Both certain playoff opponents handled the Rams
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https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/12/11/nfl-rams-bears-week-14-report-card-grades/
Rams Week 14 report card: Grading every position vs. Bears
By: Cameron DaSilva
Quarterback
This is a game Jared Goff would prefer to forget, and rather quickly. He completed 20 of 44 passes for 180 yards, four interceptions, a fumble and zero touchdowns. His passer rating was 19.1, the worst of his career. He was uncomfortable in the pocket, making inaccurate throws to all levels of the field and made poor decisions with the football. Nothing went right for him or the offensive line, which makes this a tough game to swallow.
Grade: F
Running back
For the second time in three games, Todd Gurley was held to fewer than 13 carries. He toted the rock 11 times for 28 yards on Sunday night, adding only three catches for 30 yards on seven targets. He had runs of 9, 11 and 12 yards, but his other eight attempts went for minus-4 yards. Justin Davis had a 19-yard carry on the last play of the game, but it was obviously meaningless.
Grade: C
Wide receiver
Josh Reynolds had a dropped pass and showed poor field awareness after failing to break upfield after a catch in what was an overall sloppy performance by the second-year receiver. Brandin Cooks wasn’t much better, catching just three of his seven targets for 22 yards. Robert Woods saw a whopping 13 targets, catching seven of those passes for 61 yards. Goff’s inaccuracy played a big role in the receiver’s struggles.
Grade: C+
Tight end
Gerald Everett played nine more snaps than Tyler Higbee but it hardly resulted in a productive performance. He caught four passes for 29 yards, while also dropping one over the middle. Higbee’s lone contribution came on a 9-yard reception.
Grade: C
Offensive line
This was the offensive line’s worst performance of the year. Goff was sacked three times and hit seven total times, while the Bears also made five tackles for loss. Penalties weren’t the problem, either. It was all technique and communication. Defenders were strangely left unblocked up the middle and the unit struggled to pick up the blitz on several occasions.
Grade: D
Defensive line
When a team runs for 194 yards, it’s impossible to give the defensive line a good grade. Aaron Donald was neutralized with double- and triple-teams, while Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers were unable to take advantage of favorable matchups. The Rams only got two hits on Mitchell Trubisky, one of which came from Donald.
Grade: C-
Inside linebacker
Like the defensive line, the linebackers proved incapable of slowing down the Bears’ rushing attack. Cory Littleton couldn’t get off blocks and Mark Barron was late to make reads in the hole, leading to big run after big run. This is one area the Rams must improve down the stretch.
Grade: C-
Outside linebacker
John Franklin-Myers had the Rams’ lone sack of the game and added a tackle for loss, so it was a successful performance for the rookie. Dante Fowler also generated some pressure on Trubisky a few times, but other than that, the outside linebacker were almost nowhere to be found.
Grade: C+
Cornerback
Aqib Talib was back in a full capacity and the secondary really benefitted from his return. Marcus Peters had an interception, Nickell Robey-Coleman made two outstanding plays to break up a pass and pick another off, while Talib provided solid coverage on the left side of the field. Robey-Coleman earned a spot on Pro Football Focus’ Team of the Week.
Grade: A
Safety
John Johnson continues to have a phenomenal sophomore season with yet another interception, his team-high fourth of the year. Lamarcus Joyner also played well in this one, though at his size, he doesn’t provide a whole lot in the way of run support.
Grade: B+
Special teams
Johnny Hekker had a booming 62-yard punt and a perfect fake, but the special teams unit as a whole was not very good. Greg Zuerlein missed a crucial 40-yard field goal and none of Pharoh Cooper’s kick returns were brought past the 25.
Grade: C+
Rams Week 14 report card: Grading every position vs. Bears
By: Cameron DaSilva
Quarterback
This is a game Jared Goff would prefer to forget, and rather quickly. He completed 20 of 44 passes for 180 yards, four interceptions, a fumble and zero touchdowns. His passer rating was 19.1, the worst of his career. He was uncomfortable in the pocket, making inaccurate throws to all levels of the field and made poor decisions with the football. Nothing went right for him or the offensive line, which makes this a tough game to swallow.
