Can the Rams rely on Jared Goff in a tight game?

Los Angeles Rams second year quarterback Jared Goff has had a remarkable turnaround in 2017. But he hasn’t shown the ability to get LA into the end zone late to win a game. He’ll need to, especially if they hope to have postseason success.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff has been light years better than he was in 2016. Yes, he’s had seven games more of a sample this season versus last, and his growth at the position is not to be denied.

But in four losses in 2017, he looked remarkably pedestrian at times, especially when unaware of the pass rush around him. Also, as big of an acquisition as wide receiver Sammy Watkins was, he’s been underused, and it may not be a game plan oversight.

Goff has had poor touch on the long ball.
Plain and simple.

Now easy Goff fans, this isn’t about criticism for the sake of criticism, but in three losses where the Rams needed a score late to win or even tie, he came up short.

Week 2, a 20-27 loss at home against the Washington Redskins.

Week 5, a 16-10 loss at home against the Seattle Seahawks.

Week 11, where he was a non-factor at the Minnesota Vikings.

A Week 15 loss 43-35 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

As for yesterday in Seattle, he had a good game in the context of his interception was a non factor, and in a near replay of the type of strip fumble he had against the Eagles last week, it was recovered by the Rams and was also a non-factor in the game.

The game against the Seahawks was decided by halftime, but in the three losses against Washington, Seattle, and Philadelphia, he wasn’t able to drive the Rams down the field late in the fourth with the game in the balance. Against Minnesota, he wasn’t able to get the offense into the end zone despite throwing for 225 yards.

As for the big home run threat that was to be Watkins? It just hasn’t materialized, and while the Rams have utilized a bevy of other weapons like Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, and of course the late MVP push being made by Todd Gurley, Watkins has become nearly an afterthought.

That’s not all on Goff, but he’s missed him when he was targeted too often to see him a legitimate threat.

Bottom line, if the Rams need a big drive for a touchdown late, especially if a defense finds a way to bottle up Gurley, can he do it?

Can he make the big throw for a touchdown?

Goff has had a big bounce-back kind of season and has absolutely avoided the dreaded “sophomore slump.”

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But at some point, he’ll need to make that big throw for six points that Brady, or Rodgers can make and have, and that even Carson Wentz has made in his second season.

Goff has managed it pretty well in 2017, and of late has gotten the Rams into position for field goals, but the day is coming when they will need more than three points.

Maybe then the Los Angeles Rams will know how far he’s really come.