ST. LOUIS -- In better days, the St. Louis Rams upset the Arizona Cardinals behind rookie running back Todd Gurley's breakthrough performance, a stingy defense that almost exclusively yielded field goals and a dominant performance in the turnover battle.
In Sunday's rematch at the Edward Jones Dome, none of those things were present, so the result was unsurprising: a 27-3 loss. For the Rams, it's their fifth consecutive defeat and their first loss to an NFC West opponent this season.
Yes, Sunday's game played out as so many have this season, with the Rams' offense flailing around with no signs of improvement to be found and the defense doing what it can to keep them in the game before capitulating. But the Rams pinned their hopes on the idea that returning to NFC West play would help right the ship.
The only way that would happen, though, would be to follow the same blueprint that led to their 24-22 win against Arizona on Oct. 4. In that game, Gurley ran for 146 yards, the Rams were plus-3 in turnover margin, and they held Arizona to one touchdown. This time, Gurley finished with 41 yards on nine carries, the Rams were minus-1 in turnover margin and the Cardinals tripled their trips to the end zone.
Perhaps lost in the Gurley-mania that followed the game was the fact that the Rams had some fortuitous bounces and calls that went their way. Absent those things, the Rams are the same team they've been for more than a month, which isn't a good thing.
What it means: At 4-8, the Rams have now guaranteed themselves a 12th consecutive season without a winning record, lost five in a row and made their incredibly slim playoff chances even slimmer. For coach Jeff Fisher, it's four successive non-winning years as coach of the Rams and his sixth straight overall.
Where Fisher stands: Sunday's loss also means that as Fisher completes his 20th full season as a head coach, he's guaranteed a 14th year without a record above .500. For frame of reference, the last coach to go four straight years without a winning record and get a fifth year was Fisher with the Titans from 1995-1998. Of coaches with a losing record (meaning no seasons even at .500) in their first four seasons, Cincinnati's David Shula was the last to get a fifth year in the early-mid-1990s. According to Elias Sports Bureau, there have been three coaches who had at least five straight full losing seasons with one team: Philadelphia's Bert Bell (1936-41), Dallas' Tom Landry (1960-64) and Washington's Bill McPeak (1961-65). Fisher also drew within one loss of Dolphins coach Don Shula for the third most losses by a head coach in NFL history at 155. Fisher has been a head coach for a little more than 20 ½ seasons. Shula coached 33 years.
Fantasy watch: There's not much in the way of fantasy value to be found for the Rams right now as Gurley was mostly bottled up, save for a 34-yard run in the third quarter. The passing game has reached such lows that it's not worth starting anyone aside from Gurley or perhaps Tavon Austin and hoping they reach the end zone.
Ouch: On the opening drive, Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins left the game to be tested for a concussion after safety T.J. McDonald whiffed on receiver Michael Floyd and hit Jenkins square. Jenkins was able to return to the game but not until after his replacements allowed a touchdown pass to receiver J.J. Nelson. In the third quarter, Jenkins ran into linebacker Mark Barron and again had to be evaluated for a concussion. This time, he did not return. Tight end Lance Kendricks also left to be evaluated for a concussion and did not return.
What's next: The Rams host the second game of a three-game homestand next Sunday as the Detroit Lions come to town after their devastating loss on Thursday night.