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01/19 18:34 CST Rams' clutch OT victory over Bears masked a poor performance at
a bad time by the NFL's top offense
Rams' clutch OT victory over Bears masked a poor performance at a bad time by
the NFL's top offense
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Sean McVay acknowledged he couldn't find any flow as a
play-caller for long stretches in Chicago.
Matthew Stafford said he never really had a rhythm while completing less than
50% of his throws with no touchdown passes in perhaps his worst postseason game
in a Los Angeles Rams uniform.
The Rams (14-5) still came out of Soldier Field with a clutch 20-17 overtime
victory and a trip to the NFC championship game in Seattle.
But the coach and his quarterback agree that the league's most productive
offense during the regular season is not in top form heading into a shot at
another Super Bowl.
That's not great news for the championship chances of the Rams, the only team
in the NFL's final four that didn't get there relying mostly on a dominant
defense.
"It was mental mistakes that prevented us from doing what we're capable of
doing," McVay said Monday. "There were a lot of instances (where) I first look
at myself and say, ?All right, how can we provide clarity?' You give Chicago
credit, because they did a great job, but it was stuff that we expect to be
able to execute."
McVay invariably blames himself first for his team's failures, but his
acknowledgement of execution mistakes indicates he saw obvious areas for
improvement in his players, whether it's an offensive line that had one of its
poorest games of the season or a quarterback who hasn't been in MVP form in
either playoff game.
It's not great to be in that situation in January, but McVay also has an
unfailing belief in his ability to fix whatever goes wrong with his team.
"Really just overall mental mistakes that we're not accustomed to having,"
McVay added. "A lot of different people took their hand in it, but when that
stuff exists with the types of players that we have, as a coaching staff we're
not doing a good enough job with the clarity."
That clarity comes down to coaching, and McVay is a teacher at heart. The
fifth-seeded Rams are still in the NFC title game for the first time in four
years and the third time under McVay, who won both of his previous trips.
But he has plenty of work to do this week --- with his 40th birthday looming
Saturday, no less.
The Rams had 340 total yards in Chicago --- but only a season-low 174 in the
first three quarters, and a mere 279 in regulation. Ethan Evans was forced to
punt eight times, a career high for Los Angeles' punter for the past three
seasons.
The Rams usually moved the ball effectively when they kept it on the ground:
Kyren Williams had 87 yards on 21 carries and scored his first two postseason
rushing touchdowns.
But McVay repeatedly went away from that steady running game, throwing 42
passes in the frigid conditions with play selection that had Rams fans pulling
out their collective hair at home, and likely inspiring McVay's comment that he
couldn't get in a flow.
Stafford went 20 of 42 with far more off-target throws than usual, and he
didn't have a TD pass after throwing for multiple scores in each of his first
seven postseason games with the Rams.
Yet for everything that went wrong, the Rams are on to Seattle knowing they
have a chance: The NFC West rivals' first two meetings this season came down to
the final snap.
What's working If not for Caleb Williams' miraculous TD heave in the final seconds of regulation, the Rams' defense would have held Chicago to 10 points with two interceptions and two turnovers on downs. Los Angeles saw resilience and improvement from a unit that had faltered since Thanksgiving.
What needs help The Rams moved away from the three-tight end sets that have increasingly dominated their offensive game plan since midseason. The decision was likely because of personnel matchups, but it was a jarring change to see Tyler Higbee getting only eight snaps and Davis Allen getting just nine. Colby Parkinson and rookie Terrance Ferguson combined for four catches for 75 yards --- albeit on 12 targets.
Stock up Safety Kam Curl had the biggest game of his NFL career in Chicago, leading the Rams with 13 tackles before making the diving overtime interception that led to the winning points. The hard-hitting Curl --- a pending unrestricted free agent --- has been a stalwart at the back of LA's defense for two seasons.
Stock down Stafford and his receivers likely feel they owe a big game to their teammates at this point. Puka Nacua had five catches for 56 yards on 10 targets, while Davante Adams had just two catches on six targets. Los Angeles' season-long lack of a trusted No. 3 wideout remains glaring.
Injuries LB Byron Young has knee soreness that might keep the Rams' sacks leader out of practice this week, while CB Emmanuel Forbes injured his shoulder. Both are expected to play in Seattle, McVay said.
Key number 12 --- The Rams' total trips to the NFC championship game after Sunday. After losing six of their first seven, the Rams have advanced to the Super Bowl in four straight --- two for the "Greatest Show on Turf" in St. Louis, and two more under McVay.
Next steps The Seahawks are favored behind their dominant defense and raucous home crowd. Yet the Rams scored 37 points against that defense a month ago, and they've already won two road playoff games in January --- just the third time in franchise history that's happened. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
What's working If not for Caleb Williams' miraculous TD heave in the final seconds of regulation, the Rams' defense would have held Chicago to 10 points with two interceptions and two turnovers on downs. Los Angeles saw resilience and improvement from a unit that had faltered since Thanksgiving.
What needs help The Rams moved away from the three-tight end sets that have increasingly dominated their offensive game plan since midseason. The decision was likely because of personnel matchups, but it was a jarring change to see Tyler Higbee getting only eight snaps and Davis Allen getting just nine. Colby Parkinson and rookie Terrance Ferguson combined for four catches for 75 yards --- albeit on 12 targets.
Stock up Safety Kam Curl had the biggest game of his NFL career in Chicago, leading the Rams with 13 tackles before making the diving overtime interception that led to the winning points. The hard-hitting Curl --- a pending unrestricted free agent --- has been a stalwart at the back of LA's defense for two seasons.
Stock down Stafford and his receivers likely feel they owe a big game to their teammates at this point. Puka Nacua had five catches for 56 yards on 10 targets, while Davante Adams had just two catches on six targets. Los Angeles' season-long lack of a trusted No. 3 wideout remains glaring.
Injuries LB Byron Young has knee soreness that might keep the Rams' sacks leader out of practice this week, while CB Emmanuel Forbes injured his shoulder. Both are expected to play in Seattle, McVay said.
Key number 12 --- The Rams' total trips to the NFC championship game after Sunday. After losing six of their first seven, the Rams have advanced to the Super Bowl in four straight --- two for the "Greatest Show on Turf" in St. Louis, and two more under McVay.
Next steps The Seahawks are favored behind their dominant defense and raucous home crowd. Yet the Rams scored 37 points against that defense a month ago, and they've already won two road playoff games in January --- just the third time in franchise history that's happened. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
