Studs and duds from Rams’ 28-19 win vs. Lions
The Los Angeles Rams are built around several important stars on both sides of the ball, including Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Jalen Ramsey. All three of them stepped up in a big way against the Lions on Sunday, turning in clutch performances during the team’s 28-19 win at home.
They deservingly earned stud labels for the way they played in Week 7, as did Leonard Floyd and the offensive line. But who were the duds for the Rams today?
Stud: Matthew Stafford
Stafford gave the Lions a reminder of what a good quarterback he is by putting together a terrific performance against his former team. He completed 28 of 41 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns, posting a passer rating of 117.3. He was once again aggressive in throwing the ball downfield, completing several passes for big yardage – including a 59-yarder to Cooper Kupp.
Stud: Cooper Kupp
For the fourth time this season, Kupp posted a stat line of at least seven catches and 100 yards. It was also his second game of at least nine catches and 150 yards, hauling in a season-high 10 receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He’s in the conversation as arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL right now, showing why again on Sunday afternoon.
Stud: Jalen Ramsey
Ramsey was already playing well against the Lions before picking off Jared Goff in the end zone, the biggest play in the game. He finished the afternoon with six tackles, one QB hit, a tackle for a loss and the interception, helping limit the production of T.J. Hockenson by guarding him several times throughout the game. He was highly impactful in the win, as he often is for the Rams.
Stud: Leonard Floyd
Floyd may not have had a huge day as a pass rusher, failing to record a single QB hit or sack, but he made his presence felt on the edge in run defense. He made seven total tackles, including one right at the line of scrimmage on third-and-short just before the Lions were stuffed on fourth down one play later. He pressured Goff a couple of times and set the edge nicely in what was quietly a good game from No. 54.
Stud: Offensive line
Matthew Stafford was only hit one single time in this game, which came on the play where he was sacked by Julian Okwara. That was mostly a miscommunication from Brian Allen and Austin Corbett, too, failing to pick up the stunt in the middle. Other than that, the offensive line played well, especially in pass protection. Andrew Whitworth got beat a couple of times in the running game, which you don’t want to see, but the big men up front got the job done.
Dud: Troy Reeder
It’s time for the Rams to consider benching Reeder in favor of Ernest Jones or Travin Howard. Reeder had an especially bad day against the Lions, with it all beginning when he failed to haul in the Lions’ onside kick. He missed a few tackles, was out of position on Hockenson’s 21-yard reception and was hardly ever in the right spot in coverage and was slow to get outside when the Lions ran off-tackle.
Dud: Special teams
The only saving grace for the special teams unit was Matt Gay and his clutch 47-yard field goal. Other than that, it was a mess. Ben Skowronek had three terrible returns of 17 yards each, Jacob Harris was called for holding on one kickoff, the Rams were fooled by two fake punts and the Lions converted a surprise onside kick. Joe DeCamillis’ unit has to be better in every phase because there’s no excuse for the way it played on Sunday.
Dud: A’Shawn Robinson
Robinson seemed to get more playing time against his former team, but as has been the case most of this season, he was not very impactful. He made three tackles, one of which was a solo stop, and struggled to get off blocks from his defensive end position. The Rams need him to be better as a run defender if he’s not going to offer much as a pass rusher.
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