The Rams are starting slowly every week, and they're already in an early season hole at 1-4

LOS ANGELES (AP) — If fans of the Los Angeles Rams feel as if their team is starting every game in a hole during this dismal season, that's because they are.

The Rams (1-4) have yet to score a first-quarter touchdown in five games, repeatedly falling behind early. Matthew Stafford and his offense have been forced to play with a deficit each week, and they've only managed to rally back to win once.

That's a shocker for a team coached by Sean McVay, whose game-opening scripts have been some of the NFL's best during his eight years in charge. Los Angeles' only points in the first quarter this season have been two field goals.

Partly as a result of these early struggles, the Rams are in another hole: They're tied with Carolina for the worst record in the NFC as they head to their bye week.

“This doesn’t feel good right now, being in this situation,” McVay said.

The slow-start problems were exemplified Sunday in the Rams' 24-19 loss to Green Bay. Stafford drove the Rams 66 yards to the Packers 4, but Los Angeles turned the ball over on downs with back-to-back incomplete passes toward Colby Parkinson.

The Rams scored an offensive touchdown in the second quarter and even took their first halftime lead of the season thanks to Jaylen McCollough's TD return of Jordan Love's atrocious interception, but Los Angeles' offense failed to score on six of its first seven drives while Green Bay pulled away.

McVay and Stafford have put together innumerable big drives during their four years together, but doing it without Stafford's top two receivers has proved nearly impossible over the past month. McVay is still hoping Super Bowl 56 MVP Cooper Kupp can return from his sprained ankle after the bye, but it isn’t guaranteed — and fellow receiver Puka Nacua doesn’t appear to be close to a comeback from his knee injury.

The Rams’ numerous injuries have set them back, and those problems likely won’t abate much during the bye. Los Angeles needs to make many adjustments quickly to avoid a second injury-riddled losing season in three years.

“There are some comps (to 2022), and then there’s also some unique differences just because of the injuries we took on in training camp and then in the season,” McVay said Monday. “I’m hopeful we’re going to see some improvement and good things ahead.”

Despite their dismal record, the Rams have only been blown out once. McVay's team has been competitive in the second half of every game, showing heart and fight. That hasn't translated into nearly enough success, but Los Angeles hasn't been repeatedly outclassed this season, as it often was two years ago while flopping to a 5-12 record.

The Rams have the NFL's worst run defense, allowing 157.6 yards per game through five weeks. Coordinator Chris Shula's 3-4 scheme did little to slow down the Packers, but he shares responsibility with everyone — particularly the inside linebackers who are not getting stops.

Safety Kam Curl finally got put in a role that suits him, and he responded with an outstanding game against Green Bay. He pressured Love multiple times and batted down a pass while also contributing as a hard hitter in run defense. The Rams tried to use Curl as a deep coverage safety earlier in the season while compensating for injuries.

The Rams’ injury-filled offensive line had another poor game, allowing Stafford to get hit 10 times and sacked three times. The 16-year veteran reported back soreness after the game, although McVay claims it isn’t serious — for now.

WR Jordan Whittington injured his shoulder during his breakout performance, while LT Alaric Jackson has a swollen knee and DT Braden Fiske has a sore shoulder. McVay didn't think the injuries were potentially season-altering.

95 — Kyren Williams' rushing attempts through five weeks, tied with Derrick Henry for the second most in the NFL. Williams and Henry are tied for the league lead with 6 rushing TDs, while Williams' 360 yards rushing are ninth in the league. Despite running behind that patchwork offensive line, Williams has proved his breakout Pro Bowl season in 2023 wasn't a fluke. He's one of the league's top running backs.

Their bye is early in the season, but the Rams need every week of injury recovery they can get. They have two games in five days when they return, hosting the Raiders and Vikings.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) is grabbed by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young (0) and defensive tackle Kobie Turner (91) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) stiff-arms Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams (24) while running for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) is grabbed by Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams (33) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The mayor of a state capital in southern Mexico has been killed just one week after he took office, officials said Sunday.

Alejandro Arcos was sworn in last Monday as mayor of Chilpancingo, a city so violent that a drug gang openly staged a demonstration, hijacked a government armored car and took police hostage in 2023 to win the release of arrested suspects.

Chilpancingo is the capital of Guerrero state, where Acapulco is located.

The state prosecutors’ office issued a statement Sunday confirming Arcos had been killed, but provided no details.

Alejandro Moreno, the national leader of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, lamented Arcos' killing and said the newly installed secretary of the city council had also been murdered three days earlier.

“They had been in office less than a week,” Moreno wrote on his social media accounts. “They were young and honest public servants who were seeking progress for their community.”

Chilpancingo has long been the scene of bloody turf battles between two drug gangs, the Ardillos and the Tlacos. The battle has resulted in dozens of gruesome killings and some high-profile scandals.

A previous mayor was caught on video apparently holding a meeting with leaders of one of the gangs at a restaurant. She was subsequently expelled from her party.

In July 2023, federal officials said a demonstration held by hundreds of people in Chilpancingo that month had been organized by the Ardillos gang to win the release of two gang leaders arrested for drugs and weapons possession.

The demonstrators largely blocked all traffic on the highway between Mexico City and Acapulco for two days, battled security forces and commandeered a police armored truck and used it to ram down the gates of the state legislature building.

The demonstrators abducted 10 members of the state police and National Guard, as well as three state and federal officials, and held them hostage to enforce their demands before releasing them.

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Supporters of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos throw flowers during his funeral service, one week after he took office, in Chilpancingo, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez)

Relatives of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos cry during his funeral service, one week after he took office, in Chilpancingo, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez)

Relatives of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos carry his coffin during his funeral service, one week after he took office, in Chilpancingo, Guerrero state, Mexico, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez)

Supporters of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos attend his funeral Mass one week after he took office, in Chilpancingo, Mexico, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez)

A supporter of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos prays at the entrance of the municipal building one week after he took office in Chilpancingo, Mexico, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez)

Supporters of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos attend his funeral Mass one week after he took office, in Chilpancingo, Mexico, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez)

Supporters of slain Mayor Alejandro Arcos place candles and flowers at the entrance of the municipal building one week after he took office in Chilpancingo, Mexico, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Alejandrino Gonzalez)