We've cooled down, or reconciled our fate, following the St. Louis Rams fourth consecutive loss last week to the Washington Redskins. I have a hard time looking back to that game and finding much to be positive about. Fortunately, a few individual performances stood out this week. I'm giving this week's game ball to Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis. 

The defense did a better job this week, notably in coverage, holding Washington to 17 points. If a pitcher in baseball can hold an opponent to four runs, their offense can keep them in it. A similar rule applies with a defense in the National Football League. 

Laurinaitis finished the game with seven total tackles, five solo and two assists. His most notable play was a fourth quarter turnover. The Rams had just scored to cut the Rams' deficit to a single touchdown. You can't ask for a better play from your defense. Unfortunately, the Rams offense responded with an illegal shift penalty and two consecutive sacks to kill the drive, effectively killing any chance the Rams had for rally. 

For those of you that will ask, yes, I made an editorial decision to give the game ball to a Rams player this week, even though I probably should have given it to Torian or someone like that.