Rams Lose Again, 16-14 To Raiders

For St. Louis Rams fans that may have missed the Rams game today it was all too familiar. The Rams lost again this time to the Oakland Raiders 16-14 behind backup quarterback Brad Gradkowski. The Rams have only won one game since October 19,2008, almost two full calendar years. Over that course of time the Rams have lost 27 of their last 28 games. Many will say the Rams played hard on Sunday, they should of won, they could of won, it was close, etc. but bottom line is they continue to lose. All the same familiar causes were once again present on Sunday. The Rams defense allowed long drives with the game on the line (4 drives over 40 yards in the 3rd quarter). The Rams defense was not opportunistic as they dropped a couple of interceptions and failed to fall on any of the Raiders three fumbles. The Rams defense allowed a backup running back, this time Darren McFadden to run all over them (145 yards). The Rams offense tried to feature Steven Jackson who had 21 touches for 125 yards but could only totaled 210 total yards for the game. 210 yards against the Oakland Raiders who allowed 38 points just last week to the Tennessee Titans. Rams wide receivers could not get open as they only had 7 receptions for the game. Eight penalties for 92 yards many of them costing the Rams more than the yards even show. The offense with poor execution converting only twice on ten 3rd down attempts. Costly miss tackles costing the Rams any chance for a comeback.

The Rams dominated most of the first have playing smash mouth football and featuring Steven Jackson. The Rams took a 7-0 on an 7 yard pass from Sam Bradford to Mark Clayton with 12:04 left in the half. Steven Jackson had 12 touches at this point and the Rams seemed to be already wearing down the Raiders. So why did Jackson only touch the ball nine time over the final 42 minutes of play? I know Jackson can't carry the ball 40 times but while it is working maybe we could get a lead and open up the passing game. Instead the Rams went into a shell and only gained 42 total yards on drives started in the 2nd and 3rd quarter.

The Rams held a 7-3 lead at half time and were playing a pretty solid game especially on defense. When the second half opened the Raiders came out with Brad Gradkowski at quarterback after benching Jason Campbell. It was as a light switch went off and the Raiders went to work. The Raiders marched right down the field and got a FG from Sebastian Janikowski to cut the lead to 7-6. After an awful drive from the Rams that started 1st and 5 after an Oakland penalty the Rams went 3-and-out and the Raiders went straight down the field again. This time the Raiders went 83 yards on 7 plays capping the drive with a Brab Gradkowski 4 yard pass to Louis Murphy to give the Raiders a 13-7 lead.

After gaining only 5 yards in the 4th quarter the Rams got the ball back with 4:05 remaining down 16-7 with an interception from Jerome Murphy. The Rams quickly drove down the field and scored on another Sam Bradford to mark Clayton touchdown pass. Mark Clayton had two catches for the game both for touchdowns, I am not sure why we could not get him the ball more. After the Rams scored with 3:18 remaining the Raiders took over on their own 18 yard line. The Rams could not get the ball back from the Raiders. They forced the Raiders into 1 3rd and 7 with 2:46 to play but Brad Gradkowski hit Louis Murphy for a 13 yard gain.

So make sure to tune in next week as we will do it all over again against the Washington Redskins.

By Stlvinnie - http://www.stlouisramfan.com