FanPost

Your Monday Morning Dose of Reality

Alas, there was gold in Santa Clara all along! Yep, I’ll be the first to admit I hadn’t pegged this as the most winnable game in light of last week’s contest, but here we are! Y’all know I’d much rather be talking us down from cloud nine rather than lifting us from the pits of despair, right?!

Before I find something to take issue with, I have to recognize the performance of the defense. They were truly playing like stars yesterday, and it felt somewhat vindicating given the inconsistent play as compared to our lofty preseason fantasies. We more than doubled our sack total for the season, which means that we can expect 12-16 sacks next week. Go to nfl.com and watch the video of all 8 sacks. This is what the defensive line was supposed to be doing. If Aaron Donald isn’t in the mix for Defensive Rookie of the Year, then I want nothing to do with it. Robert Quinn, who really had me worried earlier this season, patted me gently on the head and told me, "Ross, I told you there was nothing to worry about". Two sacks, a forced fumble, and an amusingly impressive tackle in pass coverage for the young man.

There’s a lot I could say about the performance of the defense, but there are about just as many things I can say about the offense. Your 2014 St. Louis Rams are like an awkward teenage couple attempting to slow dance at prom. One side takes a step forward, while the other stumbles backward on the heels she’s wearing for the first time. Next, one takes an aggressive step forward while the other falls backwards over his rented penny loafers… Well, enough about my memories of prom, anyway.

The point is that the Rams have entrenched themselves atop the WTF power rankings of professional football. For all the championship-caliber defense showcased Sunday afternoon, there was nearly as much offensive ineptitude. Austin Davis was lost. Both of his interceptions were terrible decisions. He finished the day with just over 100 yards, a score, and the two picks. As far as I know, Zac Stacy never saw the field, which had me double-checking that we hadn’t traded him. Tavon Austin, who had one okay punt return and one good one that got called back on some very shady refereeing, was once again totally forgettable on offense (11 receiving yards, 7 rushing yards) for a player who cost this team as much as he did. He also very nearly gave the 49ers the most improbable and unnecessary safeties imaginable - the same kind of momentum-shifting play at the end of the first half that sent the 49ers to victory just weeks ago.

What does this kind of disjointed, disparate play amount to? A pair of blowout losses, several all-over the place losses that could have been wins, and THREE wins which ALL ended with confusing plays that had to be reviewed many times in slow-motion or explained by someone with extensive knowledge of the rules in order for fans to understand. So please excuse me while I punch myself in the chest to restart my heart. Hope your week goes well, Rams fans.