Rams Game Night Recap: Goff, offense lacking in loss to Chargers

If Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay was looking for some consistency to build on after the win last week in Oakland, he didn’t get it as his team loses to the Chargers 21-19, in the Coliseum.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay was hoping to see some consistency from his offense tonight, most notably quarterback Jared Goff.

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He would not see it.

The Rams second year quarterback started well, but the wheels would quickly come off after tossing a pick, and having the ball stripped that went for six points the other way. Both turnovers resulted in touchdowns for the Los Angeles Chargers, as they’d quickly build a 7, 14, then 21 point lead. Goff would give way to backup Sean Mannion midway through the second quarter.

His numbers weren’t ugly, going 5 of 8 for 56 yards, 1 pick and one fumble. Those won’t inspire, and will have critics and fans alike wondering if what they saw tonight is the blip or the trend.

Same as last week: blip or trend.

The Rams were behind the 8 ball early, but managed to run of 19 unanswered point, mostly on the reliability of Greg Zuerlein kicking with Johnny Hekker holding. Tonight’s first half performance is sure to beg more questions than answers.

If you’re mounting a defense for Goff, point to key allies from last week relegated to the sidelines, particularly rookie Cooper Kupp, Nelson Spruce, Mike Thomas and Tavon Austin, who has yet to see any action in 2017. Running back Todd Gurley was also out.

One player who absolutely stood out was running back Malcolm Brown. Brown had nine rushes for 44 yards that made you forget Gurley was not on the field.

Like last week and the week before, Mannion saw the bulk of offensive snaps. His line went 16/29 for 214 yards and one touchdown to Josh Reynolds in the third quarter. Third stringer Dan Orlovsky too three snaps late in the fourth with the game already decided.

The Rams leave you wondering who the real team may ultimately be when things get very real on September 10. Typcially, the third preseason game can be a pretty solid indicator of a lot of things. You just didn’t get that impression tonight. Goff started well, but it quickly dissolved. It isn’t fair to say it’s just “Goff being Goff,” but fans had to be hoping for the flashes they saw for nearly a half of football last week in Oakland.

Bottom line, that didn’t happen tonight against the Chargers.

Next: Fans need to tap the breaks on McVay, Goff

While it is highly unlikely we see any of the first unit Thursday night in Green Bay, questions will linger, and fairly, whether or not we’ve seen the Goff that showed a turning of the corner.

Either way, the debate will continue.