The Los Angeles Rams were handed their first loss of the 2021 NFL season after being blown out by the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
Not only did the loss serve as a reality check for a Rams team that built up plenty of hype coming off a big win in Week 3, but they have also conceded the top spot in the NFC West with the Cardinals now the lone undefeated team in the league. They are now set to face off against another divisional rival on a short week when they pay a visit to take on the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.
The offense caught plenty of flak for their underwhelming performance in the 37-20 loss versus Arizona. While L.A. may not have much time to regroup and prepare for their next test, left tackle Andrew Whitworth sees a silver lining in their situation.
Whitworth is actually happy that the Rams will have a chance to quickly bounce back from their tough loss, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“It’s one of those things that you got to relish moments like this,” Whitworth said during a video conference Monday. “If you like playing NFL football, if you enjoy sports and competition, then you should love nothing more than an opportunity where you get humbled and you have a chance to respond. Anytime we’re blessed with the opportunity to respond and it’s not the last game of the year or a playoff game (where) you lost (and) your season’s over, to me that’s exciting.”
Whitworth’s comments are indicative of the tone he is helping to set in the locker room following a disappointing loss. They also show just how much the 39-year-old is relishing every opportunity to play in what could be his farewell season.
The offensive line did not allow quarterback Matthew Stafford to be sacked at all in Week 4 and were doing a stellar job of opening running lanes form Darrell Henderson. However, they did allow Stafford to be pressured and he struggled mightily to find his rhythm in the pocket.
Fortunately, it is still early in the season and there is ample time for head coach Sean McVay to make the necessary adjustments to the offense. He can take solace in the fact that the offensive line has managed to step it up amid the changes that were made to this group during the offseason.
