Their house stadium was adorned in hostile purple and throaty boos.
The Rams confirmed up anyway.
Their opponent was clearly extra expert, extra loaded, simply plain higher.
The Rams confirmed up anyway.
There gave the impression to be little doubt that the unloved house crew would lose their house opener Sunday to the seemingly Tremendous-Bowl certain San Francisco 49ers and their monumental fan base Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
The Rams have been a blast anyway.
The ultimate rating was 30-23, and the Rams weren’t out of the sport till the ultimate three minutes, and within the previous three hours they made a press release that ought to be heartening to the scant few horned followers who confirmed up in opposition to all odds to really cheer them.
This rebuilding mess of a crew is definitely a cool Hollywood murals. This nameless assortment of questionable talents is as cool as stars on the sidewalk and as stunning as handprints in cement.
The Rams really feel much less like an NFL crew and extra like a cult film ready to occur and, on this city, that’s an excellent factor.
They’re younger, they’re enjoyable, they usually’re going to shock some folks — they have already got — this scribe included.
Earlier than the season I wrote that the Rams have been such a misplaced trigger, they need to tank for the rights to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams. I stand corrected.
Having watched them almost win in opposition to a powerfully stacked crew, I don’t need them to lose. Two video games into this stunning season, they’re 1-1 and nearly something appears potential.
What, you’re going to wager in opposition to a man named Puka Nacua? His identify feels like a music, and his sport performs like a sundown — so fairly, so intense.
Rams receiver Puka Nacua makes considered one of his 15 catches in opposition to the 49ers.
(Gregory Bull / Related Press)
The rookie from Brigham Younger ran throughout the center and down the sidelines and wherever Matthew Stafford needed him to run, catching 15 darts for 147 yards in changing into the primary receiver in NFL to have not less than 10 receptions for not less than 100 yards in his first two video games.
Cooper who?
“This can be a dream come true for me to be within the Nationwide Soccer League and I attempt to dwell as much as that customary each day,” mentioned Nacua afterward.
Whilst you’re at it, are you additionally going to wager in opposition to a man named Kyren? His final identify is Williams, he’s a bruising second-yard working again who gained 100 complete yards with two touchdowns whereas catching the primary scoring cross by a Rams working again in additional than a 12 months.
Cam who?
Ah, however they’re nonetheless youngsters, and Williams’ mistake turned the sport when a cross bounced off his palms and into the arms of the 49ers Isaiah Oliver with 4:10 remaining within the third quarter and the Rams driving for a go-ahead rating on the 49ers’ 31-yard line. The 49ers scored 10 straight factors and the Rams by no means pulled even once more.
“There’s no extra conscientious man on our crew, no one desires to do proper greater than that man, I’ve obtained no drawback with it,” mentioned Stafford of Williams’ mistake. “He is aware of he can catch that ball, however that’s a part of it.”
The sport wasn’t really clinched till the defensive stress lastly obtained to Stafford within the ultimate 5 minutes and the Rams trailing by a landing. He threw a decide to Deommodore Lenoir and that was that.
The stadium erupted in a press-box shaking roar, all these stinking 49ers followers lastly had their second to have a good time however, make no mistake, their crew needed to work for it.
“This was a helluva sport, a few performs right here or there and this one’s in our again pocket,” mentioned Stafford.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) scampers out of the pocket for additional yardage in opposition to the 49ers.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Instances)
On a day throughout which the Rams really outgained the 49ers by 21 yards whereas working 24 extra performs, it actually did really feel nearer than anybody would have imagined.
This 49ers crew that steamrolled the Pittsburgh Steelers within the opener didn’t have it really easy, with quarterback Brock Purdy failing to throw a landing cross whereas lacking a number of open receivers in opposition to an aggressive cross rush and hassling secondary.
The final time the 49ers performed right here, in October of final season, Christian McCaffery ran for a landing, threw for a landing and caught a cross for a landing. This time he solely scored as soon as, on a 14-yard run, in order that’s progress, no?
In the meantime, behind a rebuilt and revving offensive line, Stafford was solely sacked as soon as whereas utilizing the time to seek out seven receivers on 34-of-55 passing for 307 yards and a landing.
It’s really type of inspiring, watching the outdated man directing the kids everywhere in the subject with a seamlessness that contradicts earlier viral quotes from spouse Kelly about how the distinction in age is inflicting a scarcity of connection.
“I’m making an attempt to do the whole lot I can, I do know these guys are combating tooth and nail,” Stafford mentioned.
Tooth and nail may be a cliché, however these youngsters Rams are exhibiting loads of enamel amid the relentlessness of a, properly, nail.
“I just like the spirit, I just like the competitiveness, I just like the resilience of this group,” mentioned coach Sean McVay. “I like the look in these man’s eyes.”
There have been just some occasions when these eyes have been centered on the flawed factor. A dropped cross right here, a holding penalty there, little issues born of inexperience — issues that separate the reworking Rams from the completed 49ers.
“There’s some issues we felt like … we had an excellent grasp of, we’re only a litttttle bit away from with the ability to execute,” mentioned McVay.
What did work, and what ought to be most promising to followers, is how the 2 kids stuffed two of the crew’s largest vacancies.
Nacua is basically catching passes that when went to sore-legged Cooper Kupp, who received’t be eligible to return from the injured reserve record for a few weeks. There was some thought that Tutu Atwell would share in these throws, however neglect that. Nacua is now the person.
“He’s powerful, he’s a bodily competitor. … I believed that confirmed up … he continued to battle right through to the top, he’s the epitome of what we wish to be as a Ram,,” mentioned McVay. “I like Puka Nacua. … He’s a stud.”
Then there’s Williams, the Notre Dame product who was taking the place of Cam Akers, an inconsistent and troubling expertise who was a wholesome scratch. The Rams would most likely like to commerce Akers and perhaps Williams total efficiency on this sport — minus the butterfingers — confirmed them they will.
Even when there was no substitute, Akers doesn’t appear to slot in this younger and uncomplaining bunch. They’re having an excessive amount of enjoyable with out him.
“I like the rapport of the group. I like the best way they play for one another,” mentioned McVay.
I simply love the best way they play, interval.
It’s solely two video games, however it looks like a factor. A remixed Rams crew that began this season all however forgotten has proven up anyway.
