Rams offense never got going against Bears
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) at Soldier Field.
Gloomy Mondays have been few and far between for the Los Angeles Rams this season.
For just the second time Rams coach Sean McVay found himself looking back on a loss after the Rams (11-2) were shut down at chilly Soldier Field Sunday night.
The Rams missed a chance to secure a first-round playoff bye and are tied with New Orleans for home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. The Saints hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their win over the Rams, who saw their three-game winning streak end.
Chicago's defense held Los Angeles to two field goals in the 15-6 win. Rams quarterback Jared Goff threw a career-high four interceptions and was sacked three times while completing 20 of 44 passes for 180 yards.
"I think, again, there were some great throws that he made in that game yesterday and then there were certainly a handful of situations where he was put in tough spots," McVay told reporters on Monday. "Then, they made some great plays, where they're getting some pressure, forcing some things.
"I thought they made some great plays to be able to get the ball back for their offense. But, to say that it's as easy to throw it in those conditions, I don't think would be accurate, but I don't think that's the reason why we didn't play as well offensively."
Despite the conditions and the score, running back Todd Gurley ran for a season-low 28 yards on 11 carries. The Rams had just 214 yards on offense.
"Really, it was a result -- we didn't have a lot of plays. Didn't really get any sort of continuity, any sort of rhythm going on any of our drives," McVay said. "Even when we were able to sustain the long drive and kick the field goal, really, you're kind of fighting back-and-forth between getting into some second-and-longs where you're usually accustomed to throwing it."
The Rams losses have come in New Orleans and Chicago, two places they could end up playing in the post season. Given those scenarios, McVay was asked if it becomes all the more vital to secure home-field advantage.
"I wouldn't say that. I think each game presents a new narrative and really, for us, it's about why did we not get it done in New Orleans? Why did we feel like we didn't get it done last night in Chicago and how can we move forward accordingly?" he said. "(But) to say that you wouldn't want to have the ability to stay at home and play, that wouldn't be accurate."
--QB Jared Goff has completed just 37 of 77 passes for one touchdown and two interceptions in his past two starts, a win over Detroit and a loss to Chicago. His quarterback ratings for the to games were 68.6 and 19.1.
--RB Todd Gurley carried 11 times for 28 yards against the Bears, a season-low for carries and yards.
--WR Robert Woods had seven catches for 61 yards against the Bears.
--P Johnny Hekker averaged 48.7 yards on three punts in the loss to the Bears. He also completed a seven-yard pass on a fake punt to extend a drive.
--K Greg Zuerlein made 2 of 3 field goals in the loss to the Bears, but missed from 40 yards.
Recent Stories
Rams hard at work despite earning bye
The Los Angeles Rams will continue to stay hard at work despite earning a bye through the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
Players will continue to visit the ...
Packers' lost season includes losing Rodgers to concussion
Green Bay's 6-9-1 season ended with Aaron Rodgers getting knocked out of Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Detroit Lions with a concussion. That was dubious and fitting ...
49ers will retain defensive coordinator Saleh
The San Francisco 49ers gave up a lot of points and did not force many turnovers, but Robert Saleh will return for his third season as the 49ers' defensive coordinator, ...
GM Licht says Winston is Bucs' quarterback
Dirk Koetter was fired as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach on Sunday, but his quarterback will be staying.
General manager Jason Licht, who will lead the search ...
Chargers get another chance against Ravens
The Los Angeles Chargers didn't have to wait long for a chance to avenge their Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Los Angeles was shut down by Baltimore's stout ...
Latest Player Notes
How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ...
Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day
Mar 15, 2024
Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ...
How can UW recruit its best class ever? It starts with these five prospects
By Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
Jedd Fisch has lofty recruiting goals at Washington. He didn’t waste any ...
Texas football kicks off spring practice Tuesday. We answer 24 questions for the 2024 team
Things certainly look fresh for the 2024 college football season, especially on the Texas campus.There’s a new conference ...
College Football Playoff: Conferences solve their differences (for now) and agree on general framework for 2026 and beyond
The FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed on Friday to continue the College Football Playoff beyond the 2025 season, signing ...
Ball security, leadership key as Aztecs look to identify starting quarterback
San Diego State seemingly auditions a new starting quarterback on an annual basis.In the past 12 years, the Aztecs have opened ...
Results and more: A look at what happened at Penn State football’s Pro Day inside Holuba Hall
Most of those at Penn State’s Pro Day Friday were relatively quiet throughout the afternoon’s workouts, but there was one ...
Defense dominates first two weeks of Oregon State spring practice as Beavers ready for 2-week breather
CORVALLIS – Oregon State hit the break of spring practices Saturday, not exactly the midpoint but a good place to assess ...
Dillon Gabriel to have similar input, autonomy as Bo Nix had in Oregon’s offense
Published Mar. 16, 2024, 6:26 p.m.By James CrepeaEUGENE — Dillon Gabriel will have much of the same autonomy as Bo Nix did ...
Two transfers, one underclassman who impressed in Missouri football's spring game
With that, spring camp’s a wrap.Missouri football held its Black & Gold spring game Saturday in front of a healthy crowd ...