Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks: Report card offers solid grades despite loss

(British voice)

A proper match, lads. Los Angeles Rams 29, Seattle Seahawks 30. Right, innit?

(back to me)

Sigh.

Quarterback

B+

Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

QB Jared Goff wasn’t bad tonight. He finished 29/49 and had to fight through some schematic issues early on, but came up big in pressured possessions at the end of both halves. The interception wasn’t his fault at all, and he might have picked up a second touchdown if the refs rule TE Gerald Everett in on his long reception. If K Greg Zuerlein makes that kick at the end, a lot of Goff critics fall silent on Monday.

Running back

C-

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

The fumble hurts RB Todd Gurley’s grade here. Otherwise with 51 yards on 15 carries, it was a relatively normal game...which certainly seems abnormal after what happened last Sunday! More to come over the next nine days as we unpack what it means for Gurley to have picked up 15 carries while RB Malcolm Brown had just one and rookie RB Darrell Henderson, Jr., was yet again sidelined.

Wide receiver

A

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Kupp is going to find some open space, Woods is going to make an astounding block, and Cooks is going to stretch the field as he attempts to take one to the house.

The best unit on the team through five games. Tonight reminded us why.

Here’s hoping WR Brandin Cooks is ok.

Tight end

A+

Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

YOUNG GERALD!!!

Offensive line

B-

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Thankfully, we got the bounceback from the horrorscape against the Bucs. The Seahawks didn’t log a single sack, and Goff had enough room for his sneaky good pocket management. The run blocking wasn’t great though and will need to improve especially if the Rams back up off of Gurley in the weeks ahead.

Defensive line

B-

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Level of difficulty here was HIGH dealing with Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, RB Chris Carson and their improved offensive line even once OL D.J. Fluker went down. Still, they needed to do more in run support. DL Morgan Fox looks to be a legitimate component moving forward.

Linebackers

B+

Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

UDFA rookie ILB Troy Reeder stepped in for the injured ILB Bryce Hager and looked...not bad! Reeder and LB Cory Littleton combined for a solid duo in the middle dealing with Wilson’s elusiveness and Carson with solid competence given how easily Carson broke through the line battle.

Defensive backs

C-

Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Was torn between a C- and a D+ plus here. Wilson was 17/23. Hard to credit this group for a ton, but again this matchup was tough. They should (need to) bounce back next week.

Special teams

Coaching

A

Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Think McVay didn’t want to respond to Gurley’s five carries in Week 4?

Gurley got fed. The Rams managed the late first half situation perfectly. They managed the second half situation perfectly. The timeouts were maintained to be used to set things up perfectly. Everything was managed well. If GZ nails his kick, we’re framing things in a very specific way...that we can still do despite the missed kick.

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I’m not blaming GZ, but the missed kick deprived us of the catharsis of the performance we needed. From Goff. From Gurley. From McVay.

It’s hard.

But the grades should reflect that the Rams were up to the challenge even if they came just, just, just short.