Rams Third-Down Struggles Well Documented vs. Bengals

The Los Angeles Rams had their worst showing on third down in over four seasons against the Cincinnati Bengals Monday.

Coming into tonight's Monday night showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Los Angeles Rams were converting 58 percent of their third-down attempts.

On Monday, the Rams were — prepare yourself for this — 1-for-11 on third downs. That's not a recipe for winning football.

"It's just execution when it comes down to that," Quarterback Matthew Stafford said after the Rams' 19-16 loss. "Obviously, put ourselves in some tough spots, had some third-and-extra-longs, didn't do a good enough job there.

"Throwing and catching is the name of the game on third down. We didn't do that well enough."

Let's start with the positives. No. 1: at least the Rams converted a third down. No. 2: the third-down conversion was a touchdown pass with just over one minute to go in regulation.

Matthew Stafford gets knocked to the ground by the Bengals' defense yet again / USA Today Sports

The Rams were in a shotgun set, and wide receiver Tutu Atwell came across the formation. He ran a flat route that was wide open for a 1-yard score that couldn't have been any easier for Stafford to hit.

Now that that's out of the way, here's the true message of Los Angeles' third-down offense: it was terrible. However, as Stafford said, the Rams didn't exactly do themselves many favors on first and second down to set up third-and-manageables.

Five of Los Angeles' 11 third-down attempts were of at least 10 yards with three of those being third-and-16 or more, and that was due in large part to the shaky protection Stafford got. Los Angeles' patchwork offensive line allowed six sacks.

The Rams' showing on third down Monday was their worst performance since going 1-for-14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers Nov. 10, 2019.

Stafford said he would need to watch the tape to understand what went wrong on each failed third down attempt. Boy, will that film study not be enjoyable.