Column: Rams spiraling out of playoff contention with games vs. 49ers and Seahawks ahead

The Rams are corkscrewing into the ground.

And they’re not alone.

Four of the six NFC teams that made the playoffs last season have been colossal disappointments — the Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears.

The Rams and Bears are both dead in the water. The only reason the Cowboys and Eagles are still in the postseason hunt is because the NFC East is so lousy.

Their humiliating 45-6 loss to Baltimore left the Rams with zero margin for error in their five remaining games. It’s almost certainly going to require a team finish at least 11-5 to be in the NFC wild-card mix, and the 6-5 Rams have hit their loss limit.

Rams

Lamar Jackson and Ravens embarrass Rams and deal their playoff hopes a crippling blow

The Ravens’ Lamar Jackson throws five touchdown passes and runs for 95 yards to lead a 45-6 rout over the Rams on “Monday Night Football.”

Nov. 25, 2019

That means they have to run the table on the remainder of their schedule: at Arizona, Seattle, at Dallas, at San Francisco and a home finale against Arizona.

With the way they played against the Ravens, they realistically could go 1-4 or 2-3.

Yes, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is a generational talent. Yes, Baltimore is on a tremendous roll, having won seven in a row. But capable, self-respecting teams don’t lose at home, 45-6, before a national audience. Those defeats are soul-crushing.

Unlike last year, when they were so dominant on offense, the Rams routinely stall this season. Running back Todd Gurley isn’t the same — hasn’t been since the NFC championship game at New Orleans — nor is quarterback Jared Goff. The offensive line, so solid and reliable the past two years, is now a series of revolving doors.

And the defense, revitalized after the trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey five weeks ago, was thoroughly confused by the Ravens.

Rams

Farmer: Ravens’ Lamar Jackson gives some valuable lessons in rout of Rams

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson makes it look easy as he throws for five touchdowns in directing a 45-6 rout of the Rams.

Nov. 25, 2019

Goff tried to put his finger on what has gone wrong.

“A million things,” he said. “I think there’s no one thing. It’s just be better consistently. I know that’s easy to say, but it’s the truth. We need to be better down-in and down-out and not kill ourselves with little mistakes, penalties. I can distribute the ball better, we can do different things in the run game. There’s a million things. There’s not one thing, and I think you just have to focus every single day on getting better, trusting the people around you and just do your best.”

Ever try to assemble a huge jigsaw puzzle? How about one with a million pieces? That’s what this feels like.

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Lamar Jackson covers the lens of a television cameraman after a Ravens touchdown against the Rams during the fourth quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams quarterback Jared goff is sacked by Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith during the first quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters talks to Rams quarterback Jared Goff as they leave the field after a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson picks up a big gain in front of Rams Jalen Ramsey, Cory Littleton and Taylor Rapp during the first quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.   (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters laughs in fornt of the Rams’ bench late in the fourth quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters taunts his former team as the Rams come off the field during the fourth quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters taunts the Rams after a penalty during the fourth quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Ravens receiver Marquise Brown catches a touchdown pass against the Rams during the first quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams tight end Tyler Higbee is stopped short of the goal line by Ravens cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (44) and Jimmy Smith during the second quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is stopped short of the goal line by the Rams’ Jalen Ramsey during the second quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks to throw under pressure from Rams linebacker Clay Matthews during the second quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams tight end Tyler Higbee can’t make the catch in the end zone in front of Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith during the second quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams receiver Robert Woods can’t make the catch in front of Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey during the second quarter of a game Nov. 25 at the Coliseum.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)