The Los Angeles Rams were on bye this past week and it came at a good time as the team needed to evaluate their play through the first half of the 2020 season.
The Rams started off the season well on both sides of the field, routinely stringing together consecutive scoring drives while suffocating opposing teams defensively. However, the offense has taken steps back in recent weeks, particularly in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins where Jared Goff was responsible for the team’s four turnovers.
Sean McVay was not pleased with the team’s focus and execution and for good reason. Los Angeles has flashed excellence in each game but has been unable to sustain that level of success for a full four quarters.
However, the Rams did receive help in Week 9 as the rest of the NFC West went winless. According to Greg Beachem of the Associated Press, McVay did not complain about the results but did note he is only concerned about his roster:
Sean McVay after the NFC West went 0-3 on the Rams' bye week: "I certainly wasn't upset to see those teams not come away with wins, but if we handle our business, we don't have to get into the business of watching other teams."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) November 9, 2020
The Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and San Francisco 49ers all suffered defeats that allowed the Rams to remain in the race to win the NFC West despite their recent struggles. Seattle is currently in the lead at 6-2, leaving Arizona and Los Angeles tied for second.
The 49ers have been snakebitten by injuries as Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle were recently placed on IR, presumably ending their shot at a playoff berth. The Rams play them one more time but also are slated to play the Seahawks and Cardinals twice each in the coming weeks.
With so many divisional matchups left in the schedule, there is no telling who will win the gauntlet that is the NFC West. It has easily been the most competitive division in football, but the Rams have managed to keep pace so far. They will need to play their best football in the latter half of the season if they want to return to the postseason and prove they are a Super Bowl contender.
