4 Takeaways from the Rams 28 point loss to the Saints...

4 takeaways from the Rams' 28-point loss to the Saints

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

The Rams dropped to 2-2 on the year in the preseason, wrapping up their final exhibition game before the regular season begins. It was an ugly 28-0 loss to the Saints, continuing to struggle on offense.

Here are four takeaways from the loss:


Travin Howard, Tegray Scales might be fighting for one spot

Les Snead said on the broadcast that “four to five players are battling for two to three spots” and that the team is looking closely at everything from this game. If that’s the case, it’s going to be hard to cut Howard or Scales. They both impressed on Thursday night, particularly Howard. He had a few pass breakups and tackles, while also pressuring Taysom Hill in the pocket on a perfectly timed blitz.

He didn’t get the sack, but he was just a tick late.

As for Scales, he also had a nice rush early in the game but was tripped up by a teammate. The two alternated series for a little while next to Micah Kiser, who was the star of the game on defense. Kiser is a lock to make the team, but the Rams might have to choose between Scales and Howard.

Quarterback situation remains murky

There was an added level of excitement heading into this one with Luis Perez set to make his debut, but you could make the case that it was the worst quarterbacked game of the Rams’ preseason. Allen and Perez combined to go 15 of 28 for 100 yards and two interceptions, posting a passer rating of about 32.

Neither completed anything deep downfield, nor did they make wise decisions with the football. Allen’s interception was on a throw that should’ve been heaved into the crowd on third down, instead opting to loft it up along the sideline. Perez’s came on a play where he was pressured up the middle, choosing to throw the ball over the middle of the field for an easy interception.

The Rams seem set on Sean Mannion as Jared Goff’s backup, and while he did very little to impress the coaches this preseason, Allen and Perez did even less.

Cornelius Lucas, Darrell Williams in bad spots

Sean McVay decided to start the two elder tackles over Joseph Noteboom, who didn’t play at all. That’s a good sign for his status on the depth chart, meaning the Rams feel good about him being the swing tackle.

It doesn’t look good for Lucas or Williams, though. Williams was beat by Marcus Davenport on the left side, while also allowing a sack on a blitz later in the game. Although Lucas was the better player in this one, neither player should feel particularly good heading into Saturday’s final cuts.

Considering how much they played, it’s likely the coaching staff wanted to see more out of them. Unfortunately, what they saw wasn’t good.

Wide receivers squander chance to impress

Quarterback play wasn’t great on Thursday night, but that was partly due to the receivers’ inability to get open. Preseason standout KhaDarel Hodge came into this one needing to put on a show in order to cement his place on the 53-man squad, but he hardly did so. He was targeted just twice, catching one pass for 7 yards – albeit, a nice grab after climbing the ladder.

Mike Thomas didn’t play in this one and looks likely to grab that final sixth receiver spot. Hodge was the closest guy to supplanting him on the depth chart, but with his inability to get open despite seeing significant playing time is disappointing.

Fred Brown was further down on the depth chart and he won’t be moving up anytime soon. A likely cut candidate, Brown caught four of seven targets for 31 yards, but he had a costly fumble after a nice throw from Luis Perez.

It appears the wide receiver group is probably set unless Hodge somehow overtakes Thomas or Josh Reynolds is placed on IR.