Rams lose after a walk-off punt return touchdown.
When the Los Angeles Rams look back and recall their devastating 31-37 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the season, we might be wondering what could have been. After trading punts and forcing overtime due to a Lucas Havrisik field goal, the Ravens returned Ethan Evans’ kick for a touchdown, ending the back-and-forth game and dropping the Rams to 6-7 on the year.
What went wrong, and individually, who is at fault? Now let’s examine the “winners” and “losers”:
Winners
QB, Matthew Stafford
In spite of the weather, the Rams managed to complete 23 of 41 passes (56%) for 294 yards and three touchdowns, which was sufficient to win this game. For the most part of the day, the Rams offense successfully penetrated the formidable Ravens defense, and both the passing and running games were mostly successful.
Stafford found Demarcus Robinson and Cooper Kupp with touchdown passes. His other touchdown was on a screen pass to Davis Allen, a rookie tight end.
WR, Cooper Kupp
WR, Puka Nacua
Kupp gained 115 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. Nacua gained six yards on the ground in addition to hauling in five passes for 84 yards. Even though Kupp has recently seemed to be limited, this game demonstrates what this pair can do when they work well together. As he is known to do, Kupp appeared to step up frequently on third down. At this point, Nacua is most likely the team’s main pass-catching threat.
CB, Witherspoon Ahkello
Although the Rams defense doesn’t frequently force turnovers, when it does, it’s usually at the expense of seasoned CB Witherspoon. He helped the Rams offense get favorable field position when he picked off Lamar Jackson far down the field and then returned the ball past midfield.
RB, Kyren Williams
The Rams and Sean McVay gave LA a red zone possession early in the game with a forceful offensive run of nine straight plays, which appeared to take the Ravens off guard. Los Angeles had to settle for a field goal after calling multiple pass plays at the goal line.
What’s more impressive is that Williams finished the game with 25 rushes for 114 yards, and the Rams were able to establish themselves on the ground consistently. The second-year back caught three passes for a net yardage of zero, so there wasn’t much more for him to add through the air.
K. Lucas Havrisik
It’s clear that the Rams don’t fully trust their young kicker, Lucas Havrisik. Los Angeles signed veteran Mason Crosby to the practice squad following a disappointing performance last week, but they ultimately decided to play Havrisik in this game. Despite having to play overtime due to a late make, he performed well on all three of his attempts. Under extreme pressure, Havrisik performed admirably for his team.
TE Davis Allen
It’s not easy to score your first NFL touchdown, but his four-catch, 50-yard performance may have been even more impressive. Due to injuries, Hunter Long was carted off quite frequently. Pregame, Tyler Higbee, the regular starter, was declared out. With Allen in the starting lineup, the Rams offense appeared to click, and Davis may be Los Angeles’ next late-round steal.
WR Demarcus Robinson
Security With a crucial interception that was crucial to LA’s victory last week, John Johnson exacted revenge on his old team, the Cleveland Browns. Although Robinson scored a touchdown in the closing moments of the game, his retaliation would have been even more satisfying had the Rams prevailed.
Losers
Special Teams
The Rams’ third unit has been their weakest point all season, and the Ravens won the game in overtime with a punt return for a touchdown. For the most part of the season, rookie punter Ethan Evans has been excellent, but the Rams’ special teams group as a whole is in question. Even though Havrisik played exceptionally well, the kicker position is generally unstable.
The Rams appear to be underinvesting in special teams, at least in comparison to previous years, and it cost them today.
WR/PR Austin Trammell
Trammell fumbled the ball twice today, but thankfully both times it was recovered. He technically belongs on the “losers” list because you have no control over which direction the oblong ball bounces.
Pass Rush
Although the Rams frequently appeared to apply pressure to Lamar Jackson, the dynamic quarterback was rarely affected by sacks or hits. Jackson appeared to be able to scurry and produce successful plays even when it appeared that the LA pass rush was making contact. Jackson kept ahead of the chains and ran 11 times for 70 yards.
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