 months.”
“You have to go earn it,” McVay stated. “That workforce did an incredible job of having the ability to keep within the combat [and] play their greatest ball after the bye. That led to some continuity. I believed we have been in a position to construct as that season went on and I believed we performed high quality soccer even when we weren’t at all times getting the outcomes. That is the factor that I wish to see. I wish to see us play high quality soccer on each side.
“…However this 12 months’s workforce has to determine the right way to discover that in them to have the ability to do these issues that that workforce did. The blokes that have been part of it, I feel can draw some confidence from it after which carry the opposite guys that perhaps weren’t part of it with them to see if we give ourselves an opportunity.”
It was quarterback Matthew Stafford whose run on the finish the 2023 season was a giant a part of why the Rams made the playoffs. From Weeks 11-28 (post-bye week), Stafford ranked third in passing yards per sport (270.7) and was tied for third with 16 passing touchdowns.
In 4 video games this season, Stafford has thrown for 978 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He has a QBR of 54.9. However he is accomplished it with out his prime two receivers for many of the season and a rotating offensive line because of harm.
The Rams’ offense is with out large receivers Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) and beginning offensive linemen Steve Avila (knee) and Jonah Jackson (shoulder). Kupp won’t play in opposition to the Packers, and whereas Nacua is eligible to return from injured reserve after the Rams’ Week 6 bye, the expectation is he’ll miss extra time as he recovers from a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sprain.
The Rams’ protection — a younger group with out Aaron Donald after he retired in March and led by new defensive coordinator Chris Shula after Raheem Morris was employed by the Atlanta Falcons — ranks thirty first in defensive DVOA.
“I feel a giant a part of how we needed to play defensively was predicated on what we thought our offense could be,” McVay stated Monday. “These have impacts on the best way that you simply attempt to construct your workforce and issues of that nature, however the actuality is that is the circumstance and the scenario that we’re in.”
After the Rams’ 24-18 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, McVay lamented the alternatives the offense left on the sphere, particularly within the crimson zone.
“I do not assume we have executed very nicely,” McVay stated.
“[We] did a extremely poor job of ending drives,” McVay stated. “… I believed our protection performed glorious from the bounce, however for us to solely have six factors after the best way the blokes have been in a position to transfer the soccer, we’ve got to do a greater job as soon as we get into hanging distance of ending drives with touchdowns.”
The crimson zone has been a wrestle for the Rams this season, particularly via the air, in keeping with ESPN Analysis. By 4 video games, the Rams rank thirtieth in completion share within the crimson zone (36.4%) and thirty first in yards per dropback (1.56) and QBR (4.8). Los Angeles can also be tied for the second-most sacks (3).
Total, the Rams rank twenty eighth in crimson zone effectivity at 41%. They have been at 62% (tenth within the NFL) via 4 video games a 12 months in the past.
The Rams have discovered some success on the bottom within the crimson zone, leaning on working again Kyren Williams. Based on ESPN Analysis, L.A’.s eight speeding first downs and touchdowns on performs originating within the crimson zone are tied for the seventh most within the league.
“There have been some good issues, however there was some actually uncharacteristic errors that we made as a workforce with reference to only some psychological errors the place we left folks free,” McVay stated. “And you may’t try this if you will be offense and persistently execute.”
However as McVay mentioned the Rams’ third loss in 4 video games, he once more hit on the workforce taking it week by week and “not going to do is journey the emotional curler coaster that this season will take you on.”
“Upset for our group, however enthusiastic about testing our resolve like this season has already accomplished in a handful of situations,” McVay stated.