Rams' shortcomings exposed again by 49ers

Sep 21, 2017 - 7:49 PM THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams have suffered some devastating losses this year, but not created the sting, disappointment or anger of their 22-21 loss on Christmas Eve to the San Francisco 49ers.

Forget that it came against a bitter, long-time division rival. Or that the 49ers had only one win on the season coming into the game against, ironically enough, the Rams on the opening weekend of the season.

That was only part of the misery.

The Rams held their biggest lead of the season -- 14 points -- in the fourth quarter in the Los Angeles Coliseum in front of a festive holiday crowd that has experienced frustration and letdown all season.

And yet, with a chance to give the fans a small token, the Rams crumbled over the final five minutes to lose in spectacularly bitter fashion.

Colin Kaepernick ran in a touchdown, threw for another and then leaped into the end zone for a two-point conversion over the final 5:06 to plunge a dagger into the hearts of the Rams and their fans.

The 49ers exposed the Rams' inability to run the ball consistently, as they couldn't mount a prolonged drive late in the fourth quarter to run the clock and give their defense and breather.

It also showed again the defense's inability to close out games.

"We couldn't get enough first downs on offense in the third quarter and then we got the ball with a one-score lead with four minutes left in the game," Rams interim coach John Fassel said. "Then we go three-and-out, so we just can't get enough first downs on offense and I think that catches up to your defense in the last six minutes of the game, which I think is almost just like the situation against Miami. About six minutes left in the game, we got the ball inside the 50, we had a two-score lead, we couldn't make a first down, and then they start making chunks (of yardage) they converted to touchdowns.

"Let's face it, it comes down to a two-point conversion. We stop them, we're at hands team (for an onside kick), we get the ball and it's over. They get a two-point conversion, take a one-score lead and we return the kick to the 40-yard-line, twenty-five or so seconds left in the game, we've got three timeouts, we only needed 15 yards minimum (to set up a field goal attempt) and then we throw the interception."

In so many ways it was a microcosm of the Rams frustrating season, shedding poor light on the offensive woes, lack of discipline and overall talent deficiency.

Rookie quarterback Jared Goff is helpless playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league and with wide receivers among the most incapable in the league.

Second-year running back Todd Gurley has been negated to an afterthought for the same reasons after producing an NFL Rookie of the Year season in 2015.

And a defense that's played well for the most part ultimately gets exposed by playing too many snaps thanks to a morbid offense.

With one week left in the season, the Rams can't possibly address any of those issues, let alone all of them. Which sets up a critical offseason in which they must find a new head coach and upgrade the talent across the offensive board.

None of which figures to be easy.



REPORT CARD VS. 49ers

PASSING OFFENSE: D -- Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 90 yards on 11 of 24 passing with a touchdown and two interceptions. His quarterback rating was a dismal 35.1. In his defense, he was sacked four times and hit an additional eight times by a 49ers defense that hasn't been that good this season. So while Goff struggled, he got very little help from the rest of the offense. Again.

RUSHING OFFENSE: D-minus -- RB Todd Gurley seemed in line to finally have a breakout game considering the difficulties the 49ers have had stopping the run. Instead, he ran for only 67 yards on 23 carries for a lowly 2.9 per carry average. Worse, when the Rams absolutely needed to the run the ball to move the chains and run some clock late in the game, but they were incapable of doing that.

PASS DEFENSE: D -- The Rams allowed San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick to pass for 266 and two touchdowns, much of which came in the final quarter, when the 49ers marched down the field for two touchdowns to notch a 22-21 victory. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise solid performance for the defense.

RUSH DEFENSE: B -- The Rams bottled up the 49ers' running game, limiting Carlos Hyde to 38 yards on 13 carries and allowing only 70 total yards on 29 carries.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B -- Punter Johnny Hekker averaged 46 yards on eight punts to continue his Pro Bowl season. Meanwhile, rookie Pharoh Cooper returned four kickoffs for 129 yards to help get the Rams in decent field position.

COACHING: C -- This should have been an A, with the Rams controlling the game, the tempo and the scoreboard into the fourth quarter. But the Rams' inability to create sustained offensive drives late in the game -- specifically with the run -- meant putting pressure on the defense. And, as has been the case all too often, the defense ultimately collapsed late in the game. That comes down to coaching, preparation and game planning.