THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Rams got back to work on Monday after their bye week, sitting pretty at 5-2 and tied for first place atop the NFC West.
The key now: Maintain the momentum they built while constructing their best start in 13 years, which includes leading the NFL in scoring at 30.3 points per game and surrendering only 39 points over their last 14 quarters.
"I think there's a lot of good stuff going on right now and that's what it is. I think we want to try to keep that momentum going and how you do that is you take things one day at a time, one game at a time," Rams head coach Sean McVay said.
"Our focus right now is getting ready for a New York Giants team that (is) well led by Coach (Ben) McAdoo. Having gone against him the last couple years just being in that division, you know what they're capable of, they're an 11-win team. In this league it doesn't matter, they've got great players and we've got to be ready to go. Traveling on a Friday, we've got to make sure that we have good focus and concentration as we prepare for them starting on Wednesday, because the players will be off again tomorrow and then we'll come back Wednesday and resume our normal schedule."
The key to the former is their revamped offensive line continuing its brilliant work protecting second-year quarterback Jared Goff and opening holes for running back Todd Gurley II, and both Goff and Gurley staying on track toward their mutually breakout seasons.
Goff, written off as a bust after a disastrous rookie season, is a changed man working behind the reconstructed offensive line and surrounded by a bevy of new playmakers -- including wide receivers Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp and the rejuvenated Gurley.
The first overall pick in the 2016 draft, Goff has thrown for 1,719 yards and nine touchdowns against just four interceptions. Miraculously, he's been sacked only 10 times through seven games after going down 26 times over the seven games he started as a rookie.
The better protection, combined with more perimeter weapons and the creative offense under McVay, has put Goff back on path to being the franchise quarterback the Rams envisioned upon drafting him and, just as important, has completely turned the Rams franchise around.
As good as Goff has been, though, Gurley has been equally impressive while bouncing back from a horrendous sophomore season last year to reclaim his standing as one of the best running backs in the NFL.
Gurley has 627 yards and five touchdowns on the ground while adding 293 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Provided both Goff and Gurley can maintain their level of play, there's no reason to think the Rams can't remain in the thick of the NFC West division and NFC playoff chase.
They resume play off the bye against the New York Giants in New Jersey Sunday to conclude three straight games and one full month away from Los Angeles.
Beyond that, a matchup with the suddenly offensively dangerous Houston Texans awaits at the Coliseum in two weeks.
The stage is set for the Rams to make a legitimate playoff run, especially with their defense getting back on track after a shaky start.
The key now: Maintaining.
--Running back Lance Dunbar, who is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, officially returned to practice on Monday. In doing so, it begins a 21-day clock in which the Rams either have to activate him to the active roster or keep him on PUP for the rest of the season.
Dunbar was a key free-agent addition this past offseason from the Dallas Cowboys and was expected to play a big role as a third-down back behind Todd Gurley. But the effects of a knee injury he suffered last season lingered into OTAs, training camp and the first seven weeks of the regular season to nullify him as an option.
It seems likely the Rams will eventually activate Dunbar given his skill set, fresh legs and how new Rams head coach Sean McVay can figure out a way to utilize him. To do so, though, they'd have to release a player from their active roster and that gets dicey considering the options are so limited. One option would be cutting rookie running back Justin Davis and hoping he slips through the waiver wire and the Rams can add him to the practice squad.
"The plan is you've got really those three weeks to kind of decide," McVay said. "It can be as soon as tomorrow or as late as those three weeks. I think what's great about that timetable we have is it gives us a chance to evaluate him, see how he handles it. Just today, kind of just glancing, it looked like he was moving around pretty good. Everything that we've gotten from (trainer) Reggie (Scott), as far as just where he's at physically - very encouraging. He's done a great job with his rehab and how that effects what we do on the roster is something that's going to be determined moving toward the latter half of the week and (general manager) Les (Snead) and I will sit down and talk about that."
--Wide receiver Robert Woods has been everything the Rams expected upon signing him as a free agent during the offseason. The veteran pass-catcher has 27 catches for 381 yards and has provided the leadership the Rams were hoping he'd provide.
"He's been great. I've always been a big fan of Robert since going back to the production that he had at USC," said Rams head coach Sean McVay. "I think he's a great separator, has the ability to make everything look the same with great body control - very reliable, competes in the run game. You can see why he's been a big part of what we've been able to do on third downs, first down, second down. He's been a big part of our offense and I think he's got a great way about himself, just the way that he's goes about his daily work, his daily business.
"I think he's influencing, affecting his teammates in the right way. He's been everything and more than what we had hoped when we got him in free agency. I think the other thing that says as much about him anything else - we talked about this with the team, it'll probably embarrass him, but makes a mistake in the Washington game just in terms of just the way we want to handle things with you guys right away, takes that accountability and then on a short week how does he respond? With one of his best performances against the 49ers. I think he's played really good football since then and you win with players like Robert Woods. We feel really good to have him on our team."
REPORT CARD AFTER 7 GAMES
--PASSING OFFENSE: B-plus - The Rams have completely altered the narrative of their offense by adding a strong passing game to their offense. And in the process uncovered a franchise quarterback in Jared Goff. The second-year QB has thrown for 1,719 yards and nine touchdowns against just four interceptions and is the beneficiary of an improved offensive line and a bevy of new wide receivers like Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Sammy Watkins. All signs are pointing up for the Rams as a result.
--RUSHING OFFENSE: B - The Rams spent all offseason fielding questions whether RB Todd Gurley II was nothing more than a one-year wonder after his production dropped as dramatically as it did after a strong rookie season. Those questions have been put to bed with Gurley rushing for 627 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, they've figured out a way to spring Tavon Austin, who is averaging 5.4 yards on 25 carries and as a team have rushed for 893 yards on a 4.2 yards-per-carry clip.
--PASS DEFENSE: C - The Rams are ranked 24th in pass defense giving up 205 yards per game through the air. But there is a bit of a disclaimer. The Rams' offense has had leads and the defense has been good at run defense. That means opposing offenses have had to play catch-up without the benefit of the run. And that's driven up the pass yardage, although, of late, the Rams have been able to build a wall at the end zone relative to points given up.
--RUSH DEFENSE: A - The Rams are eighth in the NFL giving up just 123 yards per game on the ground, and that's after a shaky transition to Wade Phillips' 3-4 defense. But a dominant front line led by DT Aaron Donald and fast, aggressive linebackers led by Alec Ogletree have improved each week and the Rams have now become one of the best run defenses in the NFL.
--SPECIAL TEAMS: A - K Greg Zuerlein is 21 of 22 on field-goal attempts, P Johnny Hekker is averaging 47.9 yards per punt and the Rams have returned a kickoff for a touchdown, blocked a punt for a touchdown, forced a fumble on a punt and converted a first down on a fake punt. Game in and game out the Rams special teams have been an asset.
--COACHING: A - The Rams under new head coach Sean McVay have been prepared, efficient and effective in all three phases of the game. A morbid offense is now one of the best in the NFL. The defense has played dominantly the last three games and special teams is among the best in the NFL. Players have bought into the message and improved tremendously.
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