There is no such thing as a sense of panic.
Not, no less than, among the many Rams.
They’re 1-4. Getting ready to presumably falling out of playoff rivalry.
But when desperation was solely becoming for the scenario, it additionally was notably absent this week as coach Sean McVay and his gamers ready for Sunday’s recreation towards the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium.
It’s nonetheless early, it may be stated: Not even a 3rd of the Rams’ season is full.
So whereas a number of gamers famous a heightened sense of urgency on the observe area, it offered as an alternative as quiet confidence within the locker room.
The Rams, in any case, overcame an analogous predicament final season. After a defeat by the Inexperienced Bay Packers, they entered the break within the schedule with a 3-6 report. They got here out of it and gained seven of their final eight video games to make the playoffs.
“Nobody panicked,” edge rusher Byron Younger stated. “Nobody gave up — and that was the biggest thing. Nobody just said, ‘Oh well, the season’s over with.’
“It was more like, ‘This is an opportunity for us to come back from adversity.’”
As optimistic because the Rams’ perspective could be, there is no such thing as a escaping actuality. In the event that they lose to the Raiders, they are going to be 1-5 heading right into a “Thursday Night Football” recreation towards the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings.
Solely 4 groups in NFL historical past have began 1-5 and made the playoffs. Washington did it most not too long ago in 2020 regardless of ending 7-9.
“It would be lying if we said we didn’t want to start 5-0 — but we didn’t,” veteran linebacker Troy Reeder stated. “And now … we’ve left less room for those flaws later in the year.
Rams linebacker Troy Reeder (51) says the slow start to the season has put the team in a bind.
(Gregory Bull / Associated Press)
“But having done it last year, it instills a confidence not that it’s going to happen on its own, but we’re capable of making it happen.”
After shedding to the Detroit Lions in time beyond regulation within the season opener, the Rams bought routed by the Arizona Cardinals. They bounced again to defeat the equally injury-plagued San Francisco 49ers, after which misplaced to the Chicago Bears and the Packers.
Through the week off, coaches reviewed movie and contemplated personnel and scheme changes.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford referenced final season, when the Rams returned from the off week and narrowly defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 17-16, to begin their run.
“It wasn’t like we went in there and won 40-10 — that’s not the NFL,” Stafford stated. “It’s continuing to stack good days on top of each other, finding ways to win football games even if you don’t play your best in certain areas, which is inevitable in this league, and just trying to do the things that it takes to win games.”
The Rams could possibly be getting assist. Not from the surface, however from inside.
Star receiver Cooper Kupp, who sat out three video games due to an ankle harm, practiced this week and appeared on observe to play towards the Raiders. Offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (ankle) additionally practiced and could possibly be activated from injured reserve.
Receiver Puka Nacua, linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson and security John Johnson III are others who could possibly be activated from injured reserve within the coming weeks.
Can the Rams stay related till they return?
Veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon doesn’t acknowledge the Rams’ report, good or dangerous. He stated it’s only an “illusion” that may affect a mindset.
The Rams didn’t change their method after 2023’s sluggish begin, they simply saved working, Witherspoon stated.
“So by the time that the tide started turning,” he stated, “we were just doing the same thing, but the ball was just kind of bouncing in our favor.”
The playoffs “aren’t tomorrow” and the NFC West title is way from determined, exterior linebacker Michael Hoecht stated. Veterans should present rookies the way in which.
“In college you lose four games and it’s goodbye,” Hoecht stated. “In the NFL, that’s not the case. … There’s a lot of football in front of us.”
