Each weekday, theRams.com will be taking a look around the internet for the top Rams headlines of the day. Here's a look at what's out there for Monday, December 17th about your Los Angeles Rams.
WEEK 15 LESSONS LEARNED
On Monday, NFL.com's Around the NFL Staff focused on the Rams' struggling offense following L.A.'s 30-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
"Post-bye, Los Angeles has been a shadow of its former self on offense, averaging just 324 yards per game against Detroit, Chicago and Philadelphia. Jared Goff was an inaccurate turnover machine again on Sunday night, throwing two picks and regularly missing wide-open receivers. The Eagles swarmed the quarterback like the Bears did one week prior, sacking Goff just once but hitting him seven times and forcing a silly game-changing interception."
Quarterback Jared Goff has thrown six interceptions and no touchdowns in his last two games.
To view the full article, click here.
NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
Despite losing back-to-back games late in the season, the Rams still have the chance to clinch both a No. 1 seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, as well as a first-round bye. The Rams can clinch the bye by winning out, or with a win and Bears loss in Week 16.
Here's a look at the NFC playoff picture courtesy of Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith.
After the Rams' loss to the Eagles on Sunday night, they're now half a game behind the Saints, who own the head-to-head tiebreaker over them, for home-field advantage. And they're only a game ahead of the Bears, who also own the head-to-head tiebreaker over them, for the No. 2 seed and a bye week.
Here's how the playoff picture looks heading into Monday night:
1. Saints (11-2): Can move a full game ahead of the Rams by beating the Panthers tonight.
2. Rams (11-3): Two losses in a row at the wrong time.
3. Bears (10-4): Clinched the NFC North.
4. Cowboys (8-6): Their NFC East lead narrowed by a game.
5. Seahawks (8-6): Sunday's loss to the 49ers kept them from clinching.
6. Vikings (7-6-1): Put together their best game of the season on Sunday.
To view the entire playoff picture, click here.
A.D. IS KEY
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald went without a sack for the second straight game on Sunday night against the Eagles. Cameron DaSilva of USA Today points out that quiet games from Donald and Rams losses often go together.
WEEK 15 GRADE
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox said on Monday that poor gameplanning may have led to the Rams' third loss of the season and failing Week 15 grade. Here's part of what Knox said about the Rams following the club's first back-to-back losses under head coach Sean McVay.
"A poor game plan may have been part of the problem, as it was against the Bears. Though he ran well, Todd Gurley only got 12 carries. Goff passed 54 times. While it may not have seemed necessary to grind out a game to limit Nick Foles' opportunities, that's what the Rams should have done. Instead, the Eagles were able to take complete control in the second half, opening up a 17-point lead."
Week 15 Grade: F
Season Grade: A-
For all Week 15 grades, click here.