The way the Rams won in Week 14 could prove to be the season's turning point

Nobody figured the LA Rams as a team capable of winning a shootout this season. Yes, the Rams offense is expensive, the highest-paid offense in the NFL as a matter of fact. But entering Week 14, the team had only scored 30 points once, and on that occasion needed two points from a safety by the defense to reach that mark. In Week 13, the Rams' offense was completely shut out in the first half of the game by the New Orleans Saints.

There were not many fans who had much confidence in the team as they prepared to absorb the impact of one of the NFL's top-scoring offenses. And the Buffalo Bills were riding high on the crest of a seven-game winning streak. Still, it was no surprise. The Rams saw the Bills coming and knew what they had to do.

The thing is, nobody knew if they could pull it off.

In retrospect, until the game was finally over, I was still uncertain if they could pull it off. The Rams defense held the Bills offense to just 21 points in three quarters of regulation football. But in that fourth quarter, the Bills scored 21 points. To be honest, after the Rams defense force the Bills to punt with their first offensive possession, they scored a touchdown on each of their next four possessions. Worse yet, the Bills needed no more than 4:54 to score a touchdown. In fact, the Bills found the endzone in just 51 and 54 seconds.

While the Rams offense was at its lumpy bumpy best in Week 14, the defense did manage to show up occasionally. It was the defense's occasional influence in the game that kept the Rams on top. Both teams punted just two times throughout the entire game. The Buffalo Bills offense scored touchdowns in all three Red Zone appearances. The LA Rams settled for a field goal in one Red Zone appearance, but scored touchdowns on all five of the other occasions

The game carried a lot of the same excitement and energy as the Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Rams showdown in October 2018, a game in which the Rams won by a score of 54-51. Truth be told, I think I appreciated this game more. The Rams played nearly flawless offense, the team managed to put up some rushing, and how can you ever really top a blocked put for a touchdown?

As much as the Rams needed the win, the way that they won the game was equally important. For the first time this season, the offense awoke from its slumber.

Four different players found the end zone. Two players found the end zone multiple times. The Rams may not have gotten elite defense in Week 14. But for the first time all season, the offense proved that an elite defensive effort is unnecessary. That could prove to be the turning point for the team this season.

Best of all, others noticed that too.

As always, thanks for reading

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