The Los Angeles Rams were able to defeat a division rival in Week 1, but they fell short of improving to 2-0. Despite putting up a nice effort, the Rams were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers, 30-23, in Week 2.
The Rams kept the game within reach for the majority portion of the contest before making a couple of miscues. Matthew Stafford threw his first interception of the season in the second half and the offense couldn’t find its rhythm after that.
Buy Rams TicketsFollowing Sunday’s loss to the 49ers, here are the studs and duds from the Rams in Week 2.
Stud: RB Kyren Williams
Cam Akers was a healthy scratch before Sunday’s game kicked off and reports suggest his tenure with the Rams is nearing a close. So Kyren Williams got the nod as starter after looking like the better back in Week 1, and he looked good again in Week 2.
Williams finished with 100 yards from scrimmage and another two touchdowns after a two-touchdown performance in last week’s win over the Seahawks. Outside of a dropped pass that turned into an interception from Stafford, Williams secured his spot as the starting back because of his dual-threat ability and his ability in pass protection.
Stud: WR Puka Nacua
Puka Nacua is breaking records in his first two games in the NFL. The rookie wideout hauled in 15 passes for 147 yards on 20 targets on Sunday against the 49ers, setting the NFL record for most receptions in a player’s first two games in the league with 25.
With Cooper Kupp sidelined, Nacua has been asked to handle a massive workload, and it’s safe to say he’s delivered as Stafford’s current go-to option.
Stud: WR Tutu Atwell
Is Tutu Atwell developing into a legitimate NFL wideout before our eyes? The speedy pass-catcher followed up a 119-yard performance in Week 1 with a 77-yard outing in Week 2 versus the 49ers.
Sean McVay continues to do a phenomenal job scheming up ways to make the most of Atwell’s speed. At the same time, Atwell is proving he deserves to maintain a role in the passing game, even when Kupp returns.
Stud: Offensive line
The offensive line continues to exceed expectations early in the season for the Rams. Before Joe Noteboom exited with an injury, the Rams had yet to surrender a sack this season and Stafford had plenty of time to make throws.
Once Noteboom was replaced by Tremayne Anchrum at the right guard spot, Stafford was under duress, and McVay had to lean on the quick passing game even more. Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein deserve a ton of credit for keeping Nick Bosa quiet, too.
Stud: OLB Byron Young
The Rams were desperate to find someone to rely on off of the edge this season, and Byron Young is flashing plenty of potential in the first two weeks. Following a debut where he posted four combined tackles and half a sack in Week 1, Young notched five tackles and a sack versus the 49ers.
The rookie edge rusher will look to continue his stretch of success against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.
Dud: Van Jefferson
While Nacua and Atwell put together productive performances again in Week 2, Van Jefferson was quiet for the second straight game. Jefferson was expected to see an expanded role when Kupp was placed on injured reserve, but he’s totaled only five receptions for 33 yards in the first two weeks.
It should be noted that Jefferson isn’t getting the same things schemed up for him that Nacua and Atwell are getting. On the other hand, he hasn’t made things easy for himself with the drops he’s had to begin the season.
Dud: Tyler Higbee
Another skill player who hasn’t contributed much to begin the season is Tyler Higbee. The veteran tight end has tallied only six catches for 61 yards in the first two games, with a mere 12 receiving yards on three receptions in Week 2.
Higbee has never been a supreme athlete, but Stafford is also looking for Nacua and Atwell on third downs more than the experienced tight end. When Kupp returns, Higbee’s role in the aerial attack may decline even further with the emergence of Nacua and Atwell.
Dud: Run defense
Every time the 49ers play against the Rams, Los Angeles struggles to stop the physical run game of its divisional foes. Christian McCaffrey concluded the game with 116 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts, including a 51-yard run in the first half.
Along with McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel had 38 yards and a touchdown on five attempts. The 49ers finished with 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 attempts, and they seemingly were able to convert the majority of their short-yardage situations against the new-look defensive front of the Rams.
