The Rams left Sunday with a 24-9 win over the Chargers and a 4-4 record, and the second half offered a much clearer picture of what this team can look like when things start to snap into place. The opening half was messy. The finish had plenty more to work with.
Blake Corum was the biggest reason the Rams’ ground game finally found life. After the offense managed just five carries for 10 yards in the first half, Corum came out in the second half and ripped off five carries for 55 yards on the opening drive alone, finishing it with a 23-yard touchdown run.
He ended the day with 11 carries for 73 yards and, until the final drive, had more carries than Kyren Williams. Over the last two weeks, Corum has become an x-factor, and his 23 yards after forcing missed tackles were a season-high.
Aaron Donald did not record a sack, but his fingerprints were all over the game anyway. He logged a tackle for loss against the run and kept showing up around the ball.
After Wesley Bailey forced a strip sack, Donald nearly had a scoop and score for what would have been his first career touchdown. The pass-rush production still hasn’t shown up in the sack column, but the pressure is building, and he looks closer to breaking through.
Omar Speights has quietly turned into one of the Rams’ most active defenders over the last two weeks. Against the Chargers, he had four impact plays via Sumer Sports, including a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in coverage. He was around the ball constantly and finished without a missed tackle.
The Rams’ first half also made one thing obvious: this offense needs more help at wide receiver. Outside of Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell was the only other receiver to catch a pass.
Nacua hauled in 11 of his 12 targets, while Atwell, Konata Mumpfield, and Jordan Whittington combined for just two catches on six targets. Stafford’s interception came on a throw to Mumpfield, and it was clear he was uncomfortable whenever Nacua wasn’t open.
Whether it’s Josh Downs or Brian Thomas Jr., the Rams need to make a trade for a wide receiver.
Trent McDuffie’s return gave the defense a boost right away. Back on the field after missing the last two weeks, he led the Rams with nine tackles and added an interception that turned into a touchdown for the offense.
Josh Wallace and Emmanuel Forbes have held up well in his absence, but Sunday was a reminder of why the Rams traded for McDuffie in the first place. He matters to this defense.
Wesley Bailey also made a strong case for a bigger role. He and Josaiah Stewart both had sacks against the Chargers, but Bailey’s play stood out.
He strip-sacked Herbert, forced a fumble, and was solid against the run too. For an undrafted free agent, he’s already gone beyond expectations and become a real part of the pass rush rotation.
Josh Karty and the dirty kickoff weren’t clean all day, and the Rams still need more consistency there. Giving opponents the ball at the 40-yard line is a problem.
Still, when the kick coverage worked, the Chargers were pinned at the 23, 28, and 19. That’s an improvement over what the unit had been doing, even if a better team could have taken more advantage of the shaky spots before halftime.
It’s not finished, but it does look like a step forward.
In Other News...
Rams Defense Suddenly Has A Myles Garrett Question Again
The Rams have spent most of the early season waiting on a defensive boost, and Myles Garretts name has stayed at the center of that conversation since he landed on injured reserve with the knee injury he suffered in Week 1. His absence has been felt on a unit that the Rams believe can still improve, and any news around his recovery has carried extra weight because of what he means to the front seven.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, there is optimism Garrett could return to practice as soon as this week and potentially play soon after. For a defense looking for a lift down the stretch, that kind of timeline matters, even if the next step still has to come before anyone can count on him being back in game action. [Read more 🡒]
Rams May Be Making The Smart Call With Trent McDuffie
The Rams spent the offseason trying to raise the floor of their defense, and Trent McDuffie was one of the key additions meant to help do it. He has played well when available, but the groin injury that has already cost him multiple games has complicated the early returns, leaving Los Angeles to balance his value against the reality of a long season.
McDuffie is listed as questionable for Week 8, and the cautious approach makes sense with a softer matchup on the schedule. Josh Wallace has held up reasonably well in his place, which gives the Rams some flexibility to avoid rushing McDuffie back before he is fully ready. For a defense that added Myles Garrett, McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to change its outlook, the bigger picture may matter more than forcing one player into action too soon. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Offseason Squeeze Is Putting Several Veteran Jobs In Doubt
The Rams roster picture is already getting crowded, and that is before the front office even gets to the harder part of the offseason. Injuries have complicated the depth chart, pending free agents are hanging over the roster, and Les Snead is once again trying to balance immediate needs with the kind of long-term flexibility that keeps a contender from getting boxed in.
For veterans such as Tutu Atwell, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and David Quessenberry, the squeeze is real. Limited opportunities, roster depth and salary cap considerations all point in the same direction, and the Rams may have to make some uncomfortable choices as they sort out who fits beyond the present season. The decisions ahead are less about sentiment than survival, and they could reshape a few familiar spots on the roster sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]