Bonsignore: Rams will get a big early-season litmus test Thursday against the 49ersBy VINCENT BONSIGNORE
SANTA CLARA – It’s much too early in the season to start talking about must-wins for the Rams. Conventional wisdom suggests no matter what happens when they play the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night, it won’t make or break their season in the grand scheme of things.
But viewed through the smaller lens of a young team and a young head coach trying to plant one sturdy footstep after another on their way to convocation, the 49ers offer a fascinating litmus test.
Two weeks into the season, it’s fair to presume the Rams are a better team than they were last year. It’s also fair to assume they know that better than anyone.
That was the prevailing sense upon observing them digest their disappointing loss to Washington on Sunday when, frankly, it was mostly self-inflicted wounds that caused their demise.
This wasn’t like last year when, deep down, the Rams understood losing was primarily the result of a talent and coaching disadvantage against most opponents. They’ve clearly narrowed the talent gap issue, and Sean McVay and his staff seem to have elevated the Rams’ scheme, adjustment and motivation game as well.
To the point they could honestly say Sunday that had they simply done – or avoided – X, Y and Z they could have easily beaten Washington. Which is a whole lot better than also having to add: “… and had a better left tackle and better wide receivers and a better designed offense and on and on and on.”
Which, let’s be honest, was far too often the case last year.
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