Rams tape review: Getting to Cam Newton, and Case Keenum goes left-handed

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Rams tight end Tyler Higbee stretches out to catch, but misses, a pass in the end zone while he’s defended by Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis during the second half.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

2/26

Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner, right, commits pass interference while defending Panthers receiver Devin Fuchess in the first quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

3/26

Rams quarterback Case Keenum is sacked by Panthers defensive tackle Mario Addison during the third quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

4/26

Panthers safety Colin Jones dives to down a punt at the one-yard line during the first quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

5/26

Rams quarterback Case Keenum fumbles the ball as Panthers Thomas Davis hits him in the second quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

6/26

Rams quarterback Case Keenum fumbles the ball after Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis hit him during the second quarter, but running back Benny Cunningham catches it.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

7/26

Panthers defensive backs James Bradberry, left, and Kurt Coleman, celebrate after preventing a long pass from Rams quarterback Case Keenum to receiver Brian Quick, left, late in the fourth quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

8/26

Rams tight end Tyler Higbee can’t hold on to a pass as he’s brought down by Panthers safety Tre Boston during the second half.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

9/26

Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines, center, and linebacker Mark Barron try to bring down Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin during the second quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

10/26

Rams running back Todd Gurley is taken down after a long run during the second quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

11/26

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton delights a young fan by tossing him the ball he threw for a touchdown to tight end Greg Olsen in the first quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

12/26

Rams receiver Kenny Britt catches a touchdown pass in front of Panthers James Bradberry for a 10-yard score late in the fourth quarter

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

13/26

Panthers cornerback James Bradberry has position on Rams receiver Tavon Austin on a long pass from quarterback Case Keenum. The pass was incomplete.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

14/26

Rams tight end Lance Kendricks misses a Case Keenum pass at the goal line at the Coliseum on Nov. 6 (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams tight end Lance Kendricks is upended by Panthers safety Michael Griffin after a short gain during the second half.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

16/26

Rams backup quarteback Jared Goff watches from the sidelines during the second half.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams running back Benny Cunningham eludes Panthers safety Kurt Coleman as tackle Greg Robinson tumbles nearby during second-quarter action.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

18/26

Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis intercepts a pass in front of Rams receiver Tyler Higbee during the third quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

19/26

Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald sacks Panthers quarterback Cam Newton early in the fourth quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

20/26

Panthers kicker Graham Gano hits a 37-yard field goal to give Carolina a 13-3 lead over the Rams midway through the fourth quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Rams quarterback Case Keenum scrambles from the Panthers’ rush during the second quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

22/26

Rams defensive lineman Eugene Sims, 97, and teammate Ethan Westbrooks celebrate after sacking Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the second quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

23/26

Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin can’t make the catch in the end zone in front of Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson in the fourth quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

24/26

Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein twists his body as he misses a 55-yard field-goal attempt in the first quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

25/26

Rams tight end Tyler Higbee hauls in a 31-yard pass over Panthers linebacker A.J. Klein during first-half action.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

26/26

Kicker Greg Zuerlein and long snapper Jake McQuaide walk past a mural of Rams players hours before their game against Panthers.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

By Matt Wilhalme

Nov. 8, 2016 7:30 AM PT

The Rams lost to the Carolina Panthers, 13-10, on Sunday to extend the team’s losing streak to four games.

Each week we take a look at what worked, what didn’t and what you might have missed. This week, we pay special attention to plays involving Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

What: Panthers QB Cam Newton connects with TE Greg Olsen for a touchdown

Down: Third and five

Time: 4:18 left in first quarter

Here Newton zones in on his primary receiver, Greg Olsen (88), prior to the snap. The 6-foot-5 tight end has the advantage on safety T.J. McDonald (6-foot-2), but simply spins to the open middle of the field and gives Newton an easy throw to make for the score.

“When he got a head-start release, it was pretty much good riddance after that,” Newton said of the play.

What: Rams DE Eugene Sims sacks Newton for an eight-yard loss

Down: Second and 10

Time: 6:29 left in the second quarter

Newton spoke to the NFL in the week leading up to Carolina’s trip to L.A. about how defenders haven’t been flagged for roughing the passer against him despite issuing illegal hits. Following this play, he should probably talk with left tackle Mike Remmers (74) or running back Jonathan Stewart (28) about how they let defensive end Eugene Sims (97) crush their quarterback without so much as laying a finger on him.

What: Rams RB Todd Gurley breaks off his longest run of the year from the wildcat

Down: First and 10

Time: 4:48 left in second quarter

While Gurley (30) only had 12 total carries, his longest of the season — an 18-yard run — came out of the wildcat formation. Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) appears most concerned with tight end Lance Kendricks (88) before the ball is snapped, and maybe rightly so. Watch how Kendricks runs along the offensive line and actually cuts defensive end Kony Ealy (94) and safety Tre Boston (33) off from the play.

What: Rams LB/S Mark Barron’s delayed rush takes out Newton, and prompts Panthers to seek review

Down: Second and nine

Time: 5:03 left in third quarter

Following the game Newton was asked if he felt like he received better treatment from the referees, to which he replied: “I’m not worried about that. Just trying to find ways to win.”

Apparently, after reviewing the tape, the Panthers have decided he didn’t and have sent tape of his sack by Mark Barron (26) to the league for further review, according to an ESPN report.

Barron gets an open lane and goes unimpeded to Newton in the pocket. He appears to lead with his shoulder, but his forearm comes out a bit on the hit.

What: Rams QB Case Keenum goes left-handed to get a completion and keep a late drive going

Down: Second and 10

Time: 1:30 left in fourth quarter

The Rams’ longest drive (15 plays) came on their last possession of the game. Here Keenum has linebacker Thomas Davis (58) bearing down on him and cutting off his throwing angle with his right hand, so he switches hands and manages to get the ball out to running back Benny Cunningham (23), who picks up six yards on the play.

matt.wilhalme@latimes.com

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme

Rams tape review: Getting to Cam Newton, and Case Keenum goes left-handed

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