.jpg)
3 hours ago
1
The Los Angeles Rams failed to score a touchdown in a surprising 23-15 loss to Miami last Monday, November 11. After the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed dissatisfaction with his offensive line's performance.
The 4-5 Rams had won three consecutive games before falling to the visiting 3-6 Dolphins. Quarterback Matthew Stafford had not been sacked during Weeks 8 and 9 against Minnesota and Seattle, respectively, but the Dolphins sacked Stafford four times.
Question marks remain around the Rams' offensive line heading into their Week 11 matchup in New England on Sunday, November 17.
The official injury report lists starting right tackle Rob Havenstein as out with an ankle injury, and his backup Joe Noteboom is doubtful with an ankle injury. Warren McClendon is expected to make his third NFL start, according to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue.
"McVay also declined to name a starting center when asked directly, although he admitted that his reasoning was due to gamesmanship and that the team knows who it will be," Rodrigue additionally reported. "Rookie Beaux Limmer filled in for starter Jonah Jackson while the latter recovered from a shoulder injury between Weeks 2 and 10. Jackson returned to the starting lineup in Monday night's loss to the Miami Dolphins, where he and the offensive line as a whole struggled. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was pressured 15 times, hit six times, and sacked four times. He and Jackson also botched a snap. It was nearly fumbled but resulted in a sack for a 13-yard loss."
The Rams will look to get back into the win column and stay in the hunt for the NFC West against the 3-7 Patriots. However, the Los Angeles offense may still struggle to find its rhythm due to New England's second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who has consistently proved his ability to eliminate top wide receivers.
"These guys [Patriots defense] are long, they're big, they're strong, they're sturdy, and that's the way they've built it there," Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said this week. "That's why they've always been an extremely good defense and a really good front seven. We'll have our hands full there. Every week, you have your hands full with defensive linemen in this league. It's just the way that they're built in terms of their length and their size. Obviously, Miami had some of those similar guys like most teams do, and [they] got some hands on some balls. Keep the hands off, go attack them, get on them first, and just keep battling your butt off."
English (US)