Rams can't waste any more time achieving a sustainable offense

The Los Angeles Rams may be enjoying a two-game winning streak, but they have benefited from playing three teams with a combined 7-16 record. LA is a mere 2-1 in that span after falling to the Cardinals in Week 6. So losing to the 2-4-1 Washington Commanders this week is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Complicating the matter is the fact that injuries are depleting the team. The Rams have played most of the season without up-and-coming tight end Terrance Ferguson. Now Davante Adams is on injured reserve. And much to fans' horror, even durable Matthew Stafford is suffering from arm soreness.

LA is facing a midseason crisis. Yes, the offense can gain yards and remains one of the NFL's best. But it lags at 10th place in scoring. The Rams haven't converted moving the football into points on the scoreboard.

The strategy that has carried the offense to Week 9 won't work going forward. The strain on the few entrusted playmakers is taking its toll.

Rams offense must find equilibrium soon

Fans know the script by heart. The offense sputters early and digs a hole for itself when Stafford throws an interception. Then, after falling behind, the Rams roar back to retake the lead and ultimately win the game. But the holes have been dug a bit deeper this season. And the team can't ignore a potent running attack any longer. In that department, they finally seem to be turning the corner.

At some point, the nearly 39-year-old Stafford will retire. LA's offense has to know it can move the chains and score points when that happens. Now is the time to prove itself capable of doing so.

The Rams have elite running backs, an outstanding receiver in Puka Nacua, and very good tight ends. But defensive coordinators quickly learn to expect Stafford to target Nacua. The offense becomes stuck in that loop as soon as LA falls behind.

What will it be? With a sore-armed Stafford, the logical option is to run the ball more often. That requires a commitment to the run that, until recently, the Rams hadn't shown. Everyone knows what this offense needs to do, but having the resolve to do it is another matter altogether.

As always, thanks for reading.

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