Despite the debuts of Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller, the Los Angeles Rams lose for the second time in a row. After a successful start to the season, the franchise has hit rock bottom. A lot of work lies ahead for head coach Sean McVay in the bye week.

Munich – The Los Angeles Rams were long considered the “team to beat” in the current NFL season.

Hardly any other team exuded as much dominance at the start of the season as Head Coach Sean McVay’s. While the other favourites like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers revealed problems especially on the defensive side, the Rams were considered to be in top shape on both sides of the field.

In the past two games, however, that image crumbled. They suffered bitter defeats against the Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49ers. Now even the last Ram should have understood that the season will not be a sure-fire success despite the strong start.

Rams in search of identity

“I don’t want to believe we’re the team we’ve presented ourselves as the last two weeks,” Coach McVay said after the crushing loss to the 49ers in the Monday Night Game. “I just don’t want to believe it, even though you’re really only as good as your last game shows. “

And he admitted: “The last two weeks have grounded us.”

Indeed, the Rams recently did not present themselves like the unassailable top team they gave the impression of in the first few weeks. Especially on the offensive side, the engine was sputtering.

While Matthew Stafford and Co. previously averaged over 29 points on the scoreboard, in weeks nine and ten it was only 26 – on both matchdays combined. Even the playmaker himself no longer seems as free as in the weeks before.

Stafford: “Wants to get better to lead the team “

At the same time, the quarterback, who was shipped to the City of Angels from the Detroit Lions before the season, is emblematic of the small slump. Over the first eight weeks, Stafford threw 22 touchdowns with only four interceptions. For a long time, he was also considered a possible MVP candidate.

However, the veteran is now making more and more mistakes. He threw a total of four interceptions against the Titans and the 49ers. The ease seems to have finally evaporated. “We’ve got to worry about the first ten games,” he told “ESPN” after the Niners game.

“I need to clear my head a little bit and then come back stronger and recharged,” the 33-year-old said. After the bye week, the Rams have a tough game at the Green Bay Packers on the agenda.

For Stafford, one thing is clear: “I have to reflect on both the good and the bad. I want to get better again to lead the team.” Especially since Los Angeles could use some good leadership on the upcoming remaining schedule.

Strong start to the season just dazzle grenades?

A look at the Rams’ schedule shows: The tough part of the regular season is just ahead. Critics accuse the Rams of picking up a majority of their wins against weaker opponents in the NFL.

In fact, there was only one win against a team with a positive record (after ten games). While the Rams did beat the reigning Super Bowl champions here in Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, that’s offset by several wins with little to show for it.

Successes against the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans were also achieved by several other teams this season. In addition, the important division duel against the Arizona Cardinals was clearly lost.

In addition to the Packers clash, LA will have to face the Cardinals and 49ers as well as the Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings. During the bye week, McVay will have to come up with a plan to get the star ensemble back on the same page.

McVay demands: Stars must deliver

There’s no denying that the Rams have one of the best squads in the league, at least after the signings of Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller. The coaching staff has to make sure that the star players get their horsepower on the road.

McVay has already given his players a stern talking-to: “We haven’t made enough plays. Our best players are not performing like they used to at the moment,” said the 35-year-old. The mission for the superstars is clear: Despite the top-class new arrivals, there are no excuses.

McVay now expects a reaction from his stars after the bye week to nip a potential crisis in the bud: “The last few games will only do as much damage as we allow. We’re going to go out and fucking hit back!”

The Rams have it in their own hands how they handle the first major setback of the season. If McVay and Stafford manage to flip the switch, the team has the potential to be the absolute favourites for the Super Bowl. However, the past few weeks have also revealed the other side of the coin.

For now, the Rams have come down to earth.