‘Kings of Road’ Rams seeking home warmth
Dazzling Los Angeles face Houston Texans
>> LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Rams will aim to tighten their grip on a playoff berth tonight as they return to California after an unbeaten month-long stint on the road.
The Rams face the Houston Texans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum after a run of dazzling away displays that have seen them surge to the top of the NFC West.
Last Sunday’s 51-17 demolition of the New York Giants was just the latest in a remarkable sequence of results for the Rams, who have not lost a game on their travels this season.
The only two defeats in a 6-2 record have come at the Coliseum, underscoring the remarkable transformation the team has undergone since last season, when they finished 4-12.
The catalyst for change has been the arrival of new head coach Sean McVay, who at just 30 years old was the youngest head coach in NFL history when named to the job in January.
McVay has turned the worst offence in the NFL into the most potent, helping Jared Goff emerge as an authentic franchise quarterback while revitalising the form of running back Todd Gurley after a disappointing 2016.
The statistics tell the story. Last season the Rams averaged just 14 points per game; this year they lead the NFL with 32.9 points per game.
Goff has been pivotal in that transformation. A wretched rookie season saw him throw more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (five), fuelling gleeful speculation that the Rams’ No.1 pick may turn out to be a bust.
McVay however says he never doubted that Goff, 23, had the talent — and the temperament — to prove the critics wrong.
“I got a chance to spend a little bit of time with him when I was actually interviewing for the job and you come away confident just with his demeanour, his disposition, the fact that he doesn’t make any excuses for what happened that rookie year, takes full accountability,” McVay said. “I think those are good traits that you’re looking for from your leader.”
Goff, who was named player of the week following his display in the Giants rout, said the team were taking the plaudits in their stride.
“We were the worst team ever last year and now everyone loves us,” he remarked.
“It doesn’t make any difference to us. We’re 6-2 at the halfway point and happy about a lot of things we’ve done so far, but a lot of work to do.”
The Rams are one of three 6-2 NFC teams in action this weekend.
The New Orleans Saints travel to the Buffalo Bills hoping to extend their lead in the NFC South while the Minnesota Vikings travel to Washington aiming to maintain their buffer in the NFC North.
With the 8-1 Philadelphia Eagles enjoying a bye week, the Dallas Cowboys (5-3) face a tricky trip to the Atlanta Falcons hoping to stay in the hunt in the NFC East.
The AFC meanwhile has developed a familiar look about it as the second half of the regular season gets underway.
The reigning Super Bowl champions New England Patriots head the AFC East with a 6-2 record while Pittsburgh Steelers, who are also 6-2, lead the North.
The Patriots head to Colorado to face 2015-2016 Super Bowl champions Denver, with the Broncos desperate to halt a four-game losing streak which has seen them fall to 3-5, propping up the AFC West.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, however, is advising caution against a Broncos defence that roughed him up at the same venue in their January 2016 AFC Championship meeting.
“There’s little margin for error when you go out there,” Brady warned.
“They have a great defence. They have great players on both sides of the ball. You can’t go out there and make a bunch of mistakes and expect to win.”