NFL1h ago
Rams Struggle to Match Preseason Expectations After 2-4 Start
Los Angeles has dropped four of its first six games, including a home loss to the Cardinals that has prompted questions about the team's readiness to contend.
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Slow Start Raises Concerns
The Rams opened the season with defeats to three strong opponents before falling 18-16 at home to a 1-4 Cardinals squad. Those early results came against teams that rank among the NFL's top six in win-loss record since 2025. The latest setback occurred without the benefit of turnovers or key injuries swinging the outcome, leaving the club last in the NFC West and prompting deeper examination of its performance.
Stafford's Production Drops
Matthew Stafford ranked fourth in Total QBR last season but sits 14th through six games this year. He has thrown six interceptions already, compared with eight across 17 games in 2025. His precise pass rate when unpressured has slipped from 18th to 28th, while his yards per attempt on deep throws fell from 15.5 to 9.7. Completion percentage over expectation on those deep attempts has moved from plus-5.8 percent to minus-8.5 percent, and he has four interceptions on deep shots after recording just one all of last year.
Blitz and Extended Play Issues
Stafford's Total QBR against the blitz has declined from sixth to 22nd. On throws after four or more seconds, his rating stands at 2.8, down from a 65.7 mark that ranked 12th a year ago. The Rams have also reduced designed bootlegs and naked plays by roughly 30 percent. Reaching the Super Bowl would require the team to become the first in the Super Bowl era to win its conference after a losing record through six weeks.
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