Overview
- The Rams lost 18-16 to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, dropping to 2-4 and to the bottom of the NFC West after a string of close defeats to top opponents.
- Matthew Stafford’s efficiency has declined this season with a fall in Total QBR, lower deep-yardage per attempt and more interceptions, a trend analysts say is hurting the offense’s finishing ability.
- The offense is stalling on drives, scoring on only about 35% of possessions while often starting deep in its own territory, and the once-productive three–tight-end (13-personnel) package has fallen from 0.22 to 0.03 EPA per play.
- The expected pass-rush boost has not arrived because Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald have had limited availability and the team has generated just eight sacks with a below-average sack rate.
- Special teams remain a major weakness with a 60% field-goal rate and poor net punting, and critics say visible coaching and locker-room strain plus the narrow path back in a 17-game season increase the stakes for quick fixes.