For the fourth time this season, the Los Angeles Rams are coming off a double-digit loss. They were blown out by the Cowboys 44-21 in Week 15, causing their playoff chances to take a significant hit.
In Sean McVay’s first two seasons combined, they had only lost three games by at least 10 points. Their inability to hang with some teams this year has been startling, and it’s not something anyone could’ve seen coming.
Fortunately, the Rams have been good at bouncing back from ugly losses in the past. It hasn’t always been perfect, but the Rams typically rebound with wins after double-digit defeats, which is a testament to the job McVay does in the locker room and in preparation for the following game.
Here’s every instance the Rams have lost by 10-plus points under McVay and how they bounced back the following week.
2017
Week 11: 24-7 loss to Vikings
Week 12: 26-20 win over Saints at home
Week 17: 34-13 loss to 49ers
Wild-card round: 26-13 loss to Falcons at home
2018
Week 9: 45-35 loss to Saints
Week 10: 36-31 win over Seahawks at home
2019
Week 4: 55-40 loss to Buccaneers
Week 5: 30-29 loss to Seahawks on road
Week 6: 20-7 loss to 49ers
Week 7: 37-10 win over Falcons on road
Week 12: 45-6 loss to Ravens
Week 13: 34-7 win over Cardinals on road
With McVay at the helm, the Rams are 4-2 the week after losing by at least 10 points. There is one caveat, however. In 2017, the Rams lost 34-13 to the 49ers in the season finale, which was a game Los Angeles rested its primary starters for.
The following week, they faced the Falcons in the first round of the playoffs and lost at home. Had the Rams played their starters against the 49ers, they likely would’ve won, or at least kept the game within one score.
Even with that game included, there’s no doubt the Rams have done a good job bouncing back from big losses. And even this year when they lost by 15 points to the Buccaneers, they rebounded by nearly beating the Seahawks in Seattle – a game they should’ve won. Greg Zuerlein’s game-winning kick in the final seconds was wide right by mere inches, resulting in a 30-29 loss.
This is one of the Rams’ toughest tests yet, having to face the 11-3 49ers on the road, but if past history is any indication, they’ll have a good chance to pull off the upset and rebound from last week’s drubbing.