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After losing 21-49 to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11, the 2016 Los Angeles Rams are sitting at 4-7 with trips to New England and Seattle sandwiching a home clash with the Atlanta Falcons in two weeks. Not a great outlook for a team that has won one of its last seven games.
As for the power rankings, the Rams were in between 25th and 27th among all seven major rankings last week. There’s not much room below them to fall. Does the defensive failure from Sunday push the Rams deeper down the ladder?
| Average ranking (# of rankings) | 26.86 (7) |
| Average change from last week | -0.14 |
| Highest ranking (source) | 26th (multiple sources) |
| Lowest ranking (source) | 28th (Yahoo! Sports) |
| Biggest positive change (source) | 0 (multiple sources) |
| Biggest negative change (source) | -1 (Yahoo! Sports) |
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SB Nation: 27th (27th last week)
Against the Saints, rookie QB Jared Goff's three touchdowns in the first half -- the first Rams quarterback to do that since Sam Bradford in 2010 -- were good. His throwing only 47 yards and a pick in a scoreless second half was bad. The Rams will need a lot more of the "good" to topple the Patriots this week.
Taking on the Saints' offense in New Orleans is a tough assignment, even for a fantastic unit like the Rams' defense. But to give up 49 points?! For an idea of how out-of-character that is, consider that Los Angeles had allowed a total of 50 points in the team's previous four games combined. And seven of those points weren't even on the defense, coming via a Landon Collins pick-six in the London loss to the Giants. As if Rams fans needed to be reminded. RE: Jared Goff ... Thought the rookie acquitted himself fairly well, especially the part where he tossed three touchdown passes (in only his second NFL start)
CBS Sports: 27th (27th)
Jared Goff did some really good things against the Saints. That gives them hope for the future.
Yahoo! Sports: 28th (27th)
I’m skeptical about Jared Goff, but he made some big-time throws against the Saints. Sure, it’s just against the Saints’ defense, but you have to start somewhere. And if he continues to play well, we can all wonder why Jeff Fisher wasted nine games with Case Keenum.
Pro Football Talk: 27th (27th)
Given the scrap with Eric Dickerson, they’re actually 4-8.
FOX Sports: 26th (26th)
Jared Goff had his best game as a pro, and although that’s not saying much – he’s started two games – it was good for his confidence. Unfortunately, he’s done little to help the Rams’ best player, struggling running back Todd Gurley. Jeff Fisher is well on his way to a sub-.500 season, and the Rams would be foolish to give him an extension.