Who’s home?
No one dwelling.
The Rams threw a Monday night time celebration that crammed SoFi Stadium with celebrities, legends, pop stars … virtually every little thing you want for a nationally televised Hollywood soccer bash.
The one factor lacking was them.
The stage was set for the Rams to show their championship legitimacy … but they didn’t present.
The soccer world was anxiously awaiting a scorching look from one of many NFL’s hottest and most fun groups … and so they took a move.
Handed the struggling Miami Dolphins on a blue-and-gold platter, the Rams fumbled the trade, dropped the shining alternative with a loud clang, made a complete mess of the joint, and staggered away with a 23-15 loss that was as ugly because the rating sounded.
“It sucks,” stated guard Steve Avila.
It definitely did.
An offense devised by the nice Sean McVay and engineered by the new Matthew Stafford scored precisely zero touchdowns. It was the primary time that mixture has been stored out of the tip zone in additional than two years.
“Sloppy? Yeah,” stated McVay.
An offensive line that lastly was beginning to make sense with the return of two starters allowed 4 sacks and fixed stress on Stafford, who threw one interception and averaged simply 5 yards per completion.
“Negative plays at the wrong time,” stated Stafford. “We shot ourselves in the foot a little bit.”
Dolphins cornerback Kendall Fuller picks up a fumble by Kyren Williams because the Rams’ Puka Nacua (17) pursues.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Occasions)
A wise Rams tradition that not often makes dumb errors dedicated six penalties for 64 yards, together with an unlawful process by lineman Beaux Limmer that price them a area purpose.
“Too many things that it just seemed like, we were off and we never gave ourselves a chance,” stated McVay.
They have been off from the very second the sport was on.
The Rams allowed the Dolphins to drive the sphere on the sport’s first possession and rating on an 18-yard jet-screen run by Malik Washington.
The Rams first play? Kyren Williams caught a backfield move from Stafford and was instantly smothered for a 10-yard loss.
“Obviously, didn’t want to lose (10 yards) on the first play of the game … tough to play football that way,” stated Stafford.
The Rams seemingly by no means recovered, wanting nothing just like the crew that had rebounded from a 1-4 begin to win three consecutive video games and put themselves able to finally take management of an inconsistent NFC West.
Thus dragged again to actuality, they’ll spend the remainder of the week at 4-5, trailing the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers with video games remaining towards each plus the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Payments on the horizon.
Translated: They’re nonetheless within the playoff hunt, however their margin for error is dwindling as quick as McVay’s voice.
Dolphins defensive sort out Neil Farrell Jr. prevents the Rams’ Matthew Stafford from following by way of on a move that fell incomplete.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Occasions)
“We can’t dwell on this, ‘Oh no, woe is me,’” stated rookie edge rusher Jared Verse. “We have to move on.”
Good factor it’s a brief week with a visit to New England awaiting this weekend. They certainly gained’t have a lot time to ponder a sport wherein they’d all their offensive weapons complementing their frenetic younger protection, a sport wherein they have been correctly favored and will have gained.
The Dolphins had misplaced six of their final seven video games, their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was underneath scrutiny for a number of concussions, and speedy receiver Tyreek Hill was enjoying with a torn wrist.
To not solely botch this opportunity but additionally to take action with out even scoring a landing? This scene was paying homage to the 31-point blowout in Arizona earlier this season. Championship groups don’t stumble this badly, not twice in 9 video games, and it’s a must to begin questioning.
“Whatever I say is going to be an excuse,” stated McVay. “We have to be better.”
Hey, aside from the soccer, it was a reasonably memorable night time.
First, there was the suitable second of silence for John Robinson, the legendary former USC and Rams coach who died Monday at age 89.
Though Robinson gained extra native fame as a Trojan nationwide championship coach in 1978, he is a large a part of Rams historical past, teaching extra Rams video games than anybody — 153 — and holding the document for wins with 79 till McVay surpassed him earlier this season.
As the sport progressed, the video board did what the Rams offense couldn’t do, working wild with stars.
Aaron Donald was proven main cheers. Mookie Betts was proven main, “Moooos.”
LeBron James was proven, and Marshall Faulk was interviewed, and the “I Can Make Your Hands Clap” group — Fitz and the Tantrums — had the stadium rocking at halftime.
The Rams protection additionally stored of us clapping, holding the flamable Dolphin offense to 238 yards. If the offensive line can’t maintain Stafford higher safety, nevertheless, and if Stafford can’t do a greater job of adjusting to the blanket protection of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, this crew may very well be in hassle.
“There wasn’t any sort of semblance of complementary football,” stated McVay. “That’s where we have to be able to improve.”
Even when the Rams have been good, they have been unhealthy. Christian Rozeboom intercepted Tagovailoa early within the second quarter to set them as much as seize the momentum … and but moments later they gave it again on a Williams fumble.
“One play here or there can make the difference, and we just didn’t do enough,” stated Stafford, talking of your complete crew.
Throughout his post-game press convention Stafford wore a blue baseball cap backward. On the opposite facet was the Dodgers brand.
Yeah, after Monday night time, this crew wants to show it round … once more.
