Los Angeles Rams Preseason: 3 Takeaways vs Chargers
Not only did the Los Angeles Rams suffer their first defeat in the Sean McVay era, but the Jared Goff progress report took on a negative connotation
The Los Angeles Rams went into their third preseason game hoping for a glowing Jared Goff progress report. That did not materialize. The Los Angeles Chargers scored 14 points off two Goff turnovers and used that to hold off the Rams 21-19 on Saturday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Philip Rivers completed all six of his passes for 85 yards and touchdown as the newer Los Angeles team bolted out to a 21-0 lead. While the Rams defense did not look strong, it didn’t look as weak as the score indicated. None of the Rams starters on defense played. Also, the Chargers scored a defensive touchdown, helping to give the defense an incomplete grade.
Defensive back Dominique Hatfield took a pass away from Chargers die receiver Travis Benjamin for the big Rams play on defense.
That leaves three takeaways to analyze on the Rams offense.
3. The offensive line showed continued improvement
The biggest bright spot headed into the regular season is the play of the offensive line. For the most part, it protected Goff and backup Sean Mannion as well as it did last week against the Oakland Raiders.
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The starters kept Goff clean for much of the evening. But the most impressive effort came on Goff’s fumble at the Chargers 7-yard line in the first quarter. Melvin Ingram scooped up the ball and ran the ball back for the score. The impressive part came when left tackle Andrew Whitworth hustled the entire play, chasing Ingram into the end zone. Whitworth was not going to catch Ingram, but he showed effort that should rub off on his teammates.
Malcolm Brown, who started in place of held-out Todd Gurley, rushed for 44 yards on nine carries. The Rams will have an improved running game.
The big difference from a week ago is that the backups played much better as well. The second unit protected Mannion enough to let him get in a rhythm. After a 3-for-11 stretch, Mannion completed 9-of-11 passes. The second-team offense put the Rams in position to win. Backup kicker Travis Coons, however, missed a 33-yard chip shot midway through the fourth quarter that would have given the Rams the lead.
As an aside, Brown solidified his grip on the backup role to Gurley.