Why 9 winners and 4 losers from Rams victory could start 2nd winning streak

Losers

The term losers has a variety of connotations that may or may not convey my intended meaning. But the general use of the contrast between winners and losers does frame a list of players (or groups) that either exceed or fail to meet expectations. So who failed to meet expectations?

(4) - Rams secondary

There are stars from the group. And there are some who are not so great. But the group as a whole is certainly not achieving expectations. But is this a matter of a poorly performing secondary, or a matter of overly optimistic expectations?

For that answer, I have to turn to an NFL expert and analyst, former Rams legendary quarterback Kurt Warner, who broke down New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye almost immediately after the game. And it's quite clear that Maye had one of his best single game performances of his young NFL season and career:

The Rams secondary is rather familiar with allowing superb performances to rookies and young offensive skill players this season. So it's not a sudden symptom of an injured player or even a matter of confusion or miscommunication. The Rams started CB Darious Williams and Cobie Durant, rotated in Ahkello Witherspoon for specific sub packages, and rounded out the team's secondary with a combination of four safeties.

The Rams had already traded veteran CB Tre'Davious White for next to nothing. But he is not the only veteran cornerback who has not met his career averages in the secondary. The Rams free agent signings of both Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams have landed veterans who have yet to play up to their own career norms.

And it's Week 12 coming up.