Pop stars, legends, and celebrities flocked to SoFi Stadium for the Rams' Monday night party. Almost everything you need for a Hollywood football party that is broadcast globally.
They were the only thing lacking.
The Rams had the opportunity to demonstrate their championship credentials, but they failed to do so.
The NFL's hottest and most entertaining teams were expected to make a spectacular appearance, and the football world was eagerly anticipating it. and they were given a pass.
The Rams gave the struggling Miami Dolphins a blue-and-gold platter, but they mishandled the trade, dropped the bright opportunity with a loud clang, messed up the entire place, and lost 23-15 in a game that was as ugly as the result.
"It sucks," guard Steve Avila explained.
Yes, it is
Exactly zero touchdowns were scored by an offense that was conceived by the brilliant Sean McVay and constructed by the fiery Matthew Stafford. For the first time in more than two years, a marriage was kept out of the end zone.
"Caringless? "Yes," McVay responded.
Stafford, who threw one interception and averaged barely five yards per completion, was subjected to four sacks and persistent pressure from an offensive line that was finally beginning to make sense with the return of two starters.
They committed six penalties for 64 yards, including an illegal procedure by lineman Beaux Limmer that cost them a field goal, despite having a smart culture and rarely making stupid mistakes.
There were just too many things going on, and we never allowed ourselves a break.
"Caringless? "Yes," McVay responded.
Stafford, who threw one interception and averaged barely five yards per completion, was subjected to four sacks and persistent pressure from an offensive line that was finally beginning to make sense with the return of two starters.
They committed six penalties for 64 yards, including an illegal procedure by lineman Beaux Limmer that cost them a field goal, despite having a smart culture and rarely making stupid mistakes.
There were just too many things going on, and we never allowed ourselves a break.
As soon as the game started, they were off.
The Dolphins had the first possession of the game and scored on an 18-yard jet-screen run by Malik Washington after the Rams let them drive the field.
The Rams' first play? Stafford passed to Kyren Williams in the backfield, but he was buried for a 10-yard loss right away.
"Obviously, you didn't want to lose by 10 yards on the game's opening play. It is difficult to play football in that manner," Stafford remarked.
It appeared as though the Rams never bounced back, hardly resembling the squad that had overcome a 1-4 start to win three straight games and position itself to finally dominate an unreliable NFC West.
After being yanked back to reality, they will spend the rest of the week at 4-5, trailing the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers with games remaining against both, as well as the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.
They're still in the postseason picture, but their margin for mistake is shrinking as quickly as McVay's voice.
"We can't dwell on this, 'Oh no, woe is me,'" said rookie edge rusher Jared Verse. "We have to move on."
Fortunately, it's a short week, with a trip to New England scheduled for this weekend. Indeed, they won't have much time to analyze a game in which they had all their offensive weapons complimenting their furious youthful defense, a game in which they were correctly favored and should have won.
The Dolphins had the first possession of the game and scored on an 18-yard jet-screen run by Malik Washington after the Rams let them drive the field.
The Rams' first play? Stafford passed to Kyren Williams in the backfield, but he was buried for a 10-yard loss right away.
"Obviously, you didn't want to lose by 10 yards on the game's opening play. It is difficult to play football in that manner," Stafford remarked.
It appeared as though the Rams never bounced back, hardly resembling the squad that had overcome a 1-4 start to win three straight games and position itself to finally dominate an unreliable NFC West.
After being yanked back to reality, they will spend the rest of the week at 4-5, trailing the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers with games remaining against both, as well as the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.
They're still in the postseason picture, but their margin for mistake is shrinking as quickly as McVay's voice.
"We can't dwell on this, 'Oh no, woe is me,'" said rookie edge rusher Jared Verse. "We have to move on."
Fortunately, it's a short week, with a trip to New England scheduled for this weekend. Indeed, they won't have much time to analyze a game in which they had all their offensive weapons complimenting their furious youthful defense, a game in which they were correctly favored and should have won.
The Dolphins had lost six of their last seven games; their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, was being investigated for several concussions, and the speedy receiver Tyreek Hill was playing with a torn wrist.
Not only did you blow this opportunity, but you did it without even scoring a touchdown. This felt similar to the 31-point blowout in Arizona earlier this year. Championship teams don't fumble that much, especially twice in nine games, so you have to wonder.
"Whatever I say is going to be an excuse," McVay said. "We have to be better."
Aside from football, it was a fairly memorable night.
First, there was a fitting minute of respect for the renowned former USC and Rams coach, John Robinson, who died Monday.
Not only did you blow this opportunity, but you did it without even scoring a touchdown. This felt similar to the 31-point blowout in Arizona earlier this year. Championship teams don't fumble that much, especially twice in nine games, so you have to wonder.
"Whatever I say is going to be an excuse," McVay said. "We have to be better."
Aside from football, it was a fairly memorable night.
First, there was a fitting minute of respect for the renowned former USC and Rams coach, John Robinson, who died Monday.
Though Robinson's more local renown came as a Trojan national championship coach in 1978, he is a huge part of Rams history, having coached more Rams games than anyone else (153), with a record 79 wins until McVay surpassed him earlier this season.
As the game progressed, the video board did what the Rams offense couldn't: it ran wild with stars.
Aaron Donald was seen leading cheers. Mookie Betts was seen leading with "Moooos."
LeBron James was featured, Marshall Faulk was interviewed, and the "I Can Make Your Hands Clap" group, Fitz and the Tantrums, rocked the stadium at halftime.
The Rams defense, too, kept fans cheering by limiting the explosive Dolphin attack to 238 yards. The trouble is, if the offensive line can't keep Stafford adequate protection. If Stafford does not improve his ability to adjust to Cooper Kupp's and Puka Nacua's blanket coverage, this squad may struggle.
As the game progressed, the video board did what the Rams offense couldn't: it ran wild with stars.
Aaron Donald was seen leading cheers. Mookie Betts was seen leading with "Moooos."
LeBron James was featured, Marshall Faulk was interviewed, and the "I Can Make Your Hands Clap" group, Fitz and the Tantrums, rocked the stadium at halftime.
The Rams defense, too, kept fans cheering by limiting the explosive Dolphin attack to 238 yards. The trouble is, if the offensive line can't keep Stafford adequate protection. If Stafford does not improve his ability to adjust to Cooper Kupp's and Puka Nacua's blanket coverage, this squad may struggle.
"There wasn't any sort of semblance of complementary football," according to McVay. "That's where we have to be able to improve."
Even when the Rams were good, they were still bad. Christian Rozeboom intercepted Tagovailoa early in the second quarter, allowing them to gain momentum... However, shortly later, they handed it back due to a Williams fumble.
"One play here and there can make a difference, and we just didn't do enough," Stafford said of the entire squad.
During his post-game press conference, Stafford wore a blue baseball cap backward. On the other side, there was the Dodgers logo.
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