Rams vs. Bengals: St. Louis Grades, Notes and Quotes

The St. Louis Rams (4-7) fell to the Cincinnati Bengals (9-2) by a final score of 31-7. It's the fourth straight loss for the struggling Rams, and the epic month-long implosion continues. 

There were almost zero positives from St. Louis today. The offense was laughable, as usual, and the defense is playing with far less tenacity than we saw early in the year—almost as if the unit has raised the white flag. 

It was the same story we've seen all year. The discipline was nowhere to be found, the offense looks as though it'd struggle against college defenses and the overall body language suggests defeat and frustration. 

If head coach Jeff Fisher is fighting for his job, he's sure not getting much help from his players. There haven't been any confirmed reports of dysfunction in the locker room, but it's hard to believe this team hasn't completely given up on its coaches. The effort is just not there. 

Things won't get any easier for the Rams, as they host the Arizona Cardinals next week. A five-game losing streak is looking like a strong possibility. 

For more on this game, including grades, takeaways and quotes, read on. 

Position Grades

Frank Victores/Associated Press

Quarterback: F

If you were expecting Nick Foles to come back with an edge after being benched, this game was a rude awakening. Foles was horrendous. 

The quarterback was picked off three times, including a pick-six, and his accuracy again left a lot to be desired. He also failed to find the end zone and has just two touchdown passes beyond Week 4. 

Foles continues to prove he is not the answer. 

Running Back: C

Tavon Austin had a decent day running the football. He had a 60-yard pickup and scampered in for a seven-yard touchdown the next play. 

As for Todd Gurley, he was completely shut down. He was kept out of the end zone for the first time since Week 5 and was held to just 30 yards from scrimmage.  

Wide Receiver/Tight End: C

The pass-catchers were once again underwhelming, but it's hard to be productive with no support from the quarterback or offensive line. 

Kenny Britt had some decent first-half grabs, including an 18-yard reception, but he did have a key third-down drop in the final quarter. 

Jared Cook had a very nice game, including grabs of 16 and 25 yards. Other than Austin, he was probably the best offensive player on the field today, which is nice to see considering how badly he struggled early in the year. 

This group was not impressive today by any means, but it's easy to tell this group would be far more productive and respectable with a real quarterback under center. 

Offensive Line: F

Greg Robinson started off with a solid first half but fell apart as the game went on. He allowed a big hit on Foles, which likely caused the quarterback's third interception. He was also flagged for yet another holding penalty—something he has struggled with greatly since entering the league. 

Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick from 2014, appears to be a complete bust. It'd be convenient to compare him to Jason Smith—another No. 2-pick tackle from 2009 who busted with the Rams—but frankly, that'd be an insult to Smith. 

As for the rest of the line, the run blocking was simply pathetic. Gurley had absolutely nothing to work with. 

Defensive Line: D

Aaron Donald is still a force, as always, but this unit is a shell of itself without Robert Quinn in the lineup. You can't replace an elite player with a backup and expect similar results.

Chris Long was overwhelmed in run support and continues to be invisible. Long was once a productive weapon, but those days are gone.  

The pass rush was simply weak. Andy Dalton had time to throw, and it allowed him to shred the secondary. 

Linebackers: D

James Laurinaitis had the fumble recovery, but overall, the linebackers were weak. The unit is missing Alec Ogletree very much. 

Cincinnati running back Jeremy Hill was banged up on the Bengals' first drive of the game, yet he still shredded the linebackers for nearly 100 rushing yards. 

The St. Louis run defense was top-notch early in the year, but the group has regressed big-time. 

Secondary: F

Janoris Jenkins had an interception, but he also allowed A.J. Green to blow past him for a first-quarter touchdown. 

The secondary was overwhelmed in this game. Dalton completed nearly 75 percent of his passes and shredded the defensive backs for three touchdown passes. 

This unit didn't show up today. 

Special Teams: F

The special teams unit was very quiet today. The offense was so bad that it couldn't achieve field position for a single field-goal attempt (though the Rams could have attempted one at the end of the game, rather than going for it on fourth down).

Chase Reynolds running into the punter and getting flagged early in the game was a huge momentum-changer. At one point, the Rams also got back-to-back penalties on a punt attempt.  

Coaching: F

After a rough three weeks, it was Fisher's job to keep the team fired up and force the Rams to bounce back strong. That didn't happen. The team was flat and unprepared. 

At this point, keeping Fisher around for 2016 would be a major surprise. 

It's Time to Play Sean Mannion

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

During the final drive of the first half, the Rams were marching downfield on perhaps their best-looking drive of the game. 

Britt had grabs of 14 and 18 yards. The Bengals were on their heels, and the offense was moving. Then, Foles inexplicably forced the ball to Cook, who was heavily covered by defenders. The ball was deflected, and Cincinnati came up with the interception. 

It's that type of sloppy quarterback play that has crippled the offense this season. There's enough film on Foles and Case Keenum to know neither player is the answer at quarterback. With the season in flames, it's time to turn to the one unknown on the roster—rookie Sean Mannion. 

