Ravens vs Rams: 5 Good Signs the Rams Could Build on

I would love to be a fly on the wall in the Rams coaches' office. I bet it played out like the lyric to a Darius Rucker song:

I'm just blank. I'm staring into space, saying PLEASE, PLEASE let me think of something...

But I've got nothing.

The Rams certainly had "nothing" for Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon, as the Ravens routed the Rams by a score of 37-7. Flacco hooked up with rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith for three first-half touchdowns, and the game was over almost as quickly as it started. 

I think the Rams embarrassed themselves, but I predicted this would happen before the season even started. To be precise, I said, "The Rams will get a lesson in intensity from a very hungry football team this week and play their worst game of the season."

So let's not get too excited about one game. The Ravens might end up playing in the Super Bowl. The Rams are just not the same class of team right now. But that's OK!

Here are five good things Rams fans can take away from this game. 

1. Sam Bradford Is One Tough Dude

The Rams offense had a measly three passing yards at halftime. Sam Bradford had been beaten, battered and bruised. He was flustered. You could see it on his face. Sam the Ram is sick and tired of getting hit. He is sick and tired of throwing to receivers who can't catch.

Sam Bradford was pissed off.

He came out in the second half, and he kept slinging it. He put together several good drives. He stood in against the blitz. He made some great throws. If the Rams can just keep adding talent around Bradford, he is going to be one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL.

2. Steven Jackson Gave the Rams a Lift

A lot of people, including me, didn't think Jackson would even play against the Ravens. He did suit up, carrying the ball four times for 23 yards. It's not much, but at least he played. 

This has to make you think that Jackson will be ready to assume full time duty next week, when the Rams play a winnable game against the Washington Redskins.

3. Chris Long Keeps Improving

Chris Long picked up a sack in his third consecutive game. He always plays hard. You have to like where this defensive line is headed with Long playing one side and talented rookie Robert Quinn playing the other side. 

The Rams should be able to put a ton of pressure on opposing QB's without having to blitz as much.  This would take a lot of pressure off the Rams' secondary, and let's be honest, that secondary is lousy and needs all the help they can get.

4. The Rams Receivers Made Some Plays

Brandon Gibson, Mike Sims-Walker and rookie TE Lance Kendricks all helped the Rams move the ball in the second half. Once this group finally gets their act together, and the Rams get Steven Jackson back, the Rams are going to be solid on offense. 

In the NFC West, who has a better offensive core than Bradford-Jackson-Kendricks?

5. Spags Is Holding the O-Line Accountable

The Rams O-line has been embarrassed during the first three games of the season. It's bad enough that they can't pass block, but how can you excuse the fact that Jason Smith picked up a 15-yard penalty for a personal foul in the first half, especially when the Rams were in the red zone for the first time all day?

When you see a guy who keeps playing stupid football, you hope that the coach yanks his butt out of the game, right?

Well Spags pulled Smith out of the game in the second half and put Adam Goldberg in his place. I think the Rams' coaches need to hold players accountable and replace them if they aren't going to play better.  So far, Spags has shown that he is going to do just that. 

It's time for Smith to step up. The former overall No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft has been living on his draft status so far. It's time for him to earn his playing time.