1st Quarter Season Review: Los Angeles Rams

By Darnell Sallins

The 2021 NFL Season is four games in and the Los Angeles Rams sit amongst the top teams in the NFC and NFL. The NFL wanted to see what the new look Rams would look like with Matthew Stafford as the man at quarterback replacing Jared Goff. Matthew Stafford through four games has not disappointed overall.

Let's review the first four games of the season.

Sunday Night vs. Chicago Bears

Opening night with one most the most anticipated debut of the season as Matthew Stafford's Ram debut was against a familiar foe in the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. What a debut it was on national television as Stafford and the Rams offense looked explosive and the Bears could not keep up with Andy Dalton as the starter QB. The Rams would win 34-14 where nothing could go wrong for the LA Rams.

Stafford went 20-26, 321 yards, 3 touchdowns with a Quarterback Rating of 92.8. Cooper Kupp, Stafford's main target for receivers had 7 catches on 10 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown. Van Jefferson who started the explosion with a 75-yard touchdown catch from Stafford that opened the scoring.

The defense who was coming off an number one ranking last season was looking to keep that going despite major losses on that side of the ball that included a new defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris. Andy Dalton looked relatively good going 27-38, 206 yards, no touchdowns, one interception. Dalton was sacked three times. Main concern is the rushing defense as last season the Rams' defense didn't allow a lot of 100-yard rushers but opening night, David Montgomery went for 108 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown.

At the end, Rams' offense was just too explosive for the Bears led by Matthew Stafford who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week in the NFL for Week One.

Week 2 @ Indianapolis Colts

Great opening week at home, but the Rams hit the road to face a tough Indianapolis Colts who is replacing Philip Rivers (retirement) with Carsen Wentz who is trying to resurrect his NFL career. Tough matchup for both teams on paper and it show in this game it was a back and forth game.

Stafford and the offensive was not as explosive against the Colts and had struggles with the Colts defense.

Stafford was 19-30, 278 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. This game however became the Cooper Kupp show. Kupp had nine catches for 163 yards, and both touchdowns from Stafford.

The defense on the other hand was bend but don't break. Carsen Wentz was able to move the ball down the field on the Rams but did not finish the game after being sacked by Aaron Donald in the fourth quarter, one of three sacks for the Rams. Then Jalen Ramsey made his presence known when Jacob Eason came in for the injured Wentz and picked him off to sealed the game and move the Rams to 2-0 on the season.

Week 3 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 3...…..

Week 3 in Los Angeles.

Game of the Week in the NFL.

The reigning, defending, Super Bowl Champs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers led by the GOAT, Tom Brady at SoFi to face Matthew Stafford and the LA Rams. A NFC Championship preview in most people eyes as both teams came in 2-0. The game didn't play out that way. No Antonio Brown(COVID), no Jason Pierre-Paul(injury), and a banged up secondary, the Super Bowl Champs was outmatched by the team looking to do the same thing the Bucs did last season.

The offensive looking explosive at home yet again. Matthew Stafford was 27-38, 343 yards, four touchdowns while the GOAT Tom Brady was 41-55, 432 yards, one touchdown with a rushing touchdown. Stafford outdueled Tom Brady. Cooper Kupp nine catches, 96 yards, two touchdowns, but what was the more memorable moment was seeing DeSean Jackson as a Rams. Jackson had three catches for 120 yards (40 yards per catch) with a 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter to blew the game open for the Rams.

The LA Rams move to 3-0 on the season and Matthew Stafford earns his second NFC Offensive Player of the Week award.

Week vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 4 was NFC West showdown between unbeaten teams.

Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals coming into SoFi Stadium at 3-0 and looking just as explosive on offense as the LA Rams also 3-0.

This game was more the Arizona Cardinals before the game because people wanted to know if the Cardinals are for real. Have Kingsbury and Murray finally hit their stride in year three together? If so, this is the game to showcase it as it's against one of the top and favorites in the NFC and NFL.

After this game was done, the Arizona Cardinals was still the talk and rightfully so. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals' offense showed their explosive on full display both passing and rushing. Murray went 24-32, 268 yards, two touchdown. The Cardinals rushing attack was more impressive going for 216 yards on the ground and controlling the game.

It was a bad day at the for LA Rams. Defense getting shredded in both the pass and the run. Offense wasn't explosive as Stafford was 26-41, 280 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Van Jefferson led the receiving crew with six catches, 90 yards, and a touchdown. Kupp was held in checked with five catches for 64 yards. The Cardinals defense forced tow turnovers on the Rams that blew the game open and the Rams couldn't recover.

The Los Angeles Rams sit at 3-1 after that disappointing lost to the Cardinals, but they have a quick turnaround as they head to Seattle tomorrow night with showdown with Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. The next three games after that the schedule should be favorable for the Rams .

Next Four Games:

• Tomorrow Night @ Seattle

• Sunday 10/17 @ NY Giants

• Sunday 10/24 vs. Detroit (Jared Goff's Return)

• Sunday 10/31 @ Houston