The Rams narrowly lost in Baltimore, but they also proved they can contend with the NFL's best teams

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although the Rams' rainy Sunday in Baltimore ended with a heartbreaking overtime loss on a punt return touchdown aided by a highly questionable block, Los Angeles had already got something quite valuable out of its road trip.

The Rams (6-7) have confirmation they can play with the best teams in the NFL, and this rebuilding club's unlikely run at a postseason spot has more heft than it did before they nearly beat the AFC North leaders.

“Playing the Ravens, that's definitely a top-tier playoff team, and I think we can be that, too,” said Rams receiver Demarcus Robinson, who has only played on playoff teams during his eight-year NFL career. “We just need to finish games like (Sunday). We can be the same type of tier.”

The Rams' three-game winning streak ended painfully, with Tylan Wallace's punt return partly made possible because Baltimore's Charlie Kolar threw what sure looked like a block in the back on his Iowa State teammate and close friend, Rams special teamer Jacob Hummel.

Sean McVay reacted diplomatically to the non-call Monday after watching film.

“The way I handle it is, you look at the things that I think are all obvious to us, that we all see, but there was a lot of other opportunities with six missed tackles on that play,” McVay said.

"Got to be better with the location (of the ball carrier). There's so many plays that take place throughout the course of a game, and there were a lot of instances where I was so proud of our team for the way that we competed, and I'm really excited about being able to move forward.

"I'm not going to waste my emotional energy on stuff that's in the past. There was other opportunities on that play to make plays (so) that's not a big conversation today.”

McVay echoed Robinson's largely positive outlook after the loss because of his team's competitiveness against 10-win Baltimore.

The Rams were hoping simply to be competitive this season after a major offseason roster purge to clear salary cap dead money in preparation for 2024.

Yet Los Angeles is in the thick of the playoff race heading into Week 15, holding a legitimate chance to earn the sixth seed in the NFC with a strong finish.

The schedule is also favorable: The Rams' next three opponents all have losing records at a combined 14-24.

WHAT'S WORKING

The passing game. Matthew Stafford is putting together one of the best stretches of his 15-year career, throwing 10 TD passes with just one interception in the past three games. More importantly, the Rams are keeping Stafford healthy, although Baltimore's top-ranked pass rush sacked him twice and hit him hard on several occasions.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

The defense hung in against a powerhouse offense, but was stung repeatedly by explosive plays, continuing a season-long theme. Baltimore scored on TD passes of 54 yards and 46 yards in the first half against blown coverages likely involving Derion Kendrick, and Los Angeles gave up another 21-yard TD pass late in the fourth quarter on a third-and-17 play.

“Definitely got to go back to basics and tighten some things up to eliminate big plays,” safety John Johnson said.

STOCK UP

Kicker Lucas Havrisik stepped up to the challenge after the Rams signed Mason Crosby last week. Havrisik made all three of his field-goal attempts in the rain in Baltimore, including a 51-yard kick that would have been good from 60-plus. Havrisik likely bought himself at least another week.

STOCK DOWN

The Ravens were all over Aaron Donald with double- and triple-teams throughout the day, and Rams fans lit up social media with videos and photos of what they saw as uncalled holding penalties. Donald didn't make a tackle for the second time in three games, and he didn't manage a quarterback hit on Lamar Jackson, although he repeatedly got close.

INJURIES

Backup TE Hunter Long is out for the season with a torn knee ligament. ... WR Tutu Atwell is in the concussion protocol. ... McVay expects DB Quentin Lake to return this week from a three-game absence with a hamstring injury. ... RT Rob Havenstein's prognosis for this week is uncertain after he left Sunday's game early with a groin strain.

KEY NUMBER

6 — The final total of Cooper Kupp's career-worst streak of games with fewer than 50 yards receiving after the Super Bowl 56 MVP broke out with eight catches for 115 yards and a TD. McVay said Kupp's play is improving concurrently with his health.

NEXT STEPS

Washington (4-9) brings a four-game skid to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, and New Orleans (6-7) follows four days later. With back-to-back wins, the Rams would be in the thick of contention for a surprising playoff berth.

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