Defending Super Bowl champion Rams show multiple weaknesses in 'humbling' season opener | Opinion
The Los Angeles Rams reminisced on the glory days when their Super Bowl 56 banner was unveiled pregame at SoFi Stadium. Following the celebratory moment, the Rams were reminded for four quarters about the daunting challenge ahead.
The reigning Super Bowl champions were thoroughly outplayed in a 31-10 rout Thursday night to kickoff the 2022 NFL season. It was the franchise's most lopsided Week 1 loss since falling 28-0 to the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, and it ended head coach Sean McVay’s unblemished 5-0 record in season openers.
“I do take a lot of responsibility in this,” McVay said postgame. “You got to be able to look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘I have to be better within the framework of my role.’ That’s exactly what I’m gonna do, that’s what I know our coaches are gonna do and that’s what our players are gonna do. We are gonna stay together and we’re gonna look forward to our next opportunity to be resilient and respond.”
There’s a reason the New England Patriots were the last team to repeat as Super Bowl champions (2003-04) nearly two decades ago and just seven franchises have accomplished the feat in history.
The Rams are going to get their opponent’s best shot each week.
The Rams received a dose of reality inside their home stadium in the season opener. Buffalo never trailed and controlled the game despite losing the turnover battle four to three.
“You never want to start the season that way. First game, last game or whatever it is, you want to win them all,” Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “Overall execution and our capability of playing better, there’s a whole lot more there.”
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It easy to overreact after just one forgettable game, but there are multiple personnel concerns the Rams must address in their quest to defend the Super Bowl title.
Without free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., Cooper Kupp still looks like he’s the only Rams receiver who can consistently separate from coverage. Kupp compiled 13 catches, 128 receiving yards and the team’s only touchdown. All other Rams players combined for 112 total receiving yards.
The retirement of left tackle Andrew Whitworth and the process of building continuity upfront is a work in progress. Matthew Stafford was sacked seven times and took 15 quarterback hits.
On defense, the Rams miss Von Miller. Miller had a game-high two sacks versus his former team. His two sacks equaled the Rams’ sack total in the loss. Rams pass rushers Leonard Floyd and Justin Hollins failed to take advantage of the double teams Aaron Donald routinely faced, and will continue to all season. Additionally, in the secondary, cornerback Jalen Ramsey followed up his lackluster Super Bowl performance with another subpar outing. Bills top wide receiver Stefon Diggs produced eight catches, 122 yards and a touchdown in the win, including a 53-yard touchdown reception while Ramsey was on him in coverage.
A reliable secondary receiver, pass blocking, rushing the passer and pass defense were areas of concern for the Rams going into Thursday’s highly anticipated Week 1 matchup – and all four issues were noticeable in the Rams’ home loss.
The good news is the Rams have ample time to improve. However, Thursday night served as another reminder that the task of defending a Super Bowl title is an extremely difficult endeavor.
“(Thursday) was a humbling night,” McVay said. “My favorite part about sports is the opportunity to respond. This is just chapter one of a guaranteed 17 chapters that we have.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rams show multiple weaknesses in 'humbling' season opener vs. Bills
