3 agonizing outcomes from Rams stampeding by Bills…

3 agonizing outcomes from Buffalo stampeding over LA Rams

[ramblinfan.com]

by Donald Wilson

Welp, the LA Rams have their first game of the 2022 NFL season in the record books. What did we learn? We discovered that the team must scramble to diagnose the answer to the question everyone is asking. What the hell just happened?

Before last night’s kickoff against the Buffalo Bills, there was an incredible positive aura surrounding and filling the LA Rams’ home field at SoFi Stadium. The defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams were in the building celebrating that victory for the last time, dropping the 2021 NFL Championship banner with over 70,000 fans in attendance. However, that is when the fun ended for the LA Rams.

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Rams by a score of 31-10 on opening night, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of Rams fans. The Rams were dominated in almost every phase of the game, leaving not much to be desired on either side of the ball. Here are the three biggest takeaways from the game.

1. Rams served a huge slice of Humble Pie

After winning the Super Bowl, the LA Rams have been riding high. Perhaps too high? With everyone singing their praises, ring ceremonies, and countless commercials, and advertisements featuring players, the Rams were on the top of the world this offseason.

Unfortunately, they met their match on Thursday Night Football. You see, the Buffalo Bills are a lot like the 2021 Rams. They came into the season with obvious championship hopes, and they refreshed the Rams’ memory on just how hungry you have to be to get there.

The Rams were reminded that no one cares about what happened last year, as defending champs become targets for each opponent faced the following season. The Bills put the pedal to the metal from the opening kickoff, and the Rams were flat and just not ready to go. Hopefully, this is the wake-up call they need to kick them into gear for the rest of the 2022 season.

2. Offensive line was worked over by the Buffalo pass rush

For a football team with Super Bowl aspirations, the offensive line’s level of play has to be much better than what we witnessed from the LA Rams in Week 1. For a team coming off a championship victory, the Rams’ offensive line was everything but elite last night.

LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked an egregious seven times during the contest while escaping many more. He was never able to get comfortable in the pocket, which could explain why he put up three interceptions.

Starting offensive tackle Joe Noteboom’s debut was very forgettable against former Rams outside linebacker Von Miller, who registered two sacks and three tackles for loss. As important as the tackles are in this league, interior offensive linemen anchor the group. Left guard David Edwards, center Brian Allen, and right guard Coleman Shelton had poor performances last night as well, creating very few running lanes for running backs and absolutely no pocket for Stafford to step up into.

It’s only one game, so we’ll see if the Rams can regroup and put together a string of good performances up front. However, if last night wasn’t just a bad game, the Rams may have to take a look at the veteran market for offensive linemen sometime soon.

3. Where was A-Rob?

Early in the off-season, the LA Rams made a splash move by signing free agent WR Allen Robinson, who was previously with the Chicago Bears. Robinson’s skillset was something that caught the eye of the Rams coaching staff, as his ability to go and high point the football in traffic is something that QB Matthew Stafford loves in a receiver.

However, he was nowhere to be found last night. His stats for TNF against that Buffalo secondary? Two targets, one catch, and just 12 yards. Robinson was on the backside of formations consistently last night, and Stafford never had the time to find him.

There are many factors that play into it, but whether it is on LA Rams head coach Sean McVay, QB Stafford, or the offensive line, the Rams HAVE to get the ball into the hands of Robinson.

His play-making ability will indeed take pressure off teammate Cooper Kupp if the Rams can get him going. I am very interested to see how his involvement changes over the course of the year and the ways in which he will help this group. Last night, it was not apparent.

As far as Rams game takeaways? The Rams have ten days before taking the field in Week 2 to face the Atlanta Falcons. That may be just enough time to fix all the mistakes performed in Week 1.