Rams putting heartbreaking loss to 49ers behind them

Stafford and Co. have rolled since losing in overtime to San Francisco

- BY GARY KLEIN

ALLEN J. SCHABEN Los Angeles Times RAMS quarterback Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 21 touchdown passes, with just two interceptions.

It’s been just more than five weeks.

But for the Rams that seems like ages ago.

On Oct. 2, the San Francisco 49ers came to SoFi Stadium and handed the Rams their second loss in four weeks, a 26-23 overtime defeat on “Thursday Night Football” that ended when the 49ers stopped running back Kyren Williams on fourth and one at the 49ers’ 11-yard line.

Much has changed for the Rams (6-2) since that defeat.

In victories over the Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints, the Rams offense broadened its scope by utilizing four tight ends, receiver Davante Adams emerged as the hoped-for red-zone threat and quarterback Matthew Stafford is enjoying one of the most productive and efficient stretches of his 17-year career.

The Rams have largely shut down three consecutive opponents with a dominant defensive front, a steady linebacker corps and an improving secondary.

One phase, however, remained the same: The kicking game has been a liability.

But the Rams addressed the situation by signing veteran long snapper Jake McQuaide and bringing in Harrison Mevis to compete with kicker Joshua Karty.

"There has been a lot of growth," Rams coach Sean McVay said of the team in general. "The biggest thing that I would say is that I've been pleased with the way that we've started fast, played good complementary ball, been able to jump out to some leads."

The Rams started slow in their first matchup against the 49ers, who took the first possession and drove for a touchdown. Early in the second quarter, the Rams trailed, 14-0.

"We didn’t come out hot, and we let them get the first strike in and we were battling for the rest of that game," Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner said. "So, we've got to come out hot."