The Rams’ offense trades inefficiency in the red zone for turnover difficulties, resulting in another one-point loss

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Just when the Los Angeles Rams seemed to be solving their problems scoring touchdowns in the red zone, the offense discovered another problem hampering them.

Sales. Way too many of them.

And they turned out to be the difference in one 24:19 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

“You know, I thought we moved the ball well between the 20s,” quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “We just didn’t get enough points. And that’s the be-all and end-all in this league, you know. I have to collect points and take care of football.

“I think we can be better in both areas.”

The Rams (1-4) lost a fumble and threw an interception in Packers territory on consecutive possessions in the third quarter. Green Bay (3-2) converted both takeaways into touchdowns and then fended off a fourth-quarter drive, giving Los Angeles its worst start in five games since 2014, which also marks Sean McVay’s worst record in his eight seasons as a player and coach.

Running back Kyren Williams knocked the ball down at the Packers 23 and safety Xavier McKinney recovered it. Two plays later, Tucker Kraft had a 66-yard catch-and-run touchdown that gave Green Bay a 17-13 lead.

The Rams responded effectively, only for Stafford to move the ball into double coverage on third down. McKinney hit the pick and the Packers delivered another drive, capped by Jordan Love’s touchdown pass to Kraft, giving them an 11-point lead.

Los Angeles had two lost fumbles and two interceptions in the first four games. It is only win against San Francisco in Week 3 came when the offense didn’t give up the ball.

“Sometimes you can overcome it, but most of the time you can’t,” McVay said.

Previous single-digit losses were due to the Rams struggling to score touchdowns within the 20 mark, going 7 for 17 (41.2%) in four games. Settling for field goals was all the difference in one Overtime loss at Detroit in season opener and a Six-point loss in Chicago last week.

The Rams were 2 for 3 in the red zone against the Packers, with Stafford crediting the running game for more consistency with Williams’ 1-yard scoring rush in the second quarter and his 1-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson Prepare with 3: There are still 30 left to get to five points.

But Los Angeles couldn’t convert at the Packers 4 in the first quarter as two of Stafford’s passes to tight end Colby Parkinson were incomplete on third and fourth downs.

“It’s frustrating when those opportunities are missed and points count,” Stafford said. “They have a high value in this league. So just try to be as precise as possible.”

The empty possession, as well as a missed extra point by rookie Joshua Karty and wide receiver Tutu Atwell’s unsuccessful jet sweep on a 2-point attempt in the fourth quarter, were mistakes that compounded the Rams’ turnover problems.

Despite these gaffes, the Rams still had a chance to win the game on their final possession. Stafford drove them to the Packers 38 but was pressured into a quick throw on fourth down right in front of Parkinson, ending the comeback bid with 1:02 left.

The Rams battled through similar problems last season, recovering from a 3-6 start to make the playoffs. Achieving the same thing this year will take that kind of effort, and McVay said you have to start with discipline to avoid wasting opportunities.

“Before you can start winning games, you have to learn not to beat yourself,” he said. “But I’m proud of this group’s fight. This is a difficult question, but we will respond, look at ourselves and figure out how we can get better and continue to do a better job as a coach.”

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL