BALTIMORE -- The St. Louis Rams and Baltimore Ravens did everything but send an invitation to the other sideline offering the chance to win on Sunday.
After multiple RSVPs reading "No" from both teams, the Ravens finally decided to take the Rams up on their offer, kicking a 47-yard field goal at the buzzer to emerge with a 16-13 victory Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium.
In one of the ugliest games in recent memory, the Rams and Ravens traded penalties, turnovers and incompetence for most of the day. Neither team looked like it wanted a victory all that much, especially on offense.
But the Rams’ miscues ultimately outweighed those of the Ravens, and St. Louis lost its third game in a row.
Undone by an atrocious offensive performance (213 total yards) and four turnovers, the Rams repeatedly refused to take advantage of Baltimore’s mistakes. Even with Case Keenum stepping in at quarterback for Nick Foles in search of a spark, the Rams’ offense did nothing but fizzle.
Keenum was 12-of-26 for 136 yards with one touchdown, and the Rams' offense coughed up four fumbles, including Keenum’s late in the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning field goal.
All of that despite Baltimore essentially teeing the Rams up for a win for most of the day.
Penalties, an area that has often been a Rams specialty since Jeff Fisher took over as coach in 2012, were abundant for Baltimore. The Ravens picked up 10 penalties for 137 yards, including a franchise-record 107 yards worth in the first half.
The Ravens also chipped in two interceptions, but the Rams never capitalized.
What it means: The loss was the third in a row for the Rams. They now have only one win in a road game this season and one against a non-NFC West foe. At 4-6, the Rams are headed for another lost season filled with more questions than answers.
What were they thinking? The Rams had no problem feeding Todd Gurley, but where was his fellow Baltimore native, Tavon Austin? Austin was on the field for plenty of fake handoffs and jet sweeps in the first half but didn’t get a single touch outside of a few punt returns. When Austin finally got the ball on an end-around in the third quarter, he went for 16 yards. Aside from Gurley, Austin is the Rams’ best chance to create offense. He has to be more involved.
One reason to panic: It was expected that the Rams' offense would take some time to come together as the season went on. But the reality is that it’s not getting better. It’s actually worse. To be sure, injuries on the offensive line haven’t helped, but there are almost no signs of improvement. In Week 11, that’s unacceptable.
Fantasy watch: The Rams' defense bounced back from its worst game of the year last week by holding the Ravens to one touchdown and coming up with a pair of interceptions. There weren’t many Rams you would have wanted in your lineup Sunday, but the defense was perhaps the lone exception.
Ouch: Rookie Andrew Donnal made his first start at right tackle and second of his young career, but it didn't last long after he suffered a knee injury in the first half. He did not return to the game and the Rams had to reshuffle three spots on the offensive line to get by. Cornerback Trumaine Johnson suffered an apparent leg injury after a third-quarter interception and did not return.
What's next: The Rams conclude a two-game road swing through the AFC North with a trip to Cincinnati to face the division-leading Bengals next week.