Tag: Rams History

Rams projected to receive two compensatory picks in 2021 draft

Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. will bring back two draft picks for the Rams.

The Los Angeles Rams have lost some marquee players in free agency over the last few years, but fortunately, the NFL compensates teams for their losses with draft picks. Compensatory draft picks can be very valuable and teams like the Rams, Patriots and Ravens have capitalized on the system by letting their high-priced free agents leave.

In the last two years, the Rams have received three third-round compensatory picks and two seventh-rounders. They’re in line to receive a few more in next year’s draft, too, after losing Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency.

According to Over the Cap, the Rams are projected to be awarded two compensatory picks in 2021: a third-rounder for Fowler and a fourth for Littleton. The Rams also lost Greg Zuerlein, but their addition of A’Shawn Robinson canceled that seventh-rounder out.

The compensatory pick formula isn’t public knowledge and even team executives aren’t exactly sure how the process works. However, it’s primarily based on contract value and also accounts for playing time, post-season awards such as All-Pro honors.

Fowler signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Falcons after spending one and a half seasons with the Rams. Littleton left Los Angeles to join the Raiders, signing a three-year, $35.25 million contract.

The Rams would’ve gotten compensatory picks if they lost Andrew Whitworth and Michael Brockers, too, but they were able to retain them with three-year deals for each player.

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How have Rams rebounded from double-digit losses under Sean McVay?

The Rams have gone 4-2 in games after losing by 10-plus points the previous week.

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.

Rams made NFL history with yet another lopsided win over Cardinals

The Rams are the first team in NFL history to accomplish this feat.

Before Sean McVay took over as head coach, the Rams had lost five of their last seven games against the Arizona Cardinals. Since he was hired, though, the tables have turned in a big way. It’s looked more like a David versus Goliath matchup since 2017, with the Rams being the latter instead of the former.

They’ve won five in a row over the Cardinals, each one in dominant fashion. The Rams have scored at least 30 points in each game and kept the Cardinals under 17 points in all five meetings, capped off by Sunday’s 34-7 victory by Los Angeles.

With it, the Rams made league history. They’re the first team ever to win five straight against a single opponent, scoring at least 30 points and allowing fewer than 17 in each game.

Here are the last five games between these two teams:

  • 10/22/2017: Rams 33, Cardinals 0
  • 12/03/2017: Rams 32, Cardinals 16
  • 9/16/2018: Rams 34, Cardinals 0
  • 12/23/2018: Rams 31, Cardinals 9
  • 12/1/2019: Rams 34, Cardinals 7

In total, the Rams have outscored Arizona 164-32. That’s about as lopsided as it gets between two franchises.

The Cardinals were no match for Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, being held to 81 yards on their first nine possessions before gaining 117 yards in garbage time. Kyler Murray was held completely in check, and Kenyan Drake proved to be a non-factor.

The Rams offense was equally impressive, scoring on five of their first seven drives. Jared Goff had his best game of the season, throwing for 424 yards and two touchdowns, while Todd Gurley added 95 yards rushing.