Earlier in the week I noted that the only way that the Los Angeles Rams could end their three game loosing streak and get back on track was to get back to playing basic tough-minded football. The first thing I mentioned was the need to establish a rushing attack on offense. Over the past three games the team had all but abandoned their ground game giving in to the temptation of airing it out every opportunity that they could. With the addition of a star receiver like Odell Beckham Jr. to the roster you can understand why an offensive minded coach like Sean McVay could loose their way. And loose their way they did.
Likewise I also noted that the defense had to start playing a more physical style. So far Raheem Morris' philosophy of bend but don't break has allowed opposing offenses to move the ball steadily down the field and chew up a lot of clock. Simply put allowing players to catch short passes, then wait for them to cross the first down marker, then pounce on them simply wasn't working.
Luckily, the Rams coaching staff finally figured all that out and entered Sunday afternoons game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a different mind-set. The result was a balanced offense in which tailback Sony Michel rushed for a season high 121 yards and quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns. The defense played much more aggressively shutting down the Jaguars potent rushing attack while making life hard for rookie passer Trevor Lawrence all game long by creating constant pressure.
From The Rams Official Website:Update: Official ruling is now a half sack.@ernestjones50 is still a dawg though. https://t.co/ZKkdTjtjaY
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 5, 2021
.@CooperKupp doing Cooper Kupp things! 😏
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 5, 2021
📺 @nflonfox | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/x2yRoActvS
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 26 of 38 pass attempts for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Cooper Kupp added eight receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown in the win. Kupp's production made him the fourth wide receiver in Rams history to record 100 receptions in a single season, joining Isaac Bruce (119, 1995) and Torry Holt (117, 2003; 102, 2005), and also gave him a new single-season career high in receiving touchdowns with 11.
Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Van Jefferson each accounted for Stafford's other two passing scores, giving them both their second touchdown in as many games. Jefferson had six receptions for 41 yards in addition to his touchdown, Beckham two for 28.
In the feature back role, running back Sony Michel carried the ball 24 times for 121 yards and one touchdown.
.@obj with the dagger! 👀
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 5, 2021
📺 @nflonfox | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/56LNtEHIIa
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