Perspective crumbles in Los Angeles Rams’ feckless Week 10 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers

So it was. The Los Angeles Rams lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10, 12-17. Let’s get into the perspective outlook now that the Rams are 5-4.

Injuries

If the performance by the offensive line weren’t bad enough, things might have gotten worse here with knee injuries to C Brian Allen and RT Rob Havenstein. We’ll likely get updates later today from Head Coach Sean McVay, but if they’re severe we may just have to wait for more information and or medical opinions.

CB Darious Williams, who had some spot duties to rotate with CB Troy Hill, also had to leave with an ankle injury.

Performance Issues

Yeah. Yeah just a bit.

And what’s troubling is that it’s more than the offensive line. Yes, they were very bad yesterday. But QB Jared Goff hardly made the most of it. Rams Head Coach Sean McVay didn’t scheme much for Goff to do in a quick-passing offense that would have limited the effectiveness of Pittsburgh’s pass rush. And strangely enough, RB Todd Gurley didn’t even touch the ball in the fourth quarter on a day where he was running well and the line was giving him some space.

It hurts especially because the defense was so spectacular. They shut down the run and the Steelers never found much to go off of in the passing game. They tried to go after CB Troy Hill early, but he held up well in coverage despite some early ball skill issues. They never found another avenue of attack.

Standings

Sigh.

The good thing is that there’s definitely a window for the Rams to the playoffs. You’ve got four teams who are 5-4 along with the 4-5-1 Chicago Bears looking at that last spot. That’s a lot of teams angling for a single spot, but it’s the one the Rams could feasibly contend for especially with the Bears and Dallas Cowboys left on the Rams’ schedule.

But things certainly look dimmer after the loss in the Steel City.