Jared Goff played better, but the Rams still lost

Despite playing a much better game, Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams came up short on the road to the Seattle Seahawks, 30-29.

Coming off a four-turnover game in a 55-40 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jared Goff faced plenty of criticism for his play early in the season. Despite the Los Angeles Rams 3-1 record heading into Thursday night’s game. Goff turned the ball over in 13 consecutive games, including the playoffs, and there was growing concern that the Rams signed him to a massive contract too soon.

On Thursday night, Goff played his best game of the season, but still lost the game after an unlucky turnover in the final minutes of the game saw them fall to the Seattle Seahawks, 30-29. The turnover nor the loss should fall on Goff, as he overcame a slow start to the game and played a turnover-free game until a brutal drop by his reliable tight end.

Even after that pick, Goff got the ball back at his own 7-yard line with 1:38 seconds left in the game and no timeouts. He proceeded to drive them 67 yards down the field and put them in position to win the game with a field goal. However, the ever reliable Greg Zuerlein uncharacteristically missed a 44-yard field goal to see the Rams fall to 3-2.

Goff went 29-for-49, for 395 yards and one touchdown and a lone interception coming off a dropped pass by Gerald Everett on a perfectly thrown pass, and a ridiculous, juggling interception by Seahawks defensive back Tedric Thompson.

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Goff’s yards and completions haven’t been the problem recently, so those numbers aren’t a surprise. It was how comfortable he looked as the game progressed in a hostile environment, coming off a short-week against an improving defense.

Head coach Sean McVay got Todd Gurley going, who had more carries in the first quarter of the Seahawks game then the entirety of the loss to Tampa. Getting the run game going takes some pressure off Goff, and McVay went away from his typical 11-personnel package and used his two, talented tight ends in 12-personnel, which worked swimmingly throughout the game.

Goff is far from the best athlete at the quarterback position and struggles to create plays when the pocket collapses, and having an o-line that is a work in progress is a great reason why this offense is not up to his usual efficient levels. But we saw an o-line provide time for Goff in the second half, and they did everything they could to win the game.

The Rams got the loss, but Jared Goff proved a lot in this contest. Playing a great game and shaking off an interception late in the game to lead a last minute drive was impressive. He even showed great leadership when Zuerlein missed the kick, quickly rushing on the field with positive body language despite losing consecutive games.

Teams and players learn a lot about themselves after losses, and Jared Goff bounced back with a solid performance. We’ll see if he and McVay can build off this game and carry it into another massive interdivision game next week against the San Francisco 49ers.