Los Angeles Rams' refusal to adjust or learn from prior mistakes comes back to bite them in loss to Philadelphia Eagles

The Rams Shot Themselves In The Foot Vs Eagles

The Rams have had horrendous special teams play ever since John Fassel left following the 2019 season. They've cycled through four different special teams coordinators since, and have had Chase Blackburn in place since 2023. Last year, the Rams had the sixth-worst STs DVOA in NFL history. Despite their numerous changes at STC, they can't solve the problem. It bit them in this one, as the Rams had both of their game-winning field goals blocked. They had the same personnel in for both, and lo and behold, both got blocked on virtually the same look.

Offensively, Sean McVay's frequent redzone struggles resurfaced. The Rams haven't been a good red zone offense seemingly since Todd Gurley's prime, and it cost them today. They were forced to settle for numerous field goals instead of touchdowns. His fourth-down decision-making and play-calling was a disaster as well, like the fourth-and-1 decision to run it right up the middle with two backup guards in and a center that had struggled all game. He messed up his following fourth-down decision by electing to kick a field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and-two on the Eagles' 18. That field goal was blocked and the Eagles marched down the field for the game-winning drive. On the Rams' second potential game-winning field goal, McVay elected to run the ball up the middle with 20 seconds left and a timeout instead of attempting to pick up more yardage through the air, forcing Karty to kick another low kick. That one was also blocked.

If the Rams score a single touchdown on any of their field goal attempts, the game would have virtually been over.

Defensively, the Rams' played well for most of the game. They kept Saquon Barkley in check all game, and the pass rush was bullying Jalen Hurts all game. The problem with this was their poor personnel decisions caught up to them once again in a big game. Last season, the Rams were one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL, allowing the fifth-most passing touchdowns and were 20th in passing yards allowed. Despite that, they made zero changes to either personnel or coaching, hoping that Emmanuel Forbes would suddenly develop into a different player than he had showed his entire NFL career to this point and would carry a cornerback room of journeyman level players. Turns out, that was a false hope. Forbes was bullied (once again) by A.J. Brown all throughout the second half, and the Eagles just kept chucking up passes his way. The Rams had zero answers for the simplest playbook in the league. It wasn't just the cornerbacks, however, as their linebackers and safeties, two positions this front office has refused to prioritize for the last decade, got carved up as well.

All of these issues have been frequent problems for the Rams under Sean McVay and Les Snead. They haven't put it together yet that they don't have anything resembling a complete team by their own decisions as a front office and coaching staff, and it's the same thing time and time again. Someone in that room has to get serious and understand there are serious issues at hand with their roster building and coaching decisions.

In McVay's defense, Matthew Stafford didn't have his best game either. Still, he did more than enough for Los Angeles to win this game, including leading a tremendous two-minute drive to set up a potential game-winning field goal. Their stars did their job today, with Davante Adams, Puka Nacua, Jared Verse, Byron Young, and Poona Ford all making key plays all day.

They were let down by a stubborn coaching staff and front office that refuses to make necessary changes despite get taken advantage of time and time again. The Rams have the star talent to give themselves a strong floor and remain a consistent playoff team. But until the staff starts to make changes, their ceiling as a team remains capped.