There are several reasons the Los Angeles Rams came up short and missed the playoffs this season. You can point to injuries, issues on the offensive line, Jared Goff’s regression – the list goes on. But Sean McVay didn’t name any of those deficiencies specifically when asked what the Rams’ biggest issue was in 2019.
Instead, he pointed to consistency – or lack thereof.
“I think overall, just the consistency. I think there’s been instances in all three phases where there’s been some really positive things and then there’s been some other instances where I don’t think we’ve played up to our capability. That’s all of us – that’s coaches, players, we’re all in this thing together,” McVay said Sunday. “Ultimately, you‘ve heard us talk about it before, consistency is the truest measurement of performance. Unfortunately, I think our inconsistency as a team ended up hurting us. We saw what we were capable of when the things were going well, and we saw how it can look when they’re not going well. It’s been a real big learning opportunity this year. It is something that you want to really make sure that you go back, you reflect on an you say, ‘All right, how can we try to be more consistent week in and week out? What are the things that I can do, that we can do in terms of how we’re setting up our offseason?’”
Aaron Donald said almost the same thing after the Rams’ loss to the 49ers on Saturday night.
“We just weren’t consistent,” he said. “We had a lot of ups and downs. Each week is different, no matter what the other team’s record is. When you come out flat some games, you’re going to lose. We had to be more consistent. It was just a bad year for us. We have to bounce back next year.”
At times, the Rams looked like one of the best teams in the league. Then at other points in the season, they seemed completely incapable of moving the ball against anyone; they scored 35 points in three games against the Steelers, Bears and Ravens.
The defense was stout in several games against the Seahawks, Cardinals, Bears, Bengals and Falcons. The Rams also allowed just 22 total points to the Saints and Browns in Weeks 2 and 3. On the flipside, they gave up 55 to the Bucs, 45 to the Ravens and 44 to the Cowboys.
See why McVay and Donald brought up the word consistency?
The Rams have one more week left in the season before they begin evaluating the roster – likely from top to bottom, with a few exceptions (see: Donald, Aaron). With no first-round pick and very little spending money, changes are certain to be made.
McVay isn’t shying away from that, nor will any player or coach.
“Everything is going to be evaluated and I’m excited about attacking that challenge after this week,” McVay added. “That’s where our singular focus will be is on focusing on this week and the Cardinals game because that’s what we’re going to finish this season off the right way. I think you owe it to the players, to everybody in this organization. Then, after that, then we’ll have a good chance – unfortunately, a lot longer than we’re accustomed to – to really look inward and reflect on what are the things that we can do to move forward and be better attacking next season?”
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