A lot went right for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. They took a commanding 16-0 lead over the Denver Broncos and by the end of the game outgained Denver 482 yards to 257.
But the scoreboard doesn’t lie. It’s the only stat that matters when the clock reaches zero.
The Rams fell to the Broncos 26-30. The team leaves Denver 1-2 on the season. Things are as bad as they seem.
We can look for silver linings and understand that Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett are coming back at some point. Sunday night’s loss was still symbolic of the early season struggles so far. The Rams may not be who we expected them to be, and there continue to be signs to suggest that.
For example, corner Jaylen Watson and tight end Terrance Ferguson joined Nacua and Garrett on the injury list. Their respective sides of the ball looked drastically different without them in the lineup.
In the second half we saw the Melbourne Rams. The defense couldn’t get off the field. Matthew Stafford and the offense had very little working until a little-too-late comeback attempt.
Which individual efforts are responsible for the heartbreaking loss?
Winners
Kyren Williams, RB
With six receptions for 70 yards, this was one of Kyren Williams’ most productive receiving outings in his career. He was an important contributor on the last-minute comeback attempt. Pass catching is a positive element Williams has added to his repertoire and it has been on display in recent weeks.
While there were talks of Blake Corum possibly passing Williams on the depth chart last week, Williams made his understudy obsolete on Sunday night. Williams rushed 15 times for 88 yards (5.9 average).
He was the one consistent part of the offense against the Broncos.
Davante Adams, WR
I had written off the idea that Davante Adams would contribute in a meaningful way in Denver. He was matched up against the best corner in the NFL, Patrick Surtain, and still found a way to get open.
Adams hauled in seven of 13 targets for 137 yards. Most of his damage was done against Surtain.
How can you not feel encouraged about Adams moving forward? He still has it.
Kobie Turner, DT
Without Garrett, the Rams need someone to take a leadership role on the defense and make a play in the game’s biggest moments. Against the Broncos, that person was Kobie Turner.
Turner hit Bo Nix’s arm to force an interception caught by Josh Wallace. This came in the second half when Denver was roaring back and the Rams had little going offensively. The takeaway helped LA regain the lead, although it was a matter of time before it was surrendered.
Tyler Higbee, TE
Colby Parkinson was questionable for the game. He suited up but didn’t participate as a focal point. Terrance Ferguson, who we will get to, left with an injury in the first quarter.
The Rams are fortunate they can turn to a backup as capable as Tyler Higbee, especially when he’s considered third or fourth string at this point. The veteran caught eight of 11 targets for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Harrison Mevis, K
Mevis made all four of his field goals from 36, 35, 40, and 48 plus two extra points. It’s not his fault that he was so busy, but it’s not a positive that LA settled for four kicks. At least when the team settled for three, Mevis was effectively automatic.
Losers
Matthew Stafford, QB
Stafford completed 30 of 55 passes (55%) for 390 yards, two scores, and two interceptions. The first half was volume. The second half was Talanoa Hufanga.
And while the numbers were stellar in the first half, Stafford wasn’t exactly perfect. The Rams offense settled for field goals instead of taking care of business in the opposition’s territory. Stafford threw an interceptable pass just before halftime that could have dramatically shifted momentum.
And yes, the comeback attempt was impressive. Stafford and the Rams were up against a high degree of difficulty. Still, you don’t get credit for setting the house on fire and putting it out. Stafford came alive too late into the fourth quarter. He needed to play at that level earlier.
Simply put, Stafford has taken a significant step back from his play last year. He hasn’t been good enough through three games. Part of that is a reduced cast of pass catchers. But you don’t pay your quarterback top dollar only to make excuses for him.
Stafford must be better. And soon.
Terrance Ferguson, TE
Following an encouraging but far from perfect breakout performance on Monday Night Football last week, Sunday night’s game in Denver was setup perfectly for a “star is born” opportunity.
It wasn’t entirely Ferguson’s fault for that not to come to fruition. He has recently battled an ankle injury that he re-aggravated in the first quarter and then did not return.
It’s mostly frustrating that Ferguson should have been a major part of the Rams offense without Nacua. It was the perfect opening for him to step up. While Higbee was productive in relief, I can only assume the offense would have been better off if all of Higbee’s 11 targets instead went to the more athletic and potent pass catcher in Ferguson.
We are still awaiting Ferguson’s coming out party.
Emmanuel Forbes & Josh Wallace, CB
The Rams spent all offseason adding talent on the defensive side of the ball. The Broncos won the game largely because they were able to take advantage of Emmanuel Forbes and Josh Wallace.
Why were they on the field? Well, part of it is because someone must play outside if Trent McDuffie shifts to the slot. The primary reason was that Jaylen Watson suffered a shoulder injury.
And most Rams fans didn’t feel that positive about Watson’s start to his career in LA. We should appreciate him more after seeing the alternatives in his place. Forbes and Wallace were major steps down in performance.
Blake Corum, RB
LA didn’t really need Corum in this game. Wuilliams handled the running back duties well.
But usually Corum is good for an injection of energy into the offense. They desperately needed that in the second half. It never came. Corum finished with just 15 yards on six carries (2.5 average) and he managed zero yards on two catches.
The running game works best when both Williams and Corum are contributing consistently.
