What we learned in the Rams' 42-14 loss to the Atlanta 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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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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)

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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)

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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 Gary Klein

Staff Writer

Dec. 12, 2016 10:35 AM PT

Jared Goff is a work in progress

In his fourth start, the rookie quarterback struggled more than he flourished.

Goff had two passes intercepted, one that was returned for a touchdown. He also had a ball stripped and returned for a touchdown.

Goff completed 24 of 41 passes for 235 yards, with two interceptions. He was sacked three times.

Goff was victimized again by multiple drops by receivers. But he also missed several throws, most notably a pass to an open Tavon Austin on a wheel route out of the backfield.

Goff has passed for four touchdowns with five interceptions. He also has lost two fumbles.

Todd Gurley cannot stand lack of effort

Gurley was more animated than at any time this season — and not because things were going well for the offense.

The second-year running back was noticeably frustrated on the sideline during the game and in the locker room afterward, saying the Rams looked like a “middle school offense” against the Falcons.

Gurley rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown in 16 carries.

Gurley, who has rushed for 740 yards and five touchdowns, said some players were going through the motions, but could not put a finger on the solution to the Rams’ larger problems.

Receivers are still dropping passes

Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin and Brian Quick all had catchable passes bounce off their hands or body. A few balls ricocheted off their chests into the air or onto the turf.

That might be explained away by the elements and the cold at New England but not at the Coliseum — there was no excuse for Sunday’s display.

Penalties remain an issue

The Rams were flagged 11 times for 105 yards.

Holding penalties, illegal receivers down field, horse-collar tackles and unnecessary roughness. The list goes on.

During the second quarter, a penalty stifled four of five possessions.

Rams fans are not shy about making their feelings known

We got a taste of this midway through the season when the offense struggled with Case Keenum at quarterback.

Fans at the Coliseum booed the scheme and its execution and chanted ‘We want Goff!”

On Sunday, with Goff at quarterback, fans booed the play-calling and execution.

The stadium was emptying during the second half.

How many can the Rams expect to show up for a Christmas Eve game against the San Francisco 49ers or a New Year’s Day finale against the Arizona Cardinals?

What we learned in the Rams’ 42-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons

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