6 key takeaways from Rams’ 27-24 win over Colts

For the fourth year in a row, the Los Angeles Rams are 2-0 after two weeks. They notched a win over the Colts on Sunday afternoon, a narrow 27-24 win on the road.

It’s a game the Rams could’ve very easily lost, but Matthew Stafford came up big late and the defense held strong in the red zone. After a dominant 20-point win over the Bears in Week 1, this game leaves the Rams with some questions to answer.

Here are six key takeaways from the victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Special teams is a huge concern

The Rams are on their third special teams coordinator in three years, but that part of the game remains an issue ever since John Fassel left to join the Cowboys. It was a weak link last year and it hasn’t been any better through two games this season, which is something the Rams must correct. For the second week in a row, the Rams allowed a long return on the opening kickoff, this one a 41-yarder by the Colts. Later in the game, the long snap on a punt hit Nick Scott in the arm and was recovered by the Colts for a touchdown, giving them a 21-17 lead. Tutu Atwell fielded one punt and got blasted immediately, which wasn’t encouraging to see. Fortunately, Matt Gay once again made all of his kicks, drilling two field goals and three PATs. Jake Funk also had a 28-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter to set up the Rams’ game-winning drive.

Sean McVay’s play calling raises questions

McVay is a great play caller. There’s no doubt about that. However, there are times when he makes some questionable calls that make you scratch your head. There were a couple of moments like that on Sunday, which really hurt the Rams and nearly cost them a win. The first sequence that didn’t work out happened after Darrell Henderson’s touchdown when the Rams got the ball back the next two times. The Rams went three-and-out on their next two drives, with McVay calling six consecutive passes after Henderson ran it four straight times to get into the end zone in the third quarter. Then in the fourth, when the Rams were facing a third-and-2 from the Colts’ 15-yard line, tied at 24. McVay called a jet sweep to Cooper Kupp, who was tackled for a 5-yard loss and forced the Rams to settle for a field goal. McVay admitted he wishes he came up with a better call there after the game, knowing it was a bad play in hindsight.

Sony Michel signing already paying off

It’s a story we’ve all heard before, but Henderson is injured again. He hurt his ribs in the fourth quarter and was forced to leave the game, never returning after heading to the locker room. Michel replaced him down the stretch and actually ran the ball well, gaining 46 yards on only 10 carries, including an 11-yard rush. Jake Funk was out there on a couple of third-down plays, too, but it was Michel who relieved Henderson. McVay said during the week, he didn’t plan for Michel to have a big role against the Colts, but they acquired him because of Henderson’s injury history. If Henderson misses extended time, it’ll be Michel who takes on a bigger share of the touches in the backfield, becoming the starting running back.

Cooper Kupp has become WR1

The Matthew Stafford-Cooper Kupp connection has already blossomed in only two games, with the two of them hooking up for three touchdowns so far. They were on the same page all game long on Sunday against the Colts, with Kupp going off for nine catches and 163 yards with two touchdowns. He has been phenomenal this season, from his route running to his elusiveness after the catch to his strong hands. Kupp has never been to a Pro Bowl, but this could be his first season being voted into the NFL’s all-star game. Robert Woods is still a critical part of this offense, but Kupp looks like he’s emerged as Stafford’s favorite target.

Pass rush proves relentless

The Colts have a very good offensive line, but the Rams made it look like a weakness of this team. They had three sacks on Carson Wentz and a few others that could’ve easily gone for sacks if the quarterback wasn’t an escape artist, avoiding sacks left and right. Wentz was hit 11 times and under constant pressure throughout the game, whether it was from Aaron Donald on the interior, Leonard Floyd off the edge or blitzers from the secondary. Donald wasn’t even one of the players with a sack, despite hitting Wentz three times. Taylor Rapp and Greg Gaines split a sack, Floyd had one and Sebastian Joseph-Day had one that came on a nice interior rush from the nose tackle.

Defense bends (again) but doesn’t break

That’s been the mantra so far in two weeks, with the defense giving up some yards but not allowing opponents to get into the end zone very easily. They stopped the Colts on fourth down from the 1-yard line after Indianapolis tried to run it in three times, getting stuffed by the defensive line. Then later in the game, Wentz threw an interception to Troy Reeder on an ill-advised shovel pass near the 5-yard line. At one point, the Colts had seven goal-to-go plays and came away with zero points. The defense only allowed one touchdown and two field goals, with the Colts’ other touchdown coming on special teams. It wasn’t a great performance from the defense, but they held when they needed to, including at the end with Jalen Ramsey’s game-sealing interception.

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