Rams find meaning in memories despitedepressingend

Kobie Turner stood at his locker tall and proud. Stoic even.This was a stark contrast to the rest of his Rams teammates who remained shocked, still replaying the moments in their mind from their 31-27 loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday night. But Turner’s demeanor was different.In the waning moments of a crushing defeat that closed the door on his Super Bowl dream, Turner found something different in the darkness — gratitude. “It stings a lot,” said Turner. “But honestly, these past couple of weeks I’ve been thinking back through everything and just how special this team is.” The season may have not ended with confetti or champagne, but it came agonizingly close.

That’s how thin the margin is between history and heartbreak.And yet, for Turner, after the final seconds bled away, what remained wasn’t emptiness. It was memories and meaning. Make no mistake, as much as this Rams season will be remembered for missed opportunities, an equal amount will be remembered for its excellence. Matthew Stafford, after barely practicing in training camp because of a back injury, played like a quarterback possessed, operating at an MVP level and guiding the highest-scoring offense in the NFL. Sean McVay’s offense hummed with precision and menace, powered by the ferocity of Puka Nacua, the polished brilliance of Davante Adams, and a two-headed rushing attack that punished defenses into submission. On the other side of the ball, Chris Shula’s defense announced itself as the future — a relentless pass rush, 26 forced turnovers, fifth-most in the league, and the unmistakable feeling that something sustainable had been built.But championship games don’t reward résumés. They demand perfection.

And on Sunday, the Rams were human. A special teams mistake flipped momentum.The linebackers and secondary, stitched together by bargain signings and internal development, bent too far in Seattle.

The offense, lethal al...