Rams 3 Eagles 38 Week one POSTGAME
September 7, 2008 by Femi Fasoyinu
Filed under NFL Football, Rams
The Rams started off the 2008 season on the wrong foot, suffering an embarrassing 38-3 defeat by the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly.
It was a game where the Rams never got into any rhythm on offense or defense, from start to finish. The Rams had only 166 total net yards compared to the Eagles 522. In time of the possession the Eagles had over ten minutes more with the ball, with a 35:10 to 24:50 clock advantage.
Some other key stats to consider:
-Rams only managed 8 first downs.
-Rams committed 9 penalties.
-Rams did not convert a single third downs, going 0-11.
The last stat, going 0-11 on third downs, is the one that really hurts. If you want to sustain drives and score points in the NFL, you have to convert on third downs. The Rams did not accomplish that today.
How did their stars far? Bulger was 14/26 for 156 yards and a fumble. Steven Jackson was 14 for 49 yards running (2.9 average) to go along with 3 catches for 34 yards receiving, which gave him 83 total yards for the day. How did Rams star wideout Torry Holt fair you ask?
He had a dismal performance, having one catch for 9 yards. Talk about taking one of your biggest weapons out of the game.
The Rams 2nd overall pick in the 2008 draft, DE Chris Long had two tackles and no sacks.
Although the Eagles are a favourite in the ultra competitive NFC East, the Rams performance was way below what a team’s effort should be in a season opener, especially a team that is coming off a tough, injured plagued 3-13 season.
They have to cut down the mental mistakes (9 penalties) and the defense has to step up and make plays. Other than James Hall (8 tackles) and safety Oshiomogho Atogwe (8 tackles and one forced fumble) no one else on D showed up.
This could be a very long season in the Midwest if they can’t learn to limit mistakes and control the offensive and defensive lines.
Expect a heavy film session and a back to the basics approach for coach Linehan and his team in preparation for next game at home against the Super Bowl champs NY Giants.
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September 7th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Extremely tough start, but I guess you have nowhere to go but up! Regardless, I really expected much more of a fight from STL. Paging Stephen Jackson!
September 7th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I watched a good chunk of this game considering they are a Cowboys rival. Rams showed no emotion, it was actually quite sad. Their body language said it all to me after the first quarter. They seemed to quit. Eagles on the other hand saw this and jumped on their throats.
September 8th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Bulgar wasn’t to pressed much when the Eagles rushed just 4 yet he still didnt set his feet to make good solid passes.
September 10th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Femi Marshall Faulk was on the Radio today in St Louis and suggested that this team should be better than it is and that it might be time to “blow it up”
September 10th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Yeah no one showed up. I would tend to believe your thought about it going up, but we shall see. There are no easy games in the NFL.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Yeah the Rams got dominated…need to show a better effort. Even though that the Eagles are a surefire Super Bowl contender, barring McNabb’s health, IMO.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Bulger’s mechanics have come under fire more and more these days. He is working with a new QB coach so maybe there are some adjustments he is dealing with there. It is definitely something to keep an eye on though.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I don’t think you blow up the team…yet. What this team needs is to get everyone on the same page. They have some talented players but everyone, at least for the first week seem uninterested. No effort at all. We will have to see at the mid way point, then we will have a better idea what direction this team wants to go.
September 11th, 2008 at 3:58 am
I am also wondering if he was just rushing himself because he didnt trust his o-line.
September 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
There is probably a lot going into his mind behind that o-line. Other than Pace, it would be interesting which of those offensive linemen he actually trusts that will keep him upright.