Right when people started to believe in the Los Angeles Rams, they delivered one of their worst performances of the season. After winning two in a row to get to 8-5, the Rams went to Dallas and fell behind immediately. The final score was 44-21 in favor of the Cowboys, but even that score felt too close. Somehow, the Rams are still alive for the playoffs.
At 8-6, the Rams need to win out and have the 10-4 Minnesota Vikings lose their final two games. Yes, the chances are slim. Especially when seeing that the Rams have to play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. For the Rams to win this game, they will need to do what they should have been doing all season. That is to get Todd Gurley going early and often.
Sean McVay suffered his first hiccup as a coach this season when he became too pass happy with his overrated quarterback. Jared Goff went though a tough midseason stretch where he looked like he used to under Jeff Fisher. Against the 49ers and their all world defense, Goff cannot be trusted. It is time to feed Gurley in hopes of keeping their season alive.
Gurley Needs to Go Off Against SF
This is not a maybe. This is a must. There is no coincidence that prior to the Dallas game, the Rams' offense was clicking with Gurley producing. They scored 62 points over those two wins and Gurley finished with 174 yards and two touchdowns. He carried the ball 42 times.
The 49ers are one of the best defenses in the league. The Rams cannot afford to go three-and-out at a high rate and stop the clock with incomplete passes. Los Angeles wants Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense on the sideline as much as possible. Establishing the run accomplishes that goal and it wears down the defense.
The Niners have allowed 154.4 yards per game through the air, which leads the league. They are currently second in the NFL in total defense. Nick Bosa has led a charge of pass rushers who love to get to the quarterback.
What can Gurley do? He can run the ball effectively, move the chains, and tire out one of the top defensive units in the league. McVay needs to come up with an offensive game plan that will confuse San Francisco. Even after the Dallas debacle in the most important game of the season to date, Los Angeles is still alive. This is the new most important game for the Rams and they cannot afford to duplicate their performance from Week 15.
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