Los Angeles Rams: Three standouts from Week 1 vs. Carolina Panthers
The Los Angeles Rams began this season the same way they have started every year with Sean McVay: in the win column.
The Los Angeles Rams traveled to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers this weekend and came out with a win. They looked good to me, and it seems like they are ready to put last season behind them to contend for another chance at the Super Bowl.
The Panthers finished the game with 27 points but it was mainly on the ground. Christian McCaffrey ran all over the Rams — finishing with 128 rushing yards on 19 carries and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 81 receiving yards on 10 catches.
Cam Newton threw for 239 yards on 38 attempts but had one interception and fumbled.
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On the other side, Jared Goff threw for 186 yards on 39 attempts and had one touchdown with one interception.
The Rams’ star running back Todd Gurley had 97 rushing yards on 14 carries. He struggled early but found his touch in the second half.
The receiving trio for the Rams — Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp — split the load and made up for most of Goff’s yards, but the sole receiving touchdown went to tight end, Tyler Higbee.
There are three things that stood out to me more than anything else from that Sunday morning game. I’ll go backwards to save the best for last.
3. Linebacker Cory Littleton
The defense played solid in some respects but was unable to stop McCaffrey from running wild. Littleton, by himself, was a force to be reckoned with. He had a fumble recovery, an interception and 14 total tackles. Without his performance, the team probably wouldn’t have won.
Though Littleton gets my recognition in this article, the defensive unit stepped up overall while Aaron Donald was being double-teamed. Samson Ebukam recovered a fumble, Dante Fowler Jr. had two sacks, Clay Matthews had a sack and John Johnson had 11 total tackles.
The defensive mistakes that happened are definitely something they have to work on for Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints — and moving forward for that matter. The Saints are a powerhouse that puts up a lot of points from every angle.
The running back duo of Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray put up 140 yards on Houston in Week 1 and they are probably going to use McCaffrey’s strategy to put up more against the Rams. I mean, let’s not forget, the Saints are still pretty pissed about the NFC Championship game.
2. Running back Malcolm Brown
Gurley is still the man, and he’s still going to play most of the downs, but it would be in the Los Angeles Rams’ best interest to take advantage of Brown’s ability to step up when they need him. He put up 53 rushing yards on 11 carries and had two rushing touchdowns in Week 1.
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. It would be even better to still have C.J. Anderson as Gurley’s backup, but he’s on the Detroit Lions now. Let it go.
I’m going to be the one to say it: Gurley is a question mark. He is an amazing back, but he isn’t the same as he used to be. There’s something people aren’t telling us. And truthfully, I want answers. I want the Rams, or Gurley, to come clean and admit that he isn’t 100 percent just yet.
In the meantime, the Saints will plan for Gurley to start at running back and play most of the downs. But if the Rams use Gurley the same way in the first half of the Saints’ game as they did against the Panthers, the Saints are going to adjust quickly. The running game needs to be deadly in Week 2, and if Gurley can’t do it, give Brown the ball.
1. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp
It looks like Kupp might be Goff’s most reliable receiver. Goff went to him early and often in the first quarter and it shows that Kupp was missed. He finished the game with 46 yards on 7 receptions.
Kupp went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 10 last season and it was a big blow to the Rams’ offensive playbook. The Rams could’ve had a better chance at winning the Super Bowl if he was healthy, but no one will know for sure. He was a big part of the team last season and having him back this season gives the Rams a lot of options.
The Saints’ defense gave up 268 passing yards and 180 rushing yards as well as three touchdowns in the air in Week 1 against the Houston Texans.
As the Texans did, the Rams will be set up with three receivers that can all be deep threats. The Saints’ defensive backs have their hands full again, and this time the game won’t come down to Greg Zuerlein in overtime.
Head coach Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams have a lot to prove this season, especially after getting schooled by Belichick and Brady in the big game. I think the Rams have a good chance at getting to the Super Bowl again, but they have to get through some tough opponents first.
Next. The good, bad and ugly vs. the Panthers. dark
Week 2 will be their first real test of the season.