Takeaways from Rams' decline to Payments: No cause to stress, but loads to take care of

The Buffalo Costs defeated the defending Super Bowl winner Rams 31-10 at SoFi Stadium in the very first game of the NFL season Thursday night time.

Here’s what we figured out from the Rams’ defeat:

Rams followers should really not go into stress manner … yet

Look, the very first activity of any season isn’t a predictor of how a group will fare by season’s conclusion.

Then again, moreover the Rams, only two of the previous 10 Tremendous Bowl champs — the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 2014 New England Patriots — missing their openers.

The Rams will nearly undoubtedly even their file Sept. 18 when they perform the Atlanta Falcons at SoFi Stadium.

If the Rams drop, stress totally will be correct.

Sean McVay may possibly want to reconsider his preseason philosophy — if a legitimate Tremendous Bowl contender is the initially opponent

You just can't actually fault the Rams’ sixth-calendar year mentor for not participating in starters in the preseason. McVay’s groups received five openers just after he stored starters out of harm’s way by not exposing them to injuries in meaningless preseason game titles.

But none of all those time-opening opponents have been as powerful as the Payments, who are among the the favorites to access the Super Bowl.

Does the offensive line will need to block greater? Of training course. The Rams will not win quite a few game titles if they continue on to give up seven sacks.

Would the team have benefited from enjoying jointly a little bit for the duration of the preseason?

About that offensive line ...

New starting off left deal with Joe Noteboom was not the only lineman who struggled to hold quarterback Matthew Stafford upright.

McVay and new offensive coordinator Liam Coen stated developing a consistent working recreation was among the their leading priorities this period.

The Rams rushed for a grand total of 52 yards. Darrell Henderson obtained 47 yards in 13 carries, Cam Akers zero yards in three carries.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford watches as Bills’ Von Miller celebrates a sack.

(Wally Skalij/VFAB)

The affliction of Matthew Stafford’s proper arm continues to be an concern

Stafford stated he felt excellent heading into the opener, the tendinitis in is his correct elbow evidently beneath handle or absent.

Had Stafford performed properly, there would be no motive to problem whether or not he was without a doubt 100%.

But a few passes had been intercepted, two on tipped balls. Others had been off target. And however there was no discernible dilemma to the bare eye, until Stafford performs superior, thoughts will stay about the condition of his arm.

Allen Robinson wants a lot more targets

The Rams signed Robinson to replace Robert Woods and enhance star receiver Cooper Kupp.

But Robinson, a ninth-year pro who has eclipsed 1,000 yards getting 3 times, was targeted only two times in opposition to the Payments, catching a person move for 12 yards.

During his professional occupation, Robinson was qualified 3 situations or much less only when before, according to profootballreference.com. In Jacksonville’s 2017 opener, he caught the only go thrown to him right before suffering a season-ending knee personal injury.

Kupp was targeted 15 occasions and had 13 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. Restricted stop Tyler Higbee was qualified 11 situations and had only 5 catches. He dropped two. Receiver Tutu Atwell dropped the only pass that came his way.

Aaron Donald did not engage in like the retiring kind

Donald, who wears No. 99, began his ninth year by recording his 99th vocation sack.

Donald had flirted with retirement just after successful the Tremendous Bowl. The 7-time All-Professional and a few-time NFL defensive participant of the year eventually returned to the Rams following receiving a massive raise.

Inside of linebackers Bobby Wagner and Ernest Jones can be a drive in tandem

Wagner, an 11th-yr pro creating his Rams debut, had 7 tackles, which include a sack.

Jones, a next-12 months pro, compelled a fumble that was recovered by outside the house linebacker Leonard Floyd.

The secondary demands advancement

Cornerback Troy Hill intercepted a go but defensive backs or else struggled from Costs quarterback Josh Allen, a person of the league’s strongest passers and an exceptional runner.

Allen completed 26 of 31 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed for a touchdown.

Allen threw a short scoring move to Isaiah McKenzie, a medium-assortment touchdown go to Gabe Davis and a extensive scoring go to Stefon Diggs.

SoFi Stadium is an attraction — for opposing teams’ fans as effectively

The Rams profit from enjoying in a location as massive as the Southland. But it is property to transplants from all about the state and earth and is also an desirable journey desired destination.

The Rams, accustomed to an onslaught by a visiting team’s supporters — see very last season’s online games towards the San Francisco 49ers — expected a strong turnout from the Payments Mafia. Because of the sound, the Rams operated at instances with a silent count.

It wasn’t the initial time. It will not be the last.