Offense branches out to Woods
Rams receiver reemerges as a force after he was relegated to a low-profile role in first four games.
The Rams’ record improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the NFC West with a 26-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Here’s what we learned from the Rams’ victory:
Robert Woods still plays for the Rams: Yes, just after the start of the 2020 season, Woods signed a four-year extension that included $32 million in guarantees. He was an integral player in Sean McVay’s offense for four seasons.
But through the first four games of 2021, Woods was largely a role player. A low-profile and not entirely satisfied one.
Woods, a team captain, would never complain publicly. But he initiated a chat with McVay.
That Woods was targeted 14 times and caught 12 passes for 150 yards was not a coincidence. And it makes the Rams offense more diverse.
Darrell Henderson and Sony Michel form a good combo: It sometimes seems as if McVay cannot help himself. He’s got a quarterback with crazy arm talent, experience and poise — so he leans toward pass plays. Totally understandable.
But the Seahawks entered the game as the NFL’s worst rushing defense. And Henderson was off to a productive start.
At one point McVay called nine consecutive passes, including one that resulted in an interception.
When he called on Henderson and Michel, they produced.
Henderson rushed for 82
yards and a touchdown in 17 carries.
Michel ran for 37 yards and a touchdown in 11 carries.
Robert Rochell could be a player to watch:
Rochell, a fourth-round draft pick from Central Arkansas, started in place of David Long, who struggled last week in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
There are easier assignments than starting for the first time against a Seahawks team featuring seven-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson, receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett and tight end Will
Dissly.
Wilson and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, a former Rams assistant, went after Rochell and took advantage of his inexperience on several important plays.
But the 6-foot-2 Rochell also made a few plays.
Losing Darious Williams would be a major blow:
OK, we didn’t necessarily learn this in the game, but when Williams was assisted off the field by trainers because of an ankle injury — and did not return — it raised the specter of the Rams possibly playing a few games
without him.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is the star, but Williams helps enable him to flourish. If Williams is sidelined, that means Ramsey will be playing with Rochell, Long and, possibly, Terrell Burgess.
Matt Gay needs to be more consistent:
Start with kickoffs. Two bounced out of bounds, giving the Seahawks the ball at the 40-yard line. Gay also missed an extra-point attempt that bounced off the right upright.
But Gay came through with two field goals, including one with 24 seconds left.