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Nate Atkins

@nateatkins.bsky.social

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Senior Writer covering the Los Angeles Rams for The Athletic | Formerly of the Colts, Lions and Bears beats | Hebrews 11:1 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/nate-atkins/

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 10d

The Rams had the game right there for the taking.

They put it in Matthew Stafford’s hands — until they didn’t.

“I’m sick,” Sean McVay said.

“Guys are pissed,” Matthew Stafford said.

And the locker room showed that venom.

Let’s diagnose:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

'I'm sick': Rams put the game in Matthew Stafford's hands — until they didn't

www.nytimes.com

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 10h

A couple weeks ago, Quentin Lake offered a prophecy:

“Manifestation is a real thing. I’m hoping to get my first interception.”

It came against the Ravens, in the most Quentin Lake way possible.

He offered a great window into how he sees the game:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Quentin Lake, a budding star for Rams, manifested his first career interception

Lake's interception and fumble recovery in Ravens territory helped the Rams improve to 4-2 on the season.

www.nytimes.com

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 10h

Nate Landman this season:

41 tackles
0 missed tackles 👀
1.8 yards of average tackle depth

Also in coverage…

4 completions allowed on 11 attempts
20 yards
1.8 yards/target 👀

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 12h

You add in how undervalued safeties are across the league (stupidly, in my eyes) and I think it’d be flat bad business to let Quentin Lake go.

That said… curious how much Byron Young and Nate Landman will cost. Both are also balling out.

Coach Finstock @coachfinstock.bsky.social · 12h

They're not letting Lake walk. Those other guys mentioned were Brandon Staley guys. And Lake is a captain and loved by his teammates. He's gonna get paid and it'll be a good value because he's not a brand name

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 12h

Rams snap counts from the win over the Ravens:

- Puka Nacua played 27 snaps
- 92% for Jordan Whittington with Puka/Tutu hurt
- 37% in 12-personnel
- 45%/38% split for Shaun Dolac and Troy Reeder
- Almost a perfectly even split at CB for Forbes/Williams/Durant

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 12h

The track record says the Rams will let Quentin Lake walk but I think he could be a unique case — hometown product who really wants to be here and has taken on a leadership role that’s hard to shift.

Kam Curl also has an expiring deal. Curious how much longer Darious Williams sticks around, too.

Todd Goslin @toddgoslin.bsky.social · 12h

We've seen guys they've drafted like JJ III, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, all play well here and move on when their contracts expire. I would expect to see the same here regardless of play. Hopefully, this time I'm wrong.

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 12h

The Rams don’t hand out many contract extensions on defense. Particularly to DBs.

They love to draft and develop players like Quentin Lake.

But he’s playing and leading at a level that needs serious consideration.

“He’s so instrumental.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Quentin Lake, a budding star for Rams, manifested his first career interception

www.nytimes.com

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 12h

One encouraging update: Tutu Atwell should be good to return after missing yesterday with a hamstring injury.

I’d expect his biggest role of the season whether Puka Nacua misses or is limited.

Atwell this season: Just 9 targets… but 41 yards/catch and 18.2 yards/target 👀

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Reposted by Nate Atkins

Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

A video recap of the Rams’ 17-3 win over the Ravens.

On a sluggish game, Puka Nacua’s injury, big games for Quentin Lake, Nate Landman and Byron Young — and more special teams issues:

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 12h

More on Puka Nacua's ankle injury, how long he could miss and how the Rams will adjust if the NFL's leading receiver can't play against the Jaguars: www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Rams’ Puka Nacua suffers ankle sprain vs. Ravens, status uncertain for Week 7

Nacua had to be helped to the locker room following the injury, though he did return for the second half and played a handful of snaps.

www.nytimes.com

Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 12h

Sean McVay said the Rams protected better for field goals yesterday but was he disappointed in the operation, from Josh Karty missing a short kick to a bad snap."

"I'm not giving up on that group, but there's a responsibility and accountability on everyone to do their 1/11."

Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 12h

Puka Nacua has an ankle sprain, and Sean McVay said his status is up in the air for Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London.

McVay said he was encouraged by the scan. It won't be a long-term injury. But they're going to do what's best for him as the week progresses.

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

Today was the first splashy showcase of what Rams players and coaches have been saying for weeks:

Quentin Lake is a star.

His ascension from a 6th-round pick has been massive.

It’s time to ask about an extension.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Quentin Lake, a budding star for Rams, manifested his first career interception

www.nytimes.com

Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

Nate Landman set the Rams franchise record with 17 tackles today.

Fourth straight test against an elite RB (Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry) and only Henry topped 100 yards.

Crazy to think the Rams got him on a 1-year, vet. minimum deal.

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

Matthew Stafford passed Dan Marino today for No. 9 on the NFL's all-time passing list, now with 61,493 yards.

He's about 1,300 yards behind Matt Ryan for No. 8.

"I love this game. I love the history of it. ... Just to be mentioned with those guys is really humbling."

Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

This comment on our postgame takeaways made me chuckle:

Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

A video recap of the Rams’ 17-3 win over the Ravens.

On a sluggish game, Puka Nacua’s injury, big games for Quentin Lake, Nate Landman and Byron Young — and more special teams issues:

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

Some takeaways from the Rams' 17-3 win over the Ravens, along with @jeffzrebiecbot.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Rams-Ravens takeaways: Turnovers doom Baltimore amid disastrous slide

www.nytimes.com

Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

Puka Nacua was in the Rams locker room after the game but declined to be interviewed.

We’ll see how the week goes out here in Baltimore to see whether he can play against the Jaguars next Sunday.

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

It’s an ankle injury for Puka Nacua, not a foot. Sean McVay isn’t sure yet if he’ll be able to play next week in London. He pushed through pain to give a few snaps late today.

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

FINAL:

Rams 17
Ravens 3

L.A. improves to 4-2 with a much-needed win over a hampered Ravens team. Their own injuries made it a slog, as did some offensive and special teams miscues.

But the mix of Jared Verse, Byron Young and Quentin Lake is going to punish offenses like this.

Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

The Rams nearly had that last punt blocked, too.

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

Kobie Turner and Byron Young swallowed Tyler Huntley on that fourth-down play, and the Rams are going to win this thing.

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

The Rams passed up a field goal inside the 10 that could gave given them a 3-score lead to go for it on 4th-and-3.

Sean McVay is normally pretty conservative on these things, too. But I'm not sure how you can feel great kicking a field goal with this group right now.

Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

Terrance Ferguson sighting: He just took a handoff on a jet sweep.

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Nate Atkins @nateatkins.bsky.social · 1d

Puka Nacua is back on the field for the Rams.