Rams new offensive lineup meets an old nemesis in 30-25 loss to the Seahawks

Settling for field goals leads to last minute loss

With revamped starting lineups on both sides of the ball, the Los Angeles Rams played gamely, but ultimately fell to the visiting Seattle Seahawks 30-25 this Sunday past. It is ironic that with all the changes to the lineups, it was an old nemesis that did them in.

The Rams were forced to settle for four field goals

Overall, the patchwork Rams offense rolled to 403 yards, their second highest total on the season and penetrated Seattle territory on eight of 10 drives. On the defensive side, L.A. gave up 336 yards and although it was less than their season average (355), Seattle was able to score four touchdowns in five scoring opportunities.

With the loss, the Rams might have lost a seeding spot, but did retain the NFC West title and an opening home game for the WildCard weekend. L.A. has a rematch with the Minnesota Vikings next Monday night.

The last regular season weekly snap count review has quite a few new names. Who played? And more importantly, who played well? Players, their snaps, and percentage are in bold.

Quarterback

After all the years of rooting against Jimmy Garappolo (66, 100%), the irony of cheering him on was not lost, but his outing should be graded a rousing success, Why? Because this game was exactly what the Rams signed him for. To take over and run the offense with only a week’s notice and give the team a chance to win. Try to bring him back next year.

Running back

The blizzard of Blake Corum carries did not happen. He took shots on the forearm on consecutive plays early in the second quarter and looked to have a cast on his arm later in the game. Ronnie Rivers (52, 79%) did what he always does when called upon, he filled his role. He supplements his less-than-stellar talent/athleticism with hustle, heart, and responsibility discipline. With Corum’s injury, it appeared to be a good time to kick the tires on Cody Schrader (2, 3%), but the Rams were having success through the air and a real look at his game did not come to fruition.

Wide receiver

It could have been his stepping out game, but Tutu Atwell (36, 55%) dropped a pass and had a couple of others swiped from his grasp. Still, a stat line of five catches on eight targets and a couple of first downs is a fair days work.

Demarcus Robinson (62, 94%) logged his second largest percentage of snaps for the season. While he only hauled in three of six deliveries, a 24.0 average per catch is sparkling. Tyler Johnson (50, 76%) had his biggest workload since Week 6. I consider Johnson and Robinson to be similar pro’s, good size, length, and hands. Both can do damage as WR#3 in situational work.

Jordan Whittington (31, 47%) has really been a hit, even while battling through some shoulder woes. His production numbers are modest, but he continues to show out in multiple phases when offered the chance to string reps together. Even as a rookie, he doesn’t appear to be intimidated by the speed of the pro game, nor by veteran defenders.

Good to see Xavier Smith (5, 8%) get a couple of jet sweeps, even if they weren’t successful. I used to love the offense when every man the Rams put in motion had to be accounted for as a possible runner.

Tight end

L.A. appeared to be fine with a four-man rotation at tight end and used a handful of two-tight end sets as part of the gameplan to help the offensive line. Another comeback step for Tyler Higbee (27, 41%). He took a bigger role and made a viable contribution. Fans that don’t like him still won’t, but he is better than the alternatives.

Since Week 8, Colby Parkinson (26, 39%) has settled in at about 30 snaps per game. Since that time, he’s averaging less than two targets per game. The Rams continue to use Davis Allen (20, 30%) almost exclusively as a blocker and his draft review was that of a “ball skills” prospect. Hunter Long (7, 11%) has had the most productive year in his injury-plagued career. Hopefully, the knee injury he suffered Sunday is not serious.

Offensive line

The Rams gameplan gave the mix/match line plenty of support, often keeping the tight end and/or running back in to help. A variety of screen passes were also employed successfully. As expected, there were some problems on switch offs when the blitz came and Seattle logged three sacks, but generally, Garrappolo had time to throw.

In his first action as a pro, rookie Dylan McMahon (66, 100%) went all the way at center. After a rough first drive, he settled in and had a solid game. You can see why the Rams have kept him on the active roster all year and not risked him clearing waivers and moving to the practice squad. It’s only one game, but very easy to be optimistic about L.A.’s two young centers.

