The Los Angeles Rams Have Zero Room For Error

The Los Angeles Rams are 2-4 and sitting near the bottom of the NFC West. So what exactly went wrong? On this episode of 4th & Football, Kyle Crabbs and Garret Greenlee take a full four-down deep dive into the Rams, what's gone wrong through six games, what needs to change, and whether Los Angeles can still salvage its season. FIRST DOWN focuses on the Rams' offense. Matthew Stafford is putting up impressive volume numbers, but the guys believe his play has been far too inconsistent. They discuss missed throws, questionable decisions and a red-zone opportunity against Arizona that could have changed the game. The bigger concern is the Rams' offensive identity. Why are the Rams throwing the ball on third-and-one with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum available? Why does this offense look like it is still trying to figure out what it wants to be despite Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua and Sean McVay having years of continuity together? The Rams entered the season with massive expectations, but they are now 2-4 after losing to Arizona at home. SECOND DOWN asks whether the defense deserves any of the blame. The answer is mostly no. The Rams have allowed just 52 rushing yards to the Giants and 78 to Denver, while ranking near the top of the NFL in yards allowed. They have also forced six turnovers through six games. The guys believe the defense has generally done enough to keep Los Angeles competitive, but injuries are becoming a major problem. Puna Ford is done for the season, Kobie Turner is on injured reserve, and the Rams are relying heavily on their remaining interior defensive linemen. Myles Garrett's eventual return could dramatically change the pass rush. But special teams have also become a major problem. The Rams are allowing opponents to start drives around their own 34-yard line on average after kickoffs, one of the worst marks in the NFL. The guys explain how that hidden field-position problem is putting even more pressure on the defense. THIRD DOWN focuses on what the Rams need to change. The guys question the heavy use of 12- and 13-personnel, especially with Davante Adams sidelined and rookie tight end Terrence Ferguson on injured reserve. With Adams expected to miss significant time, Kyle argues that the Rams may need to explore the trade market rather than simply wait for their injured players to return. The guys also discuss Kyren Williams' frustration after the Arizona loss and whether cracks could begin to appear inside the locker room if the Rams continue losing. FOURTH DOWN looks at the Rams' remaining schedule and whether the season can still be saved. The Rams face Las Vegas, the Chargers, Washington and Arizona before their Week 11 bye. The guys believe Los Angeles needs to win all four and enter the bye at 6-4. After that comes a brutal stretch featuring Green Bay, Kansas City, San Francisco and Dallas. The guys believe going 2-2 through that stretch could leave Los Angeles at 8-6 heading into the final three games and potentially give them a path to 10 wins. But there is almost no room for error. The guys ultimately compare the Rams' situation to the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles' "Dream Team," another preseason Super Bowl favorite that started 2-4 and ultimately disappointed. They finish by making their Thursday Night Football prediction for New England vs. Chicago. Can the Rams still save their season? How many wins will it take to make the playoffs? And is Sean McVay's team about to become one of the biggest disappointments in recent NFL history? Let us know what you think. This is 4th & Football with Kyle Crabbs and Garret Greenlee.