In the preseason, everything matters besides the final score. In the regular season and playoffs, it’s almost the exact opposite: Just about nothing matters but the score when the final whistle blows.

The Los Angeles Rams got a feel for that on Sunday when they came away with an ugly 27-17 win over the Jaguars, scoring just seven points on offense. Special teams provided the additional 20, proving to be the difference in the game for Sean McVay’s squad.

The first-year head coach praised John Fassel’s unit after the win, saying it was the difference in the game.

“It’s huge. It ended up winning the game for us,” McVay said. “Can’t say enough about those guys. Great job by Pharoh Cooper to start out the game, then we get the blocked punt – Malcolm Brown’s able to finish it. So John Fassel and Tyrone McKenzie did a great job with those guys, getting them ready for an excellent opponent. Can’t say enough about their effort and that was the difference in the football game today.”

The Rams’ special teams unit scored 20 points on Cooper’s kickoff return to open the game, Cory Littleton’s blocked punt and two field goals by Greg Zuerlein – one of which was from 56 yards out. His 29-yarder in the final minutes iced the game for the Rams, sealing the victory in the waning moments.

McVay is absolutely right when he says special teams won the game for L.A. with the offense struggling against an elite defense.

“It’s nice to have special teams and defense play well enough for us to win that football game. I think they did a great job,” McVay said. “Offensively, it was not good enough. … We’ve got to do a better job of capitalizing on some opportunities in the pass game, and that’s going to be a point of emphasis moving forward because we have to improve there.”

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McVay did credit the Jaguars for having “one of the top defenses in the league,” but the offense can’t continue to sputter the way it has. In the last two weeks, the Rams’ offense has generated just 14 points in the last two weeks. Special teams has outscored L.A.’s offense, which is a troublesome trend.

Facing a resurgent Cardinals team in London won’t do the Rams any favors, but a week off after that should help Jared Goff’s unit get back on track.