Rams could face extra scrutiny vs. Cam Newton

He’s perhaps the NFL’s most magnetic star, the reigning most valuable player capable of a highlight-reel play every snap.

Now, after complaining about alleged illegal hits in the pocket — and taking it all the way to the NFL commissioner’s office — all eyes will not only be on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. The officials’ gaze will no doubt be fixated on the Rams during Sunday’s game at the Coliseum.

It’s the Rams’ first game since losing to the New York Giants in London two weeks ago, a defeat that dropped their record to 3-4 and extended their losing streak to three games.

The Panthers, the defending NFC champions, are coming off a victory over the Arizona Cardinals, a win that ended a four-game losing streak and improved their record to 2-5.

It was the aftermath of the Panthers’ victory that got the football world’s attention and put the Rams in line for possible extra scrutiny.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Newton, citing a low hit by Arizona defensive lineman Calais Campbell that was not ruled a penalty, said he did not feel safe on the field and that the situation was taking the fun out of the game.

Newton said he wanted an audience with Commissioner Roger Goodell.

And he got one.

Campbell was later fined more than $18,000.

“We’re not looking for any calls or anything like that extra, “ said Panthers Coach Ron Rivera, who also spoke with Goodell. “We’re just looking for the rules to be distributed across the board, that’s all.”

Several Rams defensive linemen scoffed at Newton’s complaint.

“We’re got going into this game trying to hurt him,” end William Hayes said. “We’re just going to play the way we play.”

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher said it was “highly unlikely” that Newton was not having fun.

“Just watch him warm up, watch him when he scores a touchdown,” Fisher said. “It looks like he’s having a blast.”

The Rams enjoyed themselves early in the season when they rebounded from an embarrassing loss to the San Francisco 49ers and reeled off three consecutive victories.

They entered an Oct. 9 game against the Buffalo Bills in first place in the NFC West.

A month later, they are in third place after losses to the Bills, the Detroit Lions and the Giants. The Rams were in position to tie the score or win all three games but failed each time in the fourth quarter.

“It’s coming down to two or three plays that we keep missing each game,” receiver Tavon Austin said.

Quarterback Case Keenum has been responsible for several.

He had four passes intercepted against the Giants – two of which were not his fault – but he remains the starter with Fisher seemingly content to keep No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff on the sideline.

Keenum faces a Panthers defense that sacked Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer eight times last week.

Linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis lead a front seven that has helped limit opponents to 80 yards rushing per game. That might not bode well for a Rams offense that has been unable to spring running back Todd Gurley.

“Probably the best linebackering crew that I’ve ever come across, that I’ve ever played against,” Keenum said.

Newton put himself in the best-ever conversation last season when he led the Panthers to a 15-1 regular season and two playoff victories before losing to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Last month, Newton suffered a concussion against the Atlanta Falcons and was sidelined for one game.

He passed for 212 yards and ran for 43 in last week’s 30-20 victory over the Cardinals.

The Rams could be back to full strength on defense if cornerback Trumaine Johnson and defensive tackle Michael Brockers return from injuries on Sunday.

They will need them against Newton.

“He’s a big dude,” Rams safety T.J. McDonald said. “He’s tough to bring down — definitely a guy you have to gang tackle.”

A crowd of officials will be watching.

Notes

As part of the NFL’s “Salute to Service” initiative, the Rams will wear helmet decals Sunday featuring the initials of fallen service members. Players visited with families after Saturday’s walkthrough in a meeting coordinated by the Rams and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Goff, 22, will honor Israel Garcia, who died in 2008 at age 24 in Afghanistan. “It was really eye-opening and special to meet [the family],” Goff said. “Most of the people that are lost are around my age ... The situation I’m in, I’m very thankful to be in it. It really puts life in perspective.” Said safety Cody Davis, who will honor Aaron Michael Allen: “It’s just great to get out with these families, tell them thank you and hear their stories. We’ll have the initials on the back of our helmets and it gives us something to play for.”… This is the Rams’ third home game. They do not play consecutive games at home until the final two weeks against San Francisco and Arizona.