The Los Angeles Rams were able to enter their Week 9 bye on a high note by winning two straight to help nullify an abysmal three-game skid that nearly resulted in a lost 2019 NFL season.
Although the Rams had gotten off to a promising 3-0 start, it was clear early on that they were still trying to get assimilated on both sides of the ball. The barrage of key injuries were magnified by back-to-back losses to NFC West rivals, which ultimately spurred the front office to usher in some significant changes by making a splash at the trade deadline with the acquisition of cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
The Rams are now 5-3 and still find themselves playing from behind in what has shaped up to be arguably the most competitive division in football this year. Regardless, they finally managed to get some momentum back on their side moving forward.
Head coach Sean McVay is hoping that his team can continue to build on that momentum coming out of the break, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“I think what we did is, we did a good job of responding from some adversity,” McVay said. “We’re 5-3. We’re what our record says we are, but we’re going to be able to look at ourselves and figure out what can we do to consistently have good, clean performances, all three phases putting it together?”
McVay added that the dominant 37-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7served as a good starting point for their resurgence:
“The Atlanta game was a step in the right direction, and I think in some glimpses, each of the phases played well, but we’ve got to play consistently through all four quarters,” McVay said. “I think it’s a good thing to feel that way.”
While the Rams may have finally gotten back on the right track, there is no question that they still have plenty of work to do before they are a finished product. The onus will ultimately fall on McVay to help facilitate the process, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
Regardless, it is still encouraging to see Los Angeles respond the way teams with championship aspirations are supposed to when their backs are up against the wall. The experience they’re gaining through the ups and downs of a full season will undoubtedly pay huge dividends when it matters in the playoffs.
Now that the Rams have gotten past the most daunting part of their travel schedule, they will have a chance to pick up where they left off with a favorable matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
