This was a bad week for the Los Angeles Rams. Not only did L.A. lose to a divisional opponent, but the teams’ biggest flaws were exposed in what is looking like a much tighter NFC race.
Fortunately for the Rams, though, the Seattle Seahawks also lost, meaning L.A. is tied for second in the division. The Arizona Cardinals fell, too. Even the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles dropped a game, which means everyone is vulnerable in the chaotic NFL.
Losses matter, though, and the Rams went from a top-5 to somewhere either at or just outside the top-10. We looked at a couple of experts’ power rankings heading into Week 6, and the consensus standing for the Rams was 8.7. That seems about right, considering how bad they looked on Thursday night.
USA Today: No. 8
Tough loss to the depleted 49ers. But how much would you want to play for a fully accountable coach like Sean McVay, whether or not he really needed to fall on his sword?
Bleacher Report: No. 8
One week doesn’t make or break a season, especially in early October. But the day may come when the Los Angeles Rams look back on Week 5 with a sense of profound regret.
This was a game where the Rams were over a touchdown favorite at home. Where the 49ers were short their starting quarterback, top-four pass-catchers and best defensive players. A game where Matthew Stafford threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
And not only did the Rams lose, but they also spotted San Francisco a 14-0 lead before eventually forcing overtime.
The Rams were hardly along in not playing their best in Week 5, but a performance like this from a team that fashions itself a Super Bowl contender isn’t a great look.
ESPN: No. 8
Yahoo Sports: No. 11
There’s no way around it: That was a terrible loss for the Rams last week. It could end up being the difference in winning a division title. The good news is Matthew Stafford, who threw for 389 yards, is looking as good as ever.
FOX Sports: No. 6
Two losses in the last three games would’ve dropped them farther, but those were narrow losses to the Eagles and 49ers. They’re still a top team and Matthew Stafford is still defying the odds and playing like an MVP candidate.
CBS Sports: No. 11
That was a bad stumble losing to the undermanned 49ers at home on Thursday. Now they face a long trip to play a desperate Ravens team.
Sports Illustrated: No. 9
The Rams are blessed with a get-right game against Cooper Rush and the husk of the Baltimore Ravens in order to recover from Thursday night’s debacle. Of course, the reality of their situation stings more with time. All of their losses have boiled down to some kind of issue with the field goal or extra point units.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams drop in consensus NFL Week 6 power rankings after loss to 49ers
Reporting by Tyler Greenawalt, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