Mannion was a third-round pick. He's not some late-round scrub who's not expected to contribute. The Rams clearly thought highly of him, so it's time to see if those feelings were warranted. 

He was not particularly impressive during the preseason. He tossed just one touchdown in 57 attempts, completed just 54.4 percent of his passes and had an interception. Even so, that was several months ago. He should be more adjusted and comfortable with the offense by now. 

There's nothing to lose. Before the offseason arrives, the Rams need to know what they have in Mannion. It's clear that quarterback will be a major offseason need, but the play of Mannion will let them know how big that need really is—if it requires a first-round solution, a second-rounder or even a free agent. 

Foles and Keenum are done in St. Louis. 

The Todd Gurley-Tavon Austin Combo Could Be Deadly for a Long Time

Gary Landers/Associated Press

One thing particularly frustrating about St. Louis' offensive struggles this year is the fact that the group has talented weapons. Austin and Gurley are capable of starting for any NFL team and are the type of weapons teams can build an offense around. 

Austin's 60-yard run and seven-yard touchdown run on the very next play was the highlight of St. Louis' first half. Gurley was stuffed in the opening half, but there were several instances when he nearly broke free—if only the blocking were up to par. 

The point being, if the Rams can solidify the supporting cast, Gurley and Austin can carry the offense for a very long time. It's up to the front office to use the offseason wisely, which might entail beefing up the line, drafting a new quarterback or finding a new wide receiver to wreak havoc on the outside. 

If the team can establish offensive support this offseason, Gurley and Austin will finally give the team a competent offense. 

Running-into-the-Kicker Penalty Sums Up Rams' Season

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

In the first quarter, the St. Louis defense had the Bengals offense stopped around its own 10. It was a great defensive victory that would have provided the struggling Rams offense with excellent field position.

Instead, the stalled Cincinnati drive turned into a field goal and a 10-point lead for the Bengals.  

Like always, the defense's admirable effort was completely wasted. During the punt, special teamer Chase Reynolds ran into the Cincinnati punter—resulting in a five-yard penalty and a first down for the Bengals' offense. 

It's been the story of the year for the Rams. The defense gets it done only to have everything ruined by another unit on the team. 

All season long, great defensive efforts have gone to waste thanks to the putrid St. Louis offense. The Rams held Pittsburgh to 12 points in Week 3, yet the team still lost thanks to constant three-and-outs by the offense. In other games, the Rams were weighed down by special teams play—a missed kick by Greg Zuerlein or, as we saw today, a needless penalty by the punt-return unit. 

The non-defensive units on this team have been neglected and fail to appear competent on a weekly basis. Until the other units can become at least average, this team will go nowhere. 

Thom Brennaman on A.J. Green's Touchdown

AJ Mast/Associated Press

"You would think they would find number 18." - Fox commentator Thom Brennaman on Rams defense leaving A.J. Green wide open for a first-quarter touchdown. 

In the first quarter, with the Bengals inside the St. Louis 20, the Rams dropped into zone coverage. Jenkins stepped to Green for the first five yards but let the Pro Bowl receiver get behind him. 

Apparently, Jenkins thought he had help from the safety position and turned his focus to the middle of the field. Dalton hit a wide-open Green for a painfully easy Cincinnati touchdown. 

The play was quite baffling. Jenkins has been nothing but dependable in coverage this season, so the fact he let one of the top receivers in the league run free makes little sense. Whether the fault is with Jenkins or the safeties, it's another example of how undisciplined the Rams are as a football team. 

Talent means very little if players are out of position, lacking focus and feeling completely deflated. Obviously, discipline is not an issue that has only haunted the defense. Every St. Louis unit has suffered from blatant stupidity, and it must be addressed. 

Thom Brennaman on Todd Gurley

Gary Landers/Associated Press

"The Bengals have had his number all day long." - Fox commentator Thom Brennaman on Cincinnati's dominance over Todd Gurley. 

It's rather cruel of the football gods to tease Rams fans with Gurley's explosive potential early in the season, only to see that production disappear behind poor offensive line play, an inept aerial attack and zero support whatsoever. 

The Bengals held Gurley under 15 rushing yards in the first half. Time after time, Gurley was mobbed in the backfield and hit multiple brick walls. 

At this point, why torture the young running back by trotting him out behind this horrible offense? It's time to limit his carries, save his health and pack it in until 2016. He can't make anything happen behind this offensive line. 

If Gurley has another late-season injury, it will jeopardize his future and the 2016 campaign, so why risk it? Tre Mason needs more action from here on out. 

Jim Thomas on Nick Foles

Frank Victores/Associated Press

"Starting with the Green Bay game Oct. 11, Foles has thrown as many TD passes to the opposition as he has to the Rams (2)." - Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Nick Foles, via Twitter. 

As Jim Thomas mentions, Foles has been just as productive for St. Louis opponents as he's been for the Rams. 

Throwing as many touchdowns to the opponents as his own teammates is an almost impossible feat. However, the 2015 St. Louis offense has been so unbelievably sad and inept that nothing should surprise you at this point. 

The upcoming offseason is all about building the offense, and it starts with the quarterback position. Until the Rams get a competent quarterback, the offense will stall.