The Los Angeles Rams Face Consequences After Week 17 Defeat

The Los Angeles Rams experienced a challenging week following their unexpected loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. This setback not only affected their standing in the league but also led to disciplinary actions against two of their players. The loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially for those who had hoped for a different outcome.

Jared Verse Receives Fine for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

One of the most notable incidents involved outside linebacker Jared Verse, who received an $11,593 fine from the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct. The infraction occurred during the third quarter when Verse blocked a Falcons field goal attempt and recovered the ball. As he ran the ball back for a score, he made a peace sign toward the Falcons’ sideline.

Verse addressed the gesture during his media availability after the game. He admitted that he was nervous about the reaction from the officials and even feared the consequences from head coach Sean McVay.

“I got scared as s***, I ain’t going to lie. I was like, ‘Ahh, Sean going to kill me,’ Verse said. “I was like, ‘It’s bad.’ And then, I got to the end zone, I was like, ‘They not gonna review it? Nah, they not gonna do that, we good.'”

Despite his hopes, the NFL often imposes fines for such infractions, which is what happened in this case.

Desjuan Johnson Fined for Hit on Quarterback

In addition to Verse, teammate Desjuan Johnson faced disciplinary action after a play during the game. Johnson was fined $5,830 for a hit on quarterback Kirk Cousins, specifically for landing on him with body weight. The incident occurred during the third quarter, and Johnson was called for “roughing the passer.”

The NFL has placed a strong emphasis on quarterback safety in recent years. The rule regarding body weight was introduced in the 2018 season, leading to an increase in roughing the passer calls. According to the NFL rulebook, defensive players must strive to fall to the side of the quarterback or brace their fall with their arms to avoid landing on the quarterback with all or most of their body weight.

This specific call resulted in a 15-yard penalty for the Falcons, which contributed to a touchdown that broke a 17-all tie.

The Rams’ Loss Has Far-Reaching Consequences

The loss had significant implications for the Rams, both in terms of their standings and their playoff aspirations. It pushed them down a rung in the NFC West and moved them behind the San Francisco 49ers in the conference standings. This was a sharp contrast to their previous position at the top of the NFC just two weeks ago.

The back-to-back losses have come at a particularly inopportune time. The Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the Rams in Week 16, have continued to perform well, while the 49ers have gained momentum.

For the Rams to secure a better seed in the 2025 NFC playoffs, they will need the Seahawks to defeat the 49ers in Week 18, while also defeating the Arizona Cardinals themselves. This scenario would allow them to move up from the six-seed to fifth place.

The Rams now face a critical challenge as they prepare for their regular-season finale, with much at stake for the team’s future.