Rams: A Tale of Two Teams

They’re undeniably one of the top teams in football. But things can change quickly.

The Rams seem to be two different teams. Sometimes, they look like a powerhouse with talents like Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua. Other times, they struggle to score or even defend effectively.

This inconsistency is part of why they could—and arguably should—have clinched the Super Bowl.

However, they might find themselves ousted early in the regional playoffs this Sunday, facing off against, well, arguably overrated Bears.

Their extreme fluctuations from quarter to quarter have become a defining characteristic of the Rams. This inconsistency explains their matchups against weaker contenders at this point in the postseason.

There was a time when they were vying for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but a disappointing close to the regular season saw them lose three out of their last six games. One notable defeat was against the Seahawks, where they trailed by 16 points heading into the fourth quarter.

Their narrow victory against the underperforming Panthers in the wild-card round reflected similar patterns. They started strong, taking a 14-0 lead, only to let the Panthers claw their way back into the game.

The win came down to a last-minute touchdown pass from Stafford to a covered Colby Parkinson down the right sideline.

“I think we were satisfied,” outside linebacker Jared Verse mentioned after the game.

This performance felt all too familiar, leading coach Sean McVay to ponder why his team keeps losing control in critical moments.

“What do you think was different from the other day?” McVay countered, recalling their 34-31 win. “You found a way, right?”

Yet, the Rams have had these moments before. They managed to beat a team that was, frankly, very lacking.

In their final regular season game, they initially led the Cardinals by 10 points at halftime—only to see that evaporate. By the third quarter’s end, the margin dwindled to just 4 points.

They did win that game, but it begs the question: how did the Cardinals even remain competitive?

McVay sidestepped direct comparisons between the Panthers and Cardinals, instead referencing the Seahawks loss. “What I mean is, the opponent has a role as well,” he said. “Our past struggles can become our strengths. After that Seattle game, we were ahead, but they finished strongly. We need to do that, too, while respecting what the other team aims to accomplish.”

He suggested that overcoming the Panthers was, in some way, a step forward.

“What I appreciate from the last game is that we started strong and held a 14-0 lead, even though they responded. There was a lull, sure,” McVay remarked. “We found ourselves down by four points, which in prior games was a situation where we faltered.”

This was similar to their earlier loss against the Panthers in Week 13.

The Rams have faced earlier expiration dates too. In Week 17, they lost to the Falcons by a shocking three touchdowns at halftime. They attempted a comeback but still fell short.

“Of course I understand,” McVay acknowledged. “I want us to shine for a full 60 minutes.”

Against the Bears, the Rams might not be able to afford slipping back into old habits. With expected sub-20-degree weather, the passing game could be significantly affected, potentially leading to the end of their season.