It’s going to be a long week for the Rams.

And the way things continue, it could be a very long season.

The Rams’ 24-19 loss to the Green Packers on Sunday in front of 72,842 spectators at SoFi Stadium – including many Packers fans – dropped their record to 1-4 at the start of their week off.

Coach Sean McVay and the still injury-plagued Rams welcome the farewell.

However, their already dimmed playoff hopes will say goodbye if they don’t make it in the next two weeks before facing the Las Vegas Raiders on October 20th.

“The reality is, a lot of times you think you’re a lot further away than you actually are,” said McVay, who is 1-4 for the first time since being hired in 2017. “There will be a lot of noise from outside,” and we need to stay inside out more than anything.”

The Rams will be on the outside looking in if they don’t fix the issues that plagued them on Sunday. They were unable to overcome inexcusable penalties, a lost fumble and an interception en route to their second straight loss.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love took advantage of all the mistakes and turned them into a field goal and two touchdown passes to tight end Tucker Kraft.

Packers safety Xavier McKinney intercepts the ball from Rams receiver Tutu Atwell in the third quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford nearly pulled off another comeback in the final six minutes, but the 16th-year pro ultimately couldn’t pull off another miracle.

Last season, the Rams suffered a loss to the Packers that dropped their record to 3-6 entering the break. Stafford returned from a thumb injury and led the team to seven wins in eight games, finishing 10-7 and reaching the playoffs.

The Rams could make a similar run if injured players return in time to salvage the season. Star receiver Cooper Kupp is expected to return for the game against the Raiders.

Receiver Puka Nacua and offensive linemen Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom, who suffered injuries in the season-opening loss to the Lions, are also eligible to return from injured reserve, although McVay did not provide a definitive timetable for when they will be ready.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is sacked by Packers defender Karl Brooks in the fourth quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Offensive lineman Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are eligible to return after the game against the Raiders.

Should the Rams take confidence from their turnaround last season?

Offensive lineman Rob Havenstein, a 10th-year pro, dismissed comparative teams from year to year.

“Apples and oranges for me,” he said.

Experienced edge rusher Michael Hoecht also urges caution.

“Each season will write its own story,” he said, “and it’s a long, long season.”

The off week comes at the right time “if we use it properly,” said running back Kyren Williams, who rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries but also lost a fumble.

Williams said he doesn’t expect “the exact same thing” that happened in 2023.

“But I expect the mentality to be kind of the same,” he said. “I expect people to come to work ready to work and do the things we need to do to be successful. Because we can’t feel like this every week.”

Rookie edge rusher Jared Verse played for Florida State in 2023, so the Rams’ first-round draft pick was just an observer from afar for the Rams last season. However, Verse knows that the NFL’s 18-week season allows it to secure playoff spots despite a poor start.

“You have a lot of time to make a change,” he said. “But now it has to start. It should have started some time ago, but now it has to be a very big focus.”

Stafford, in his 16th season, noted that the break will allow him to get away and recharge for the remaining games.

“Played a lot of seasons in this league,” said Stafford, who completed 29 of 45 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. “I started the season with some great records and the season with some difficult ones.”

_{Rams safety Jaylen McCollough runs into the end zone after intercepting a pass from the Packers’ Jordan Love near the goal line.}

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The Rams made things difficult against the Packers, blowing a 13-10 halftime lead that had been gained by Williams’ touchdown run and Jaylen McCollough’s interception return for a score, the Rams defense’s first touchdown since the season 2022.

Williams’ fumble during the first possession of the second half gave Love the opportunity to connect with Kraft for a 66-yard touchdown pass. On the ensuing possession, Xavier McKinney intercepted a pass from Stafford to initiate a Packers attack that ended with Love’s second touchdown pass to Kraft.

The Rams got within 24-19 thanks to Stafford’s short touchdown pass to receiver Demarcus Robinson with 3:30 left. With just under three minutes left, the Rams got the ball back, but Stafford’s fourth-down pass with 1:02 left was incomplete.

Now, with their season in danger of ending, the Rams have time to think.

“I welcome the opportunity to say, ‘Okay, we have some adversity – how do we deal with it?'” McVay said. “Here’s the storm we’ve been talking about, and we want to be proud of how we’re handling it.”