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The Los Angeles Rams dropped their final preseason contest 27-25 against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, September 1. Turnovers were the recurring theme in this contest, with the Rams committing three critical turnovers: two by QB Jared Goff and another one from the special teams. In addition, the special teams gave up another kickoff for a touchdown. While the Rams’ passing attack (especially in the first half) and the special teams’ play was atrocious, the rushing attack and defense were both solid. Here are some thoughts after tonight’s final preseason game:
Jared Goff looks like the No. 3 QB on the depth chart?
Let’s not kid ourselves, Jared Goff has been atrocious this preseason. He looked very much a rookie not deserving of the No. 1 pick. He struggled once again, completing 6 of 16 passes for 67 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His performance went downhill after an opening drive 1-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt, with the the Rams offense stalling on every ensuing drive after that.
Two examples of Goff’s struggles include him fumbling the ball from the shotgun position and having a pass tipped for an interception late in the second quarter. While at times, Goff has shown flashes of brilliance this preseason, the speed and size of NFL defenses have been overwhelming so far for him, and the matchup with the Vikings was clearly no exception.
Meanwhile, Sean Mannion looked much more deserving of the No. quarterback on the Rams’ depth chart. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown while nearly leading a Rams’ fourth quarter comeback after the team trailed 27-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Special teams were a mess against the Vikings
The Rams’ special teams gave an embarrassing performance, giving up a kickoff return for a touchdown again and muffing a punt that led to another touchdown for the Vikings. Immediately after cutting the Vikings’ lead down to 13-10, Minnesota’s Jhurell Pressley, aided by a bevy of poor tackling, returned the ensuing kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown.
Early on in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Paul McRoberts fumbled away a punt where he should have called for fair catch. Three plays later, C.J. Ham ran home another Vikings touchdown, giving Minnesota a 27-10 fourth quarter lead. Rams’ special teams gave up two touchdowns, and that will not cut it when the regular season begins on September 12 against the 49ers.
Rams defense and running game were both solid again
While looking shaky at times during their first two preseason games, the Rams defense once again looked solid for the second straight game. Morgan Fox led the way defensively for the Rams, recording three tackles, two sacks, two tackles for a loss and four quarterback hits. The Rams allowed only 182 total yards tonight, including 96 on the ground and 86 on the ground. Who knows what the final score would have been had the Rams on offense and Special Teams been more careful with the football?
The running game was also a bright spot offensively tonight. Aaron Green rushed for 66 of the Rams’ 115 yards and a nice 26-yard touchdown run with 7:00 left in the ballgame.
I understand that these are essentially dress rehearsals. Unfortunately, the Rams are showing signs of exhibiting the same problems they had last season: a good running game and solid defense, but also an anemic passing attack and sub-par special teams. How will special teams coordinator John Fassel address the team’s issues on kickoff coverage? These last four games do not count in the standings, but the next game on September 12 does. Head coach Jeff Fisher and his staff have 11 days to address these problems before the Rams take the field against the 49ers.
Sources: ESPN
Martin Cruz is a staff writer for Rams Talk. You can follow him on Twitter with the username @MCruz1988
Aaron Green, Case Keenum, featured, Greg Zuerlein, Jared Goff, Jeff Fisher, Jhurell Pressley, John Fassel, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Morgan Fox, Paul McRoberts, Sean Mannion, Todd Gurley
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The Los Angeles Rams dropped their final preseason contest 27-25 against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, September 1. Turnovers were the recurring theme in this contest, with the Rams committing three critical turnovers: two by QB Jared Goff and another one from the special teams. In addition, the special teams gave up another kickoff for a touchdown. While the Rams’ passing attack (especially in the first half) and the special teams’ play was atrocious, the rushing attack and defense were both solid. Here are some thoughts after tonight’s final preseason game:
Jared Goff looks like the No. 3 QB on the depth chart?
Let’s not kid ourselves, Jared Goff has been atrocious this preseason. He looked very much a rookie not deserving of the No. 1 pick. He struggled once again, completing 6 of 16 passes for 67 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His performance went downhill after an opening drive 1-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt, with the the Rams offense stalling on every ensuing drive after that.
Two examples of Goff’s struggles include him fumbling the ball from the shotgun position and having a pass tipped for an interception late in the second quarter. While at times, Goff has shown flashes of brilliance this preseason, the speed and size of NFL defenses have been overwhelming so far for him, and the matchup with the Vikings was clearly no exception.
Meanwhile, Sean Mannion looked much more deserving of the No. quarterback on the Rams’ depth chart. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown while nearly leading a Rams’ fourth quarter comeback after the team trailed 27-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Special teams were a mess against the Vikings
The Rams’ special teams gave an embarrassing performance, giving up a kickoff return for a touchdown again and muffing a punt that led to another touchdown for the Vikings. Immediately after cutting the Vikings’ lead down to 13-10, Minnesota’s Jhurell Pressley, aided by a bevy of poor tackling, returned the ensuing kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown.
Early on in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Paul McRoberts fumbled away a punt where he should have called for fair catch. Three plays later, C.J. Ham ran home another Vikings touchdown, giving Minnesota a 27-10 fourth quarter lead. Rams’ special teams gave up two touchdowns, and that will not cut it when the regular season begins on September 12 against the 49ers.
Rams defense and running game were both solid again
While looking shaky at times during their first two preseason games, the Rams defense once again looked solid for the second straight game. Morgan Fox led the way defensively for the Rams, recording three tackles, two sacks, two tackles for a loss and four quarterback hits. The Rams allowed only 182 total yards tonight, including 96 on the ground and 86 on the ground. Who knows what the final score would have been had the Rams on offense and Special Teams been more careful with the football?
The running game was also a bright spot offensively tonight. Aaron Green rushed for 66 of the Rams’ 115 yards and a nice 26-yard touchdown run with 7:00 left in the ballgame.
I understand that these are essentially dress rehearsals. Unfortunately, the Rams are showing signs of exhibiting the same problems they had last season: a good running game and solid defense, but also an anemic passing attack and sub-par special teams. How will special teams coordinator John Fassel address the team’s issues on kickoff coverage? These last four games do not count in the standings, but the next game on September 12 does. Head coach Jeff Fisher and his staff have 11 days to address these problems before the Rams take the field against the 49ers.
Sources: ESPN
Martin Cruz is a staff writer for Rams Talk. You can follow him on Twitter with the username @MCruz1988
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