Rams Listless in Shutout Loss to Seahawks

As good as the St. Louis Rams defense looked in the first quarter of Sunday's game at Seattle, the offensive ineptitude was enough to make even the casual football fan turn away.

The offense's inconsistent, and sometimes listless play, led to a tired defense folding down the stretch as the Seahawks dominated every phase of the game in the 28-0 victory.

In a stadium known by its patrons as "The 12th Man," the Rams got busted using a 12th man of their own.

In an mistake-filled contest, the turning point came when a Rams touchdown on a blocked field goal was called back because of too many men on the field. The Seahawks then scored on three of their next four possessions en route to the blowout.

First-year player C.J. Ah You had blocked Olindo Mare's 49-yard attempt, which Quincy Butler then returned for what should have been the game-tying score. But a review of the play revealed 12 Rams up at the line of scrimmage.

It was one of 10 Rams penalties, including personal foul calls on Leonard Little, Steven Jackson and Richie Incognito, who again let his emotions result in undisciplined play.

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo took the blame for the penalties, telling the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "That's a discipline thing and that falls on the head coach."

Three plays after the blocked kick and subsequent penalty, which resulted in a first down, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselback hit Nate Burleson for a 12-yard score just before halftime and the Seahawks never looked back.

Hasselback shook off two early interceptions, including one by James Butler in the end zone after Donnie Avery had fumbled the opening kickoff. Hasselback finished with 278 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 25 of 36 attempts.

Rams quarterback Marc Bulger also had 36 pass attempts, but completed just 17 for 191 yards. He was sacked three times, but did not throw an interception.

The Rams forced a turnover on Seattle's second possession, this time a Burleson fumble forced by Will Witherspoon and recovered by James Laurinaitis. But, as with the first turnover, penalties and poor execution resulted in another Rams punt.

Donnie Jones did show why he's the best in the business, and he had plenty of practice on Sunday. He punted eight times with a 50.6-yard average, and was the lone bright spot.

Even the normally sure-footed Josh Brown missed a 37-yard field goal in his only attempt.

The Rams finally showed life late in the game, getting big plays from Jackson and receiver Laurent Robinson, but that drive ended with an incomplete pass to Randy McMichael on fourth-and-goal from the Seahawks 7.

Jackson was supposed to be the workhorse to carry the load and take pressure off of Bulger and the passing game. The Seahawks never let him get on track, as he finished with just 16 carries for 67 yards. He did have an 18-yard run called back because of an Avery holding penalty.

To say it was a bad showing in Spagnuolo's debut as a head coach is an understatement. That 0-5 start I wrote about in July is looking like a pretty good prognostication at this point.