- Joined
- May 9, 2018
- Messages
- 5,048
1. Did anyone deserve to win that game?
2. It was an ugly tree. Turnovers, punt coverage and kicking game turned a game that should have been a runaway victory into a frustrating nail biter.
3. The Giants went all out with the blitz. The Rams handled it at times, with some very effective screens and roll-out plays, but it was also disruptive, and Stafford took too many hits.
4. That's not an excuse for two interceptions, which were just bad throws, nor does it excuse the dropped passes that helped scuttle at least two drives.
5. The defense had its moments, particularly rushing the passer, but it again was beat deep, and allowed Tyrod Taylor to nearly run them out of the Meadowlands on the final drive.
6. Special teams, though, may have been the biggest culprit. Two missed extra points and a second punt return TD allowed in four weeks. Not good.
7. The Giants, thankfully, were in a giving mood too, as Taylor missed a sure fire two point conversion, and "former Ram" Mason Crosby missed an extra point and a potential game winning FG.
8. Was it the Giants style? The Rams looking past them? The pitfalls of a young team that, for all its recent success, still has deficiencies?
9. And, does it matter? The Steelers did us a solid and took out the Seahawks, turning the day into a playoff clinching celebration, and making this season a beautiful forest!
10. My offensive player of the week is Kyren Williams. His 87 yards rushing, 14 yards receiving, and 3 TDs (not to mention some man-sized blitz pickups) kept the team moving all day. He is having an amazing season.
11. You have to give Puka Nacua a shout-out as well, as his 118 yards moved him to third on the all-time rookie receiving yards list, passing Justin Jefferson. With 29 more yards, he'll have the record (passing Jamar Chase and Bill Groman).
12. How much did we miss Alaric Jackson? Hard to say, given the fact that the pressure on Stafford was due to blitz packages creating free runs at the QB, but it certainly didn't help to have him out. Hopