Rams come up with another stellar showing on defense
INGLEWOOD » The Carolina Panthers are reportedly listening to trade offers for star running back Christian McCaffrey and the Rams might be one of the interested teams, giving Sunday's matchup between the two teams a strange subplot.
But Rams inside linebacker Ernest Jones wasn't thinking about trade rumors when he tackled McCaffrey with a body slam in the opening quarter that resembled a suplex from pro wrestler Brock Lesnar. That memorable third-down stop set the tone for another stellar defensive performance for the Rams during their 24-10 victory against the Panthers at SoFi Stadium.
McCaffrey had a fast start with 58 yards on the Panthers' opening drive that ended with a 42-yard field goal for a 3-0 advantage. Those were the last points the Panthers offense scored.
“We knew they were going to give him the ball,” Rams middle linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “We didn't expect him to just run the ball. … That was their game plan and let a special player make special plays. We did a good job of not letting them get a touchdown.”
McCaffrey quickly showed why he's a special player, but the Rams held him to 70 total yards in the final three quarters. Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey also had a memorable tackle on McCaffrey when he stopped him in the open field. McCaffrey finished with 69 yards on 13 carries and 89 yards on nine receptions.
“I don't think he seen Jalen coming whatsoever and I don't think he had his feet on the ground before Jalen hit him, so that's a special play,” Wagner said.
The Rams defense held the Panthers to 203 total yards. Third-string Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker went 10 of 16 for 60 yards before exiting with a neck injury. Backup quarterback Jacob Eason threw an interception to Rams safety Nick Scott in the end zone in the fourth quarter to end the Rams' three-game drought without a takeaway. Jones, who finished with seven total tackles, tipped the ball before it found Scott.
Wagner said the defense has found a rhythm, but he wants his teammates to focus over the bye week on improving the run defense, tackling and generating defensive points to help the offense.
Depleted offensive line improves
Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein had a playersonly meeting with his fellow offensive linemen earlier in the week with hopes of reducing the mental mistakes on the field.
Although Havenstein wasn't happy about the penalties called on his unit, he was pleased about their overall performance, especially after losing left tackle Joe Noteboom to injury in the second quarter. The Rams fear Noteboom might have an Achilles injury.
Alaric Jackson moved from right guard to left tackle and Oday Aboushi filled Jackson's prior position.
“I loved our energy pregame,” Havenstein said. “The way we attacked the week. I thought our scout team defense, scout team offense really gave a good look. Guys were challenging each other, and it wasn't pretty on our side of the ball in practice. That's a good reminder, `OK, it's not gonna be easy, this stuff isn't easy, anyone could be doing it.'
“And like I said, we need to learn how to play a complete game, how to sustain drives. I can't flinch and put us back 5 yards. That's one of the dumbest things I could do, so I'll get that fixed. And guys just taking accountability of things that they can control and moving forward, getting back to work.”
Rams coach Sean McVay also was pleased with the offensive line, and gave third-string center Jeremiah Kolone praise for his performance.
“It's unbelievable,” McVay said about Noteboom's injury. “Isn't it? I feel sick for Joe Noteboom, but what a stud (Alaric) Jackson was to pivot from right guard to left tackle. He was outstanding all day. Oday Aboushi, I just met this guy a couple weeks ago and he's playing the whole game, doing a great job. ….
“Jeremiah Kolone going from the police academy a couple years ago to where he's starting at center.”
Stafford's pick-6 not an aggressive play
Matthew Stafford had better protection and improved his performance, but he threw his eighth interception of the season, a costly turnover that was returned 30 yards by Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson for a touchdown in the second quarter.
“Yeah, that was not an aggressive play today,” Stafford said about the interception. “I feel like a lot of them have not been this season and that's a frustrating part for me. I never want those to happen.
“(I) wish I would've just maybe dirted it at somebody's foot and I'm trying to get a little something going. But yeah, it's frustrating. It's something I don't I want to do, there's no question about that. It was definitely in my thought, was not an overaggressive thing. It was a tough play that happens in this game and got to move on from it.”