Things you might have missed during the Rams' 42-14 loss to the Falcons

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A Rams fan joins a chorus of “boos” as they express their disappointment in the team during the first half of a 42-14 loss to Atlanta. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

2/30

Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. strips the ball from Rams quarterback Jared Goff, subsequently returning the fumble for a touchdown during the third quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

3/30

Coach Jeff Fisher leaves the field after the Rams’ 42-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 11 at the Coliseum.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

4/30

Referee Clete Blakeman checks on Jared Goff,of the Los Angeles Rams, after he took a hit during their blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

5/30

Jared Goff apears to be shaken up after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

6/30

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher checks quarterback Jared Goff, who had just run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

7/30

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99), trying to reach around Atlanta’s Tom Compton to reach running back Terron Ward, is going to his third Pro Bowl. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

8/30

The ball pops up in the air after Rams receiver Kenny Britt can’t make a catch. Falcons safety Ricardo Allen (not pictured) intercepted the ball after the ricochet. (Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

9/30

Jared Goff is wrapped up by Falcons Ra’Shede Hageman during second half.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

10/30

Rams Lance Kendricks looks downfield after breaking the tackle of Falcons Deion Jones.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

11/30

Rams receiver Brian Quick hauls in a long pass over Falcons cornerback Deji Olatoye for an apparent touchdown in the fourth quarter at the Coliseum. The play was nullified as Quick was penalized for offensive pass interference.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

12/30

Rams safety Maurice Alexander is knocked cold after he delivers a helmet to helmet tackle on Falcons receiver Nick Williams during third quarter action.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

13/30

Falcons safety Ricardo Allen intercepts a first quarter pass from Rams quarterback Jared Goff.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

14/30

Rams Trumaine Johnson prays for Maurice Alexander after he collided with a Falcons player.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

15/30

Rams safety Maurice Alexander is examined on the field after apparently losing consciousness after a helmet to helmet blow against Falcons receiver Nick Williams.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

16/30

Rams quarterback Jared Goff hangs his head as Falcons lineback Vic Beasley Jr. returns his fumble for a third quarter touchdown.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

17/30

Rams quarterback Jared Goff fumbles the ball as he’s sacked by Rams linebacker Vic Beasley Jr., who recoverd the ball and returned it for a third-quarter touchdown.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

18/30

Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. avoids a tackle attempt by Rams offensive lineman Rob Havenstein as he returns a fumble 21 yards for a touchdown.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

19/30

Rams receiver Brian Quick is upended near the goal line by Falcons cornerback Brian Poole after making a catch during a third quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

20/30

Falcons running back Tevin Coleman is dragged down by Rams defensive back Mike Jordan as safety Maurice Alexander closes in on the play during third quarter action.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

21/30

Rams defensive back Mike Jordan makes a tackle against Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel.

(Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

22/30

Rams quarterback Jared Goff is sacked by Falcons linebacker Philip Wheeler during third-quarter action.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

23/30

Falcons running back Tevin Coleman heads toward the end zone on a six-yard reception to give Atlanta a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. (Shotgun Spratling / Los Angeles Times)

24/30

Rams running back Todd Gurley twists out of the grasp of Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux during third-quarter action.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

25/30

Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo jumps over Rams safety T.J. McDonald after a reception during the first half.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

26/30

Falcons linebacker Deion Jones intercepts a pass by Jared Goff during second-quarter play.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

27/30

Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) celebrates with teammate Brooks Reed after scoring on a 33-yard interception return during the second quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

28/30

Falcons receiver Justin Hardy scores on a three-yard reception against Rams defensive back Mike Jordan on Atlanta’s first offensive play after L.A. fumbled the opening kickoff.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

29/30

Rams returner Michael Thomas fumbles the opening kickoff, with the Falcons eventually recovering the ball on the three-yard line.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

30/30

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan leads a team huddle before taking the field against the Rams.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

By Matt Wilhalme

Dec. 12, 2016 7 AM PT

Here are a few things you might have missed during the Rams’ 42-14 loss to the Falcons on Sunday at the Coliseum.

FIRST QUARTER

The Falcons won the turnover battle early. First, backup returner Mike Thomas had the opening kickoff bounce off his facemask and into Atlanta’s possession to set up an easy three-yard score. Then, the Falcons got another turnover when the ball bounced off another Rams player, this time off Kenny Britt’s hands.

A staple of the Rams’ offense has become punter Johnny Hekker attempting to draw the defense offside by jumping under center, or by taking a snap in shotgun formation and rugby-punting the football.

SECOND QUARTER

With their top receivers sidelined because of injuries, the Falcons attacked the Rams with screen passes. On a second and goal, back Tevin Coleman scored on a six-yard catch and run.

Jared Goff never saw linebacker Deion Jones on the quarterback’s pick-six. Goff stared down Britt as fellow rookie Jones dropped into coverage before snatching the pass and scoring. The score was a first for Goff, and a second for Jones.

Thomas got lucky after a bad decision, opting to return a kickoff from deep in the end zone. When the teams were called for off-setting penalties the result was a touchback, with the Rams starting at their 25 instead of the 16, where Thomas was knocked out of bounds.

Tavon Austin had 125 all-purpose yards by halftime. The Rams had 122 yards in the half.

THIRD QUARTER

The defensive breakdown on Taylor Gabriel’s 64-yard touchdown reception was linebacker Alec Ogletree’s fault. He said as much after the game, noting how he got caught up in the Falcons’ play-action and ended out of position.

Safety Maurice Alexander appeared to knock himself unconscious with a hit on Falcons receiver Nick Williams, and was carted off the field. Both Alexander and Williams were later deemed to have suffered concussions.

Fans started to leave with four minutes left in the third quarter, then the rush to get out intensified after Vic Beasley gave Rob Havenstein a shoulder shake. The simple move was all Beasley needed to get the Rams tackle out of position for the triple crown of linebacking: a strip-sack, fumble recovery and touchdown return.

Other fans couldn’t be bothered with the lines to exit and ran onto the field. Three opted for the police escort.

FOURTH QUARTER

Aaron Donald was smiling late in the fourth quarter — seriously. He had picked up a ball knocked out of a receiver’s hands and ran it in for a touchdown — only it wasn’t. The pass was ruled incomplete.

[email protected]

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme

Things you might have missed during the Rams’ 42-14 loss to the Falcons

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