LA Rams statement to NFL ‘How do you like me now?’

LA Rams statement in Thursday Night Football game to the NFL: ‘How do you like me now?’ Plenty to love about the team and rookie RB Cam Akers.

The LA Rams have paid the price for losing in an embarassing fashion to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 53 by a score of 13-3. Rams head coach Sean McVay was considered a 1-and-done coach. QB Jared Goff, after putting up phenomenal statistics all season, had a game where nothing worked. On Thursday Night Football, the Rams were back. Not for vengeance. Not to take a pound of flesh from the team that embarassed them.  This one was about making a statement.

How do you like them now?

The LA Rams, the offensive pinnacle of finesse, just got down in the mud and outslugged the New England Patriots, but a score even more lopsided than that which they lost to before. There was nothing cute about this win. Nor was it ever intended to be. This one was going to be won or lost on will power, brute strength. The Rams never turned to the empty backfield formations. This was a ground and pound game from the opening kickoff. And the Rams won this one, by a score of 24-3

How do you like them now?

Game balls

Akers, Gay, Kupp, Hollins, Hekker all had a hand in the outcome, as we predicted.  But the Rams also had a standout performance by Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Kenny Young, and more.

The game ball for this one goes to rookie running back Cam Akers, who contributed to nearly two-thirds of the LA Rams offense. He rushed 29 times for 171 yards, and caught two of three passes for another 23 yards.

Huge games often become the catalyst for a stellar NFL career. Thursday Night Football was Cam Aker’s coming-out-party. He faced a determined Patriots defense that knew that the Rams would love nothing better than to run the ball right down their throats, and the Rams ran the ball right down their throats.

Rams know how to block

But let’s not leave out the unsung heroes of this one. The Rams offensive line did a great job at run blocking. Not just five offensive linemen, but tight ends and wide receivers as well. The Rams rushed for 186 offensive yards. That’s the most rushing yards in a game since rushing for 269 yards in a 2018 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

The Rams are getting hot at the right time of the year. Now they are 4-1 since the bye week, and have just three games remaining in the season.  The win improves the LA Rams season record to 9-4.  The Rams next face the winless New York Jets at hom. The Patriots fall to 6-7 and now must travel to face the Miami Dolphins.

How do we like these LA Rams now? Well, speaking for myself, I like this win more than any other. This was a team win. The defense, offense, and for the most part, special teams, played a complete game.