Rams lose to Chiefs 27-13: Post-Game Package

The Rams got flat out outplayed for a second week in a row. Last week it was against New Orleans, who won the Super Bowl last year. But this week there was really no excuse. Horrible play-calling and execution resulted in them getting overpowered.

Things were looking good when the Rams got field-goals on their first two drives. They took a 6-0 lead, but their inability to score touchdowns didn't do them any favors. The Rams' defense frequently gets winded towards the end of games, so anyone familiar with the 2010 Rams should have known that that they needed touchdowns rather than field-goals.

The defense didn't wait until the 4th quarter to become futile, like they typically do; instead, they lost their energy by the start of the 2nd quarter. The Chiefs got their first touchdown on a 2-yard pass to TE Leonard Pope, and got their second touchdown of the quarter on a 2-yard run by RB Jamaal Charles. The Rams trailed 14-6 at halftime.

Instead of making the proper adjustments, and regaining the momentum, the Rams entered the second half with a pathetically flat offense. The defense played somewhat decent, as they prevented the Chiefs from getting any touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, but they gave up a field-goal in the 3rd quarter, as well as one in the 4th. This made the score 20-6.

The Rams then managed to comeback and make it a one score game. A solid drive in which they finally opened up the passing game eventually ended with Steven Jackson marching into the end-zone. This happened with about four minutes left in the 4th quarter, making the score 20-13.

Though the Rams were one score away from tying the game with time left in the final quarter, the game was not nearly as close as it looked at that point. The Rams were getting outplayed for the majority of the game, and it continued after the Rams gave the ball back to the Chiefs following the Steven Jackson touchdown. On the Chiefs' first play of the drive, Jamaal Charles broke free for an 80-yard run and was tackled inside the 5-yard line. The drive ended in a RB Thomas Jones touchdown, which shattered the Rams hopes as they fell behind 27-13.

The Rams made a pathetic attempt at a hurry-up offense. A sack put them into a 4th-and-forever situation, and Bradford threw his second interception to end the game.

The Rams did not lose their season because of this game. They are possibly in "sudden-death" mode for the rest of the season, meaning one more loss could very possibly end their season. However, even though their season is not over, the last few games have made it painfully clear to the fans that the Rams are just not a very talented team. They are benefiting from a ridiculously weak schedule, and they are capable of being overpowered in every way by winning teams.

STATS
ST.LOUIS RAMS

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
S. Bradford	21/43	181	0	2
Rushing	CAR	YDS	TD	LG
S. Jackson	19	67	1	8
S. Bradford	2	2	0	3
Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
D. Amendola	7	60	0	16
D. Fells	4	47	0	25
S. Jackson	5	37	0	13
B. Gibson	3	29	0	13
L. Robinson	2	8	0	8

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Passing	CP/AT	YDS	TD	INT
M. Cassel	15/29	184	1	1
Rushing	CAR	YDS	TD	LG
J. Charles	11	126	1	80
T. Jones	22	62	1	16
M. Cassel	6	17	0	13
J. Battle	2	9	0	7
D. McCluster	1	-4	0	-4
Receiving	REC	YDS	TD	LG
D. Bowe	2	53	0	28
C. Chambers	3	42	0	26
J. Charles	3	27	0	14
T. Moeaki	3	25	0	12
T. Jones	1	16	0	16
T. Castille	1	12	0	12
D. McCluster	1	7	0	7
L. Pope	1	2	1	2T

THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY


THE GOOD
Danny Amendola-  Amendola was probably the only offensive player to show any heart today. Amendola led the team in receiving with 7 catches for 60 yards. He is also the one who made the Rams' only touchdown drive possible.

Steven Jackson- Jackson needs to get some credit for scoring the team's only touchdown of the game.

James Laurinaitis- Laurinaitis was flying around the ball today. He had 10 tackles in the game, but that doesn't tell the whole story. He is a big reason why this game was not a blow-out.

THE BAD
Sam Bradford- Bradford has been looking like a rookie the past two games. The last two games he has been struggling with tipped passes, which is something he was struggling with during the pre-season. And I won't put a lot of blame on him for the interceptions, as those were in desperate comeback situations, but that might force some to question his 4th quarter comeback ability.

Offensive-Line- Three penalties on Jason Smith alone, and they were penalties that absolutely killed drives. But the penalties aren't everything, as the protection for Bradford was inexcusable and pathetic. If the Rams can answer their wide-receiver and secondary issues in free-agency, then I certainly would not oppose OG/C Mike Pouncey as a first round draft pick.

Receivers- Way too many dropped passes today, something that has been haunting the unit all season long. If I were one of the receivers, I would really try to avoid dropping passes, as each of the receivers are very replaceable. Laurent Robinson was particularly frustrating today.

Defense- The defense did a solid job in the 1st and 3rd quarters, but that was not nearly enough. Anytime the opposing team has 200 yards of combined rushing... it is a very bad day.

THE UGLY
Pat Shurmur- This is not Shurmur's first appearance in "The Ugly" section. The guy just shows week in, and week out, that he is not an NFL caliber Offensive Coordinator. He doesn't have all of the talent in the world to work with, but shouldn't he compromise by attacking the defense's weak points? In the case of Kansas City, their weak point is their secondary; and not only did Shurmur avoid attacking the secondary, but he did the exact opposite. I would not be the least bit surprised if Shurmur lost his job following the season. That doesn't mean it will happen, it just means I wouldn't be surprised.