Rams coordinators costing themselves head coaching looks in dreadful MNF 1st half

One of the benefits of being a top assistant on the Los Angeles Rams is that the team is usually successful enough to ensure that you will get some head coaching looks in the offseason. Look no further than Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, whom the Rams are facing in Week 17.

Against a backup quarterback in Kirk Cousins and an eliminated team with nothing to play for, this could have been the time for offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Chris Shula to really show the league the extent of their creativity. Instead, they flopped.

LaFleur and head coach Sean McVay teamed up to score a whopping zero points in LA's first four drives, all while Stafford handed the Falcons a free touchdown with a pick-six that was uncharacteristic of an MVP-level player. He was intercepted twice in the first half.

Shula gave up two offensive touchdowns. Atlanta has moved the ball with ease and has ended up in Rams territory multiple times despite an immobile quarterback and a fairly average offensive line. Bijan Robinson popped off a 93-yard touchdown run that put the game out of reach.

LA went down 21-0 in the first half, which is a simply stunning result. Both Shula and LaFleur have punted any head coach momentum they accrued right into the nosebleeds with this very brutal performance.

Rams coordinators may have blown head coaching chances after nightmare Week 17

LaFleur was always going to be the less likely hire to get poached due to the fact that he doesn't call offensive plays. However, with the game plan looking completely inadequate for an opponent with a very sharp pass rush in Atlanta, some teams may be less likely to increase his responsibilities away from the safe bosom of McVay.

Shula is already going to be a tough sell due to his defensive specialty and the fact that LA doesn't rank at the top of any of the major categories. Shula, a younger coach, might be better off waiting for one more year before he sinks his teeth into a main job.

The Rams, as a whole, seem to have taken their foot off the gas. After it became clear that a division title and shot at the No. 1 seed became unlikely due to the success of the Seattle Seahawks, McVay and the team seem to have floated into the Atlanta game just hoping that they can avoid any major injuries as they prepare for the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.