10 takeaways from Rams frustrating loss to Bears
The Los Angeles Rams fell to the Chicago Bears in Week 4 of the NFL season to fall to 1-3. While last week was one of the more impressive wins in the Sean McVay era, Sunday may have been one of the more frustrating. Here are 10 takeaways from the loss.
1. Rams defense came out with good energy
The defense seemed to actually come out with good energy and carried some of the momentum that they picked up at the end of the game last week. Quentin Lake had a good tackle in space to force a punt on the opening drive. That energy carried throughout much of the first quarter.
However, when it comes to this defense, they don’t have the talent or experience to schematically compete with most offenses in the NFL. For them to beat teams, they’ll need to outplay them and come with that energy for four quarters. Right now, this defense lacks experience and leadership to consistently bring that. By the time the second half came along, the Bears started to wear down the defense.
2. Red zone issues continue to linger on both sides
When it comes the issues in the red zone for the Rams, it seems like it’s the offense that’s under the magnifying glass. This isn’t to say that it shouldn’t be. The offense hasn’t been good in that area of the field and it’s costing them games. They were 2-for-5 in the red zone in Week 1 and just 1-for-4 in the red area against the Bears. Right now, it’s not good enough. It is worth noting that without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams are without two receivers that Matthew Stafford can trust in that area. However, the red zone operation needs to be better all around.
With all of that being said, it has not been good enough on the defensive side of the ball either. Since the overtime touchdown against the Lions, the Rams defense has allowed a touchdown on six of their last eight red zone possessions. It’s a bad combination when your offense can’t score touchdowns in the red zone while the defense can’t keep opposing teams out of it.
3. It’s the veterans that are letting Rams down in big moments
Coming into the season, the Rams were a young in key areas. That included on the defensive line. Due to injury, young players like Beaux Limmer and Logan Bruss have had to step up. Those young players are going to have their mental lapses and mistakes. With that said, it is the veteran players letting the Rams down right now.
The Rams opted for more experience in the secondary this season. Multiple times, Tre White got flagged on third down. On 3rd-and-9 from the 15, White was called for defensive pass interference in the end zone. That play led to a touchdown. Troy Reeder wears the green dot in the defense. He has not been the presence in the middle of the defense that the Rams have needed. The Rams aren’t playing Blake Corum presumably for pass protection reasons. Kyren Williams missed a block that led to Stafford’s fumble. Kevin Dotson gave up a sack that killed the opening drive. These are all players that the Rams need more from on a down-to-down basis.
4. Wide receivers have stepped up, but Nacua and Kupp are missed
There is something to be said about how TuTu Atwell and Jordan Whittington have stepped up over the last two weeks. Still, the Rams miss Nacua and Kupp. There have been a few plays where Whittington saw one coverage and Stafford saw another, leading to an incomplete pass. Tyler Johnson hasn’t been as good as the Rams have needed him to be.