Grade: F
Running back
For the second time in three games, Todd Gurley was held to fewer than 13 carries. He toted the rock 11 times for 28 yards on Sunday night, adding only three catches for 30 yards on seven targets. He had runs of 9, 11 and 12 yards, but his other eight attempts went for minus-4 yards. Justin Davis had a 19-yard carry on the last play of the game, but it was obviously meaningless.
Grade: C
Wide receiver
Josh Reynolds had a dropped pass and showed poor field awareness after failing to break upfield after a catch in what was an overall sloppy performance by the second-year receiver. Brandin Cooks wasn’t much better, catching just three of his seven targets for 22 yards. Robert Woods saw a whopping 13 targets, catching seven of those passes for 61 yards. Goff’s inaccuracy played a big role in the receiver’s struggles.
Grade: C+
Tight end
Gerald Everett played nine more snaps than Tyler Higbee but it hardly resulted in a productive performance. He caught four passes for 29 yards, while also dropping one over the middle. Higbee’s lone contribution came on a 9-yard reception.
Grade: C
Offensive line
This was the offensive line’s worst performance of the year. Goff was sacked three times and hit seven total times, while the Bears also made five tackles for loss. Penalties weren’t the problem, either. It was all technique and communication. Defenders were strangely left unblocked up the middle and the unit struggled to pick up the blitz on several occasions.
Grade: D
Defensive line
When a team runs for 194 yards, it’s impossible to give the defensive line a good grade. Aaron Donald was neutralized with double- and triple-teams, while Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers were unable to take advantage of favorable matchups. The Rams only got two hits on Mitchell Trubisky, one of which came from Donald.
Grade: C-
Inside linebacker
Like the defensive line, the linebackers proved incapable of slowing down the Bears’ rushing attack. Cory Littleton couldn’t get off blocks and Mark Barron was late to make reads in the hole, leading to big run after big run. This is one area the Rams must improve down the stretch.
Grade: C-
Outside linebacker
John Franklin-Myers had the Rams’ lone sack of the game and added a tackle for loss, so it was a successful performance for the rookie. Dante Fowler also generated some pressure on Trubisky a few times, but other than that, the outside linebacker were almost nowhere to be found.
Grade: C+
Cornerback
Aqib Talib was back in a full capacity and the secondary really benefitted from his return. Marcus Peters had an interception, Nickell Robey-Coleman made two outstanding plays to break up a pass and pick another off, while Talib provided solid coverage on the left side of the field. Robey-Coleman earned a spot on Pro Football Focus’ Team of the Week.
Grade: A
Safety
John Johnson continues to have a phenomenal sophomore season with yet another interception, his team-high fourth of the year. Lamarcus Joyner also played well in this one, though at his size, he doesn’t provide a whole lot in the way of run support.
Grade: B+
Special teams
Johnny Hekker had a booming 62-yard punt and a perfect fake, but the special teams unit as a whole was not very good. Greg Zuerlein missed a crucial 40-yard field goal and none of Pharoh Cooper’s kick returns were brought past the 25.
Grade: C+
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I mostly agree. Losing to Tampa would disturb me more as a fan than losing away at New Orleans and Chicago. The Rams won't be playing in Chicago again, and we still have a chance to get the #1 seed..
I didn't like Brian Allen allowing a free pass to Goff on that one play. Collinsworth was driving me crazy about bad mouthing Goff's passes, when the pass was tipped or his shoulder was grazed by a defender which affected his throw, or the TE's were either dropping passes or not running great routes. But there was also an uneasiness/lack of confidence that I haven't seen in Goff since Fisher. McVay will have to shorten some of his plays when playing a great DLine.
I used to be very confident about winning the Eagles game, easily, which I am not so confident now. I am proud of our defense, because they have done well the last two games with Talib back, as I knew they would. Allen needs to really study the Bears tape of his performance, and Whit...Whit seems to wear out at this point of the season, but then he was facing Mack a lot, so maybe that's not fair to say. I will say that McVay and the offense needs a come to Jesus moment, and get right vs the Iggles.