Refs start the avalanche, but Rams really have nobody to blame but themselves

If the NFL officials keep this up, you may as well bet the farm on whoever opposes the LA Rams to win a bundle. But this is a game that is more akin to a Three Stooges movie than an NFL football game. The LA Rams started this game hot, getting plenty of pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

It certainly appeared as though the LA Rams had weathered the first offensive possession. With third down and 11 yards to go, the Rams appeared to get their second sack of the game, this one from OLB Byron Young, to set the Cowboys up for a fourth down and 15 yards to go from their 20-yard line.

But the referees had another idea in mind. They threw a flag on a meaningless contact from LA Rams safety, giving the Cowboys a fresh set of downs.

Whatever could go wrong, did go wrong for the LA Rams in the first half. The Rams had a blocked punt that ended up as a safety. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw an ugly pick-6 for a Cowboys touchdown. By the time that the smoke cleared, the Rams needed a late touchdown just to make this game fall short of a complete rout.

Stafford getting lots of wear and tear in this one

As the first half ended, the Rams did tack on a touchdown to bring the score to 33-9. Even with a late touchdown, the Rams are way over their heads in the game. Matthew Stafford was examined for a possible concussion (he passed the exam), and injured the thumb on his throwing hand twice, the second time cause Stafford to grimace and grab his thumb after a failed two-point attempt.

The LA Rams can run the football in this game, and should.

Win or lose, the LA Rams can at least finish out this game on a positive note. And they cannot afford to allow the Cowboys' pass rush to keep beating the snot out of Matthew Stafford.

As the Rams open the fourth quarter, the Rams have taken Matthew Stafford out of the game, and he has been replaced by backup quarterback Brett Rypien. You have to wonder how the Rams would close out this game if Stetson Bennett was still on the active roster. Meanwhile the Rams trail in a game with time and opportunity running out.