Rams’ abrupt offensive regression against Miami is concerning for their long-term playoff chances

LOS ANGELES — Just when the Los Angeles Rams offense seemed to be finding its rhythm, Matthew Stafford’s group suffered an embarrassing prime-time slump.

It’s too early to know what this means for the Rams’ playoff chances, but a big regression in an eminently winnable home game isn’t ideal for coach Sean McVay and his evolving team.

The Rams (4-5) have rarely done anything midway during McVay’s largely successful tenure, and their offensive missteps in a 23-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday night constituted a dramatic slowdown — especially because they came after two impressive outings against Minnesota. and Seattle.

“I believe in these guys,” McVay said. “We are all in this together. We have to be able to look at it and we have to constantly figure out what’s the best way to put our guys in the right spots, and try to find some sort of semblance of an identity. .”

The Rams’ month of momentum ended abruptly, with the offense failing to reach the end zone for just the second time in four seasons with Stafford in uniform. Los Angeles’ offensive line didn’t look sharp, Stafford wasn’t exceptionally accurate, Kyren Williams didn’t come up with any big runs and no receiver was able to make a big play in the red zone.

That totals five field goals from rookie Joshua Karty – actually six, but rookie Beaux Limmer’s false start erased a 52-yard mark that was followed by a 57-yard miss – and a night of frustration .

The Rams have fallen to 30th in the league in red zone touchdown success rate, scoring on just 46.9 percent of their trips. Stafford missed an open Williams on the most egregious red zone miss, but the Rams’ season-long woes in this area reveal problems with both McVay’s play-calling and the Stafford’s generally sufficient sense of play.

“It was just bad plays at the wrong time,” said Stafford, who went 32 of 46 for 293 yards while failing to throw a touchdown pass for the fourth time in nine games this season. ineffective play on first down or whatever, we shot ourselves in the foot in that strike zone, in the 30-yard line zone. That was probably the difference in the game, and not getting any touchdowns.

The Rams were in a great position to improve their record next month with three games against struggling franchises, but they quickly blew their chance to beat the Dolphins, who had one win since Week 1. The Rams will face New York. England (3-7). ) and New Orleans (3-7) on the road over the next three weeks, and both games look to be important for Los Angeles to have a chance in the playoffs.

What works

The Rams’ young defensive front thrived in Monday night’s spotlight: tackle Kobie Turner had six tackles, four pressures and a sack, while star rookie Jared Verse had five tackles and forced a fumble that he salvaged by sacking Tua Tagovailoa. The front has led the Rams’ dramatic defensive improvement over the past four weeks.

What needs help

The Rams are 26th in the league with a measly 94.1 rushing yards per game. That’s unacceptable for a team with a running back of Williams’ caliber — as well as promising rookie Blake Corum, who has just 80 yards on just 23 carries in nine games. The offensive line also deserves blame for why the Rams pass on about 60 percent of McVay’s plays, putting Los Angeles in the top quarter in the NFL.

Store

Linebacker Christian Rozeboom appeared to be a weak link for most of the season, but he starred against the Dolphins with his second career interception and two assists. Undrafted rookie Omar Speights also looked solid at inside linebacker, making eight tackles.

Stock falling

The Rams signed Colby Parkinson from Seattle to a three-year, $22.5 million contract last spring, but he was supplanted as Los Angeles’ top tight end by Davis Allen, a 2023 fifth-round pick. . Parkinson only got 11 snaps against Miami. , while Allen had 56 snaps. Parkinson has 23 catches for 214 yards on 36 targets this season, and he’s had at least one glaring slump as his role has diminished in recent weeks.

Injuries

The Rams reported no new injuries after the game. Offensive linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson played every minute in their returns after long-term injury absences, but both still looked rusty. Joe Noteboom played right tackle during a return from a long-term injury, and he appeared to struggle in place of Rob Havenstein.

Key number

Demarcus Robinson had just one catch on five targets against the Dolphins after catching two touchdown passes in each of the Rams’ last two games. Tutu Atwell barely played and only had one catch. Stafford is right to lean heavily on Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but getting the ball to his other two capable receivers seems smart.

Next steps

The Rams travel across the country on Sunday for what appears to be a must-win game in Foxborough, Mass., if Los Angeles hopes to stay in the thick of contention.