The Los Angeles Rams defeated a Super Bowl contender and last year’s NFC champions within five days, and they did it in two games that were so different they hardly seemed related.
After scoring six touchdowns to beat Buffalo 44-42 and kicking four field goals to defeat San Francisco 12-6 during this unforgettable short week, the Rams (8-6) now have control over their future in the NFC West.
With seven wins in their last nine games, Los Angeles is almost on par with the Seahawks (8-5), who will visit SoFi Stadium next month after the Rams defeated them in overtime in Seattle last month. The Rams are also close behind Washington (8-5) in the NFC wild-card race.
Coach Sean McVay will need to examine his defense’s issues against the Bills and his offense’s struggles in Santa Clara, but the scoreboard reflects his optimism about the team’s progress.
“It says a lot about our team to be able to figure out different ways,” McVay said Monday. “Would you like to be able to put together complete performances where we play well on offense, on defense, and the kicking game? Yeah, of course, but the enemy has a say, and this league is difficult.
What I do like is that our team plays off of each other well enough to ultimately be able to find a way, and I think there is something to be said for learning how to be able to win, especially with the youth of this group.”
The Rams started their bye week at 1-4, and a team that didn’t reach a winning record until last weekend now has a chance to make the playoffs for the sixth time in McVay’s eight seasons as head coach.
However, their struggles on both offense and defense in back-to-back weeks are concerning.
Against the Bills, Los Angeles allowed 445 yards. Against the 49ers, they didn’t score a touchdown and gained only 302 yards — with just 94 yards in the first three quarters.
On a positive note, the Rams have developed a strong running game with a healthy offensive line, and Kyren Williams has rushed for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the last three games. That offensive line also kept Matthew Stafford from being sacked in the Rams’ last two victories.
