Enemy Reaction 2017: Los Angeles Rams

The Seattle Seahawks sit atop the NFC West following a 16-10 nailbiting win over the Los Angeles Rams, marking Seattle’s first road win of the season, plus a first road victory over the Rams since 2013, and we all know how that season ended.

When Seattle won 14-9 at St. Louis despite 135 yards of offense and 7 sacks, I was so steamed that I didn’t even bother with an Enemy Reaction. That’s not happening this time around. Game thread comments from Rams fans are courtesy of Turf Show Times.

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Earl Thomas is amazing (0-0)

Tanner McEvoy gets picked off by Cody Davis (0-0)

Tavon Austin scores a touchdown on a 3rd and 11 run (7-0 LAR)

Tavon Austin muffs his second punt of the game, but this time the Seahawks recover (7-0 LAR)

Russell Wilson throws an interception to John Johnson, leading to a Rams field goal (10-0 LAR)

Seahawks offense responds with a Russell Wilson touchdown to Jimmy Graham (10-7 SEA)

Greg Zuerlein misses a 36-yard field goal (10-10)

Sheldon Richardson picks off Jared Goff (13-10 SEA)

Earl Thomas plays center field (13-10 SEA)

Frank Clark strip-sacks Jared Goff, Sheldon Richardson recovers the ball, Seattle kicks a field goal (16-10 SEA)

Cooper Kupp can’t haul in the potential game-winning touchdown (16-10 SEA)

Jared Goff throws incomplete on 4th and 10, Seahawks win! (16-10 SEA Final)

Post-Game: Tavon Austin shouldn’t return punts anymore (Dan Parzych, Ramblin Fan)

When it comes to the most frustrating players on the Los Angeles Rams, it’s tough to top Tavon Austin since the speedster always seems to figure out some sort of new way to disappoint each week, even if he does sometimes make a few impressive plays running the football. Unfortunately, the latest example came on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks when Sean McVay ended up having to replace Austin returning punts since he was becoming too much of a risk to hang on to the football.

After seeing the ridiculous amount of money the Rams are paying Austin, there’s no reason for the former first-round pick to struggle the way he has with these fumbles. Frustrating doesn’t even begin to describe how Los Angeles must have been feeling to see Austin fumble two more times against Seattle (only lost one) on Sunday since this seems to be an issue that doesn’t seem to be improving at all.

Give McVay credit for trying to figure out a way to get the best out of Austin since he seems to be most effective in the running game, but this whole situation has just become ridiculous at this point. For the sake of Los Angeles, let’s hope Austin is done returning punts to avoid any risk of future fumbles, or it’s going to potentially end up costing the team wins.

Post-Game: The Rams will be okay (TG25, Turf Show Times)

I mentioned this following the loss to Washington; the Rams will be okay. The vibe I get from the team, specifically McVay, telegraphs that corrections will be made and the mistakes made will not continue to be a habit plaguing the team.

I also got that from the Rams’ last drive of the game. The offense marched down the field efficiently and nearly made the every play when it counted. The last play, like the Gurley non-fumble-but-was-called-a-fumble-anyway, was a bad bounce.

Kupp should have caught that. It wasn’t the best throw, but it was a throw that hit him right in the hands.

A lot will happen between now and next Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The offense will adapt, Goff will correct his mistakes, and McVay will head to Jacksonville with a different team.

Post-Game Video: “Earl Thomas is a f—king beast.” (soCal RamsFan)

Post-Game Audio: Opponent audio recap with Rams announcers JB Long, D’Marco Farr, and Maurice Jones-Drew (via KJR’s Softy Mahler Show)

Enemy Preaction: New York Giants (Big Blue View)

...Literally one play later

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There’s no reason to think Seattle can’t be 5-2 heading into November. The Giants are decimated on offense and have regressed defensively, and the Texans lost J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus to season-ending injuries. I’m a fan of Deshaun Watson, but he may be in for a rude awakening playing at CenturyLink Field for the first time.

With the Seahawks on a bye, the Rams can still take a ¹⁄₂ game lead with a win at Jacksonville on Sunday. Go Jaguars! Also, just because we won’t have Seahawks football to watch this weekend doesn’t mean Enemy Reaction is taking a week off. I’ll be highlighting the best reactions to the biggest plays from around the league, with an emphasis on our NFC West rivals if they all end up losing.

Thanks for reading and go ‘Hawks!