Rams v Cowboys: What I Liked, What I Didn’t Like

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Rams blew a 21-0 to suffer a heartbreakingly frustrating loss to the Dallas Cowboys by 34-31. The highs of the first quarter and a half quickly gave way to familiar lows as the team’s best performance so far ended in the second loss of the season. As the Rams head to their bye week, they must now focus on the positives while eliminating those disastrous negatives.

What I Liked…

The offense

An offense that had scored only one touchdown to date somehow managed to produce thirty-one points, fourteen of those in the first quarter. This was an offensive performance that has not been seen in St Louis for a long while, with the team moving the ball effectively both on the ground and through the air, totaling almost 450 yards of offense. The third-down conversion percentage was also good, particularly early in the game, and the Rams seemed totally in control. Most offensive players played their best game of the season, and the strategy, which had looked strong in the first two games but tended to lead to drives petering out, seemed to finally click. Unfortunately, though, some of the major mistakes that led to the game’s turnaround – Scott Wells’ botched snap, the failed fourth-down attempt, Jared Cook’s drop, Austin Davis’ interceptions – were on the offense, but the truth is that Rams were very close to winning the game, mainly because of the performance on this side of the ball.

Austin Davis

The Rams did not lose because of Davis, but, if they had won, he would have made a significant contribution to this. Making only his second career start, Davis led the Rams offense to four scoring drives, including three touchdown passes. Davis passed for close to 330 yards and threw the ball to eight different receivers. Impressively, Davis also led the team on an eighty-yard must-score drive, but, on the next possession, came up short of at least tying the game when the defense gave the team one final chance. His performances over the last two weeks have strengthened his case for taking over as the team’s starter. While there is sense in bringing veteran Shaun Hill back into the starting fold, perhaps the Rams should give Davis an opportunity to show what he is capable of doing after developing further. With all this talk about the team needing a quarterback for the future, he could very much already be on the roster.

Janoris Jenkins

In Jenkins’ rookie year, the youngster looked like emerging as one of the most exciting cornerbacks in the League. Last season, though, and with a new defensive scheme, Jenkins clearly took many steps back. It seems, however, that he might now be back with dominating performances over these last three games. Against Dallas, Jenkins snared an interception and returned it for a touchdown. He seemed to contain Dez Bryant well – the breakdown in coverage that led to the Cowboys receiver’s touchdown was not his fault – and he is showing maturity in his coverage. He is on course for career highs in tackles and is a leading part of a secondary that has fared surprisingly well so far this season.

What I Didn’t Like

The Defense

On paper, the Rams seemed to have a Top Five defense, but this is not translating on the field. Despite a strong start that included two takeaways, this much-vaunted defense conceded 34 points in under 35 minutes of game time. Worryingly, the ease with which DeMarco Murray carved his way through the defense in Dallas’ first scoring drive seemed to indicate a sloppy execution that continued throughout the game. Later on, in the crucial final phases of the game, the defense gave up first downs on a number of 3^rd-and-longs, shifting the momentum squarely in favor of the Cowboys. Incredibly, Tony Romo was not sacked once, making a mockery of the Sack City proclamations. This pass rush needs to kick into gear soon as there are limits to how long the secondary can contain opposing receivers (even without phantom calls!). Yes, there were some good individual performances – Alec Ogletree, James Laurinaitis, Jenkins – but the unit as a whole needs to do better. Much better.

That Fourth-Down Call

Hindsight is a fine thing, but I felt the decision to ‘go for it’ on fourth down early in the third quarter was a mistake even before the ball was snapped. Earlier in the game, with a three-score lead, the Rams could afford to take risks. But, with momentum shifting and St Louis up by four, Jeff Fisher should have sent the field goal unit and taken the three points. While the game was already slipping from them early on, this was a decisive moment that pushed the team further into their slump. Of course, those three points would have made a huge difference, but, more importantly, it would have given the offense encouragement and taken pressure off an already-beleaguered defense. This was a bad call, one which, quite possibly, cost the Rams the game.

The Rookie class

Rams Nation was awash with excitement in April when the 2014 draft picks were announced. The front office seemed to have struck gold with a list of stud players who could go on to make a massive impact on the roster. Admittedly, three games is far too early to evaluate a draft class, but I find myself rather disappointment at how most of these rookies have failed to make themselves noticeable so far. Aaron Donald has made some big plays and clearly leads the pack, while E. J. Gaines (the only starter of the crop) has been efficient, though quiet, at the cornerback position. Lamarcus Joyner has done little, and Greg Robinson seems to be a long-term development project that is barely seeing the field – not good for a number two pick. Undrafted rookie Trey Watts had a good game, but, so far, the last instalment of the RG3 bounty has failed to make the impact that this team so desperately needs.

Some other thoughts and observations

This three-headed rushing monster has potential (sorry, Tre Mason)…Austin Davis showed leadership in quickly getting Jared Cook re-involved in the game after their sideline fracas…is Chris Givens the next receiver out?…Brian Quick’s re-birth continues…what a chop by Alec Ogletree to knock the ball loose…was this loss more deflating than that to Minnesota?