I've had that feeling before. The last time I felt it was the first half of the Rams' last regular season game of the season. Then the Ram "self destruct" button was pressed. It happened again two games later against the Bucs in the playoffs. While other games have ebbs and flows, that "self destruct" mode has already been pressed twice this year as the Rams tried their best to keep the Falcons and Cards close enough to win. To be fair, the Rams have played some complete games over the years, but it seems so much rarer than the GSOT era. That team was always good for a blowout.

Bottom line, this team has operated this year around 75% of their potential. Last year, it felt like they hovered around the same 75% mark during their mid season slump. There were times they played closer to 90% (always fourth quarter in the playoff run, first half Cards and Bucs, first quarter Bengals).

The Rams are still forming their offensive identity, rebuilding their OLine, varying their running game concepts, seeking a deep threat, and forming chemistry with new receivers not named Kupp. And for all of Stafford's amazing precision, it's the WTF throws that seem like a great idea in his head unleashes and suddenly he finds the receiver didn't have the same idea. So, no. I never feel like a game is "bagged" before they play.

On defense, it feels once again like if the Rams don't blitz or AD beats a triple team, quarterbacks play pretty protected from any real rush. There seem to be slightly more missed tackles and busted coverages than we saw at the end of last year but the injuries in the secondary are a condition, not an excuse. They have to be simpler and more conservative to protect the DB's with limited live reps in the system. I feel the D has been adjusting well but still not even 80% yet.

The good news is, the Rams will improve because they will do what it takes to make that happen. However, that is with no assurance the improvements will result in wins.