INSIDE SLANT
NFL Team Report - Los Angeles Rams
Rams trying to get their mojo back The Los Angeles Rams are reeling after losing two straight games for the first time under second-year head coach Sean McVay. The setbacks against the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles have put a major crimp in the Rams chase for home-field advantage throughout the NFL playoffs and jeopardized their hopes of a first-round bye. The Rams need to win their next two games - this week at Arizona and at home against the San Francisco 49ers - to wrap up a first-round bye. They can also achieve it with one win and a loss by the Bears. But while all of that is important, of greater significance is the Rams getting back on the right track after dropping their last two games and regaining some momentum heading into the postseason. In those two games, quarterback Jared Goff has turned the ball over seven times and the Rams have committed 14 penalties. "We've got to get it figured out in a hurry," McVay said. "It's guys that are making decisions that, typically, we haven't seen. It's guys that are making mistakes that we typically haven't seen. But, however you cut it, we're all in this together. We've all got to do better and it starts with me. But, we've got to figure it out and that's - all they know how to do is go back to work, work as hard as we possibly can to figure out the solutions and get better for next week." Said Goff: "We have really good leadership. In a time like this, you need it - from players to coaches to strength staff to equipment staff to the training staff. There's good leadership and it allows us to get through stuff like this. This is the first time since Sean has been here that we've lost two in a row. So, we'll see how we respond - I have a pretty good feeling it'll be in a positive way." That said, it's imperative the Rams do just that. Not just for regaining momentum, but also securing a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The two concepts are inter-linked, of course. Getting back on track will also ensure them getting some rest the first week of the postseason. "It's just us out there at the end of the day and we're not making the plays and making mistakes," running back Todd Gurley II said. "Like I said, we just got to go back to work and just keep grinding. We've got two more weeks left, divisional games, so it will tell us a lot about ourselves how we finish the season. Like I said, it's not the end of the world, still 11-3, still like the second-best record in the league. So, no worries over here with us." SERIES HISTORY: 80th regular-season meeting. Rams lead series, 39-38-1. The Rams have won the last three meetings between the clubs.
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