LA Rams News: Take two steps forward and one step backwards

Rams want what they have

Perhaps it a bit of envy. After all, the 49ers can be nearly flatlined in terms of playoff hopes, but wow do they ever get up to face the LA Rams.  In some ways, it’s hard to watch the horde of red arrive, play well over their heads, and walk away with another victory. Yes, it’s just that one game at the weekend. Yes, it’s just two contests of the season. But the Rams fans feel betrayed when their emotional peak is met with a tepid attempt by the team.

WR Deebo Samuel has played five games this year. Two of them were against an LA Rams team this season. In those two games, he’s caught 17 of 19 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. For the other three games? He’s just 10 of 16 passes for 119 yards and 0 touchdowns. Who do the Rams have who can answer back? WR Josh Reynolds is 7 of 11 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. WR Robert Woods is 11 of 22 for 109 yards and a touchdown. WR Cooper Kupp is 5 of 14 for 52 yards. For the Rams’ best receivers, it’s as though they are okay to lose.

Is Goff the problem?

Of course, Ramblin Fan writer Tareq Rafiq is quick to point the finger at Rams quarterback Jared Goff. But is he correct? Yes, we know what we saw yesterday. Goff choked. But what is the history of Goff’s career against the 49ers these past two seasons? In two games this season, he is 38 of 69 for 396 yards two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He’s also been sacked twice and fumbled once this season.

In 2019, Goff passed 40 out of 70 times for 401 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, and was sacked four times. In 2019, Goff completed just 57.1 percent of his passes. In 2020, he completed just 55 percent of those passes. But it comes down to the chicken versus the egg argument now. Are the Rams failing to get open? Or are the Rams failing to get the ball to the open receiver? The right answer seems to be yes.  Yes to both. The emotionless Rams just show up each week.