On the right side, Jonah Jackson (66, 100%) was strong at right guard and Warren McClendon (66, 100%) did well until the Rams very last play, when he got beat inside and Garappolo was forced to hurry the fourth down throw. Over on the blind side bookend, Steve Avila (66, 100%) played pretty well with some ups and downs. Some of the pressure through his gap was off a blitz or loop, but too often this season, he’s beaten right off at the point of attack. He either misses with his punch or just doesn’t react quick enough and can’t get his feet moving fast enough into position. This was a typical Joseph Noteboom (66, 100%) performance, serviceable. I don’t recall any bad beats.

Special teams

Another consistent Ethan Evans (13) showing. In line with his season form, five of six kickoffs were through the end zone and one of two punts were dropped inside the 20. Again, Alex Ward (7) was spot on with his snaps. Josh Karty (5) was outstanding, dead-solid-perfect on all his field goals and he seems to be peaking at the right time.

Defensive line

Usual starters Braden Fiske (11, 20%) and Kobie Turner (11, 20%) saw their action as a duo, always in pass situations and didn’t have much affect on the game. Fiske was credited with a half sack. Tyler Davis (28, 51%) and Desjuan Johnson (26, 47%) took over their starting roles. Johnson had his best game as pro, logging five tackles and a sack, while Davis added three tackles.

Neville Gallimore (28, 51%) had his highest snap count since Week 7, but didn’t show much for it. I haven’t shown much love for Bobby Brown (22, 40%) in this series, but I thought he had a few more positive reps vs. the ‘Hawks. His snaps have been trending down for weeks.

Edge

You could make the Fiske/Turner duo a quartet, adding Byron Young (11, 20%) and Jared Verse (11, 20%). The foursome were used exclusively together.

Overall, I’m optimistic about the future of Brennan Jackson (27, 49%). This was far and away his biggest workload as a pro. He has a different style than the other edge players, more pure power-based. He doesn’t have to be of starting grade in L.A., just needs to develop and sub in for Young and Verse. Right off the practice squad, Keir Thomas (39, 71%) showed why the Rams keep him around. He may lack the athleticism to play edge the way the Rams use them and is just a touch small for interior work. He does it on football IQ, hard work and an innate sense of how to handle bigger bodies. Michael Hoecht (26, 47%) was kind of quiet.

Off-ball linebacker

It appeared that Jake Hummel (51, 93%) was more aggressive on run fits than he’d been in the past. and he had some good coverages. Omar Speights (44, 80%) had a quiet outing, no big hits or misses.

Safety

The learning curve continues for Kamren Kinchens (55, 100%), he had a couple heavy hits (legal) and it looked like he was taking charge and making some defensive calls/alignments. He should develop into a good player, although I think he’s best at strong safety.

Although it was the first NFL start for Jaylen McCollough (55, 100%), it wasn’t his highest snap count against the Seahawks (Week 6, 56). Quentin Lake (10, 18%) had some early reps but the Rams defensive gameplan was pretty straight-forward. A 4-3-4, four on the interior, three linebackers with McCollough lining up as the third backer, two corners, and two safeties.

Cornerback

It was a night of sticky coverage for Cobie Durant (55, 100%), even on the catches he allowed. Giving up some contested catches are simply baked into the cake when you put a player of his size, length, and strength on the outside against bigger receivers.

Well, Rams fans can now certainly attest to the reports on Emannuel Forbes (52, 95%) tackling ability. Not particularly good. For having only eight reps since mid-October, he was serviceable in coverage. Josh Wallace (30, 55%) had his biggest workload since Week 6. He’s another rookie learning on the job and appears to me to understand his role and get himself into the proper positions. Ahkello Witherspoon (13, 24%) looked like he let down on the touchdown pass.

Active, but did not play

QB Stetson Bennett, C Beaux Limmer, CB Darious Williams, S Kamren Curl

Inactive

QB Matthew Stafford, RB Kyren Williams, WR Puka Nacua, WR Cooper Kupp, T Alaric Jackson, G Kevin Dotson, T Rob Havenstein

Eureka!

In this case, it’s Sean McVay exclaiming a trip to the playoffs, not Archimedes proclaiming a mathematical deduction.

The only numbers to remember are six of eight, that’s the Rams number of playoff trips since the McVay era began in 2017. Erase the blackboards, or in this day and age, the dry erase whiteboard. From here on out, anything is possible and anybody can be a contender, or pretender.

Mistakes are magnified and great plays glorified. The element of chance lies patiently in wait.

Man, where’s my lucky Rams hat? Wait! “I have found it.”