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2019 NFL Power Rankings Summary - Week 14
| Metric | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Metric | Ranking |
| Average ranking (# of rankings) | 12.75 (8) |
| Average change from last week | +2.50 |
| Highest ranking (source) | 11th (ESPN) |
| Lowest ranking (source) | 15th (CBS Sports) |
| Biggest positive change (source) | +4 (multiple sources) |
| Biggest negative change (source) | +1 (multiple sources) |
Who’s under fire: Les Snead, GM
Snead signed a contract extension before the season that keeps him with the Rams through 2023, so there’s no danger of the general manager losing his job. There’s no reason he should after constructing a Super Bowl roster last season. However, the attention on him will undoubtedly grow, as he must find a way to rebuild the offensive line and fill a few key positions with very little cap space. The Rams also don’t have a first-round draft pick after Snead traded their 2020 first-rounder (and 2021 first- and fourth-round picks) to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who also is looking for a payday.
Watching the Rams on Sunday was like taking a trip in a time machine all the way back to the innocent days of ... last November. Back then, Los Angeles was still the envy of the league, thanks to a relentless offensive attack. We hadn’t seen much of that this season, at least not before Jared Goff threw for more than 400 yards in a little more than three quarters against the Cardinals. Robert Woods had 13 catches for 172 yards and Todd Gurley chipped in with 115 yards from scrimmage and a score. It was a perfect get-right game for the Rams after a humbling butt-whipping at the hands of the Ravens two Mondays ago. The big question: Was this the sign of a turnaround for the Rams ... or was it merely a mirage against one of the league’s have-nots? This week’s prime-time showdown against the Seahawks will tell us a lot.
That was an impressive showing against the Cardinals. Where was that defense against the Ravens?
Jared Goff would have put up 500 yards had the Cardinals been more competitive. Goff has games like that and you wonder where that has been all season from him and this Rams offense.
Pro Football Talk: 13th (17th)
The schedule will be getting a lot tougher down the stretch, but if they play like they did against the Cardinals it won’t matter.
Followed worst performance of season with their best. Seems their stars are finally healthy, but they must remain aligned for playoff return.
Much, much better from the Rams, who flashed whatever residual 2018 swag remains as Jared Goff spun a 32-of-43, 424-yard gem with two TDs and a 120.7 rating. Todd Gurley rebounded from his disappearing act against Baltimore, carrying the ball 19 times for 95 yards and a touchdown (as well as a lone reception for 20 yards). Robert Woods got busy (13 catches, 172 yards) on the outside while the defense had success corralling Kyler Murray (six sacks).
The Athletic: 13th (17th)
The Rams apparently found a time machine back to 2018 in the six days between their Monday night loss to Baltimore and Sunday’s blowout win in Arizona. Jared Goff played his best game of the season (424 passing yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, one sack), Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown each averaged 5 yards per carry while Aaron Donald wrecked the Cardinals’ offensive game plan. Will it be enough to jump-start a playoff run? It might be too late for that, but it sure is encouraging to see the Rams look like, well, the Rams, again.
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