:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65215476/1173198863.jpg.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Rams certainly have room for improvement after a 30-27 victory against the Carolina Panthers - specifically on Special teams (more on that later this week).
Let’s take a look back at our Rams to watch.
RB Todd Gurley
Gurley shared the burden of the running game with Malcolm Brown and benefited greatly from the arrangement. He may of ceded some of the early goal line work to Brown, but he still nearly eclipsed 100 yards (97) on 14 carries and caught his only target of the day.
Most importantly, Gurley looked fresh in the fourth quarter when the Rams needed to him most. Count this - and Brown’s effectiveness - as a big win for the Rams.
WR Cooper Kupp
Kupp was held to under 50 yards, but he looked like he was fully recovered from a torn ACL that ended his 2018 campaign. Rams QB Jared Goff looked to be forcing passes to Robert Woods at times and wasn’t accustomed to having his favorite target back in the fold.
With time, that chemistry will return and it will only benefit the Rams offense.
C Brian Allen
The Rams rushed for 150+ yards and had several big runs right up the middle. I’ll admit that I was a bit concerned about Allen - and the interior OL as a whole - heading into this matchup. But I think they put that to bed in Carolina.
DL Sebastian Joseph-Day
With Greg Gaines being a surprise scratch, that was more of an onus on SJD to come up big in the run game. The Panthers averaging 5.5 YPC unfortunately answers most questions that we had.
Yes, they have one of the most electric RBs in the NFL, but the Rams need to improve against the run moving forward.
CB Marcus Peters
I very well could have missed something Sunday, but I don’t recall Peters being mentioned much. The only occasion I remember hearing his name called was after the Cory Littleton interception when he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
That flag is part of the danger of having a passionate player on your defense - and if that’s the only time we’re hearing his name called, it’s very good for the Rams defense.