Rams' week-worst offensive output is bitterest kind of irony

Week 1 wrapped up with the Kenneth Walker III and the Chiefs stomping the Broncos on Monday Night Football and a bitter pill to swallow for Los Angeles Rams fans. 

In a 27-7 loss, last season's top-scoring offense, poised to be even better this year, produced the fewest points among all 32 teams. Oof. What is there to say? 

Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP, was awful. The tight ends, that four-headed monster, were unproductive. Davante Adams rarely got open, and when he did on a right-side comeback route, Stafford sailed the throw. So much for all the talk about the early-season chemistry we'd see.

The defense, which was at least as big a letdown, did its part in holding back the offense by failing to get off the field. Ultimately, though, a porous secondary didn't hinder Stafford and the Rams a season ago. It was as puzzling and ironic a performance as even pessimists could have imagined after an offseason trumpeting the Horns as an inevitable juggernaut.

Rams offense got nothing going against 49ers

Head coach Sean McVay seemingly neglected the one functioning part of the operation, the run game, despite solid production on the ground the utter luck of a passing attack. Part of the reason, of course, was that his team trailed by two scores for most of the second half, a negative game script forcing a pass-heavy approach. 

Behind a quietly strong showing from the offensive line, running backs Blake Corum and Kyren Williams churned out nearly 100 yards on 4.5 yards per carry. Williams punched in the Rams' only score, providing an early lead before the game slipped away. 

Other than that, 2025's No. 1 unit in both points and yardage mustered nothing to speak of. Stafford and Company managed two drives over fifty yards, one of which ended in a turnover on downs. Otherwise, LA's best possession under Stafford, before backup Stetson Bennett entered late in the game, was a 34-yard fizzler sabotaged by an uncharacteristically ill-placed interception. 

The Rams' week-worst offensive showing was marked by putrid third downs, of which they converted two in nine attempts, plus one-of-three on fourth-down tries. It doesn't help that an ineffective passing game lends itself to regular third-and-longs. Which in turn are difficult to convert with an ineffective passing game. The vicious cycle continues. 

Los Angeles did face a worthy challenger in the Cleveland Browns, who lost their last-place bid on a late touchdown that turned a 34-3 deficit into a 34-10 final against the Jaguars. No one thought they'd be any good, anyway. 

Our Rams, meanwhile, the heavy Super Bowl favorites, set the bar in the sky and fell lower than low, flat on their faces. It's embarrassing, but the only thing to do is dust themselves off for the next one, now missing Myles Garrett and undeniably worse for wear. 

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