LA Rams discovering that weakest link dictates outcome

The LA Rams’ strategy of corraling multiple NFL stars has some success. But the team is discovering that the weakest link dictates some game outcomes

The LA Rams, like a chain, are only as strong as their weakest link. In many games, the game plan can mask, or even hide, the fact that the team is playing with an unbalanced roster. Yes, there are superstars of the game. And yes, the Rams have succeeded in finding diamonds-in-the-rough who flourish on this team.

But occasionally, whether by injury or a new opponent’s game plan, the team is exposed to be far less than what so many believed them to be. And it’s not against the best of the NFL, but oftentimes the worst. So far this season, the LA Rams have lost five games. Two losses, to the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins, were to successful teams. Three losses, twice to the San Francisco 49ers and once to the New York Jets, were not. Beyond a pattern of two wins and one loss, what other patterns have developed in the games?

What is the problem?

That’s what the LA Rams entire organization needs to discover. Yes, there were some bright spots in the Rams game yesterday. Some of the receivers made some circus catches. But the same group of receivers dropped some easy catches too. Running back Cam Akers still appears to be ‘the guy’ to lead the Rams ground game. But in a season where DL Aaron Donald cannot draw a penalty for offensive line holding,

Akers had three different first-down runs called back due to penalties. One was for the game-tying touchdown that would have put the Rams ahead with an extra kick. Yes, the Rams had some flashes. But like shiny coins buried in the mud, they are hard to find in the muck. Yesterday’s game was sloppy. It appeared as though the entire team was unprepared. But most of all, it seemed as though the team didn’t care. That is something that the Rams must never do. And yet, they have. Four times this season. So what other common factors can we uncover?