Los Angeles Rams

With losses piling up, Rams searching for answers to end swoon

Published Dec. 7, 2015 2:36 a.m. ET

foxsports

Befitting a team that is averaging 10.8 points during a five-game losing streak, the St. Louis Rams sounded like a beaten club following their latest setback.

“There isn't really too much to say,” Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin said following Sunday's 27-3 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. “Personally, I think the offense hasn't jelled yet. We have to keep on pushing and get back to practice. There's not anything else. We practice hard, we come out on Sunday and just can't put it together right now.”

Despite an inept offense, St. Louis' defense was carrying the club until a 21-18 overtime loss at Minnesota on Nov. 8. In the four games since, the Rams have been outscored 111-36.

“We’re getting what we deserve,” defensive end Chris Long said. “We’re not playing well enough to win on either side of the ball and we’re getting what we deserve.”

Added running back Todd Gurley, who has been bottled up for four straight games: “Everybody’s disappointed, frustrated, embarrassed. We practice hard — it just hasn’t been paying off.”

Misfortune also has entered the equation for the Rams. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins, one of the team's best defenders, suffered a concussion when he absorbed a pair of hard hits in Sunday's loss - and both were delivered by his teammates.

In addition, kicker Zach Hocker, on the roster because Greg Zuerlein is injured, suffered a quadriceps strain while warming up for Sunday's game. Punter Johnny Hekker handled kickoff duties and averaged 54.5 yards on eight punts.

“You never go in expecting to lose and you never prepare all throughout the week to lose, that’s why you see a lot of heads down,” Hekker said. "Because we’ve got a lot of guys in this locker room that aren’t losers and we’re kind of sick of it. We have to just get that taste out of our mouths with hard work and a win come next Sunday.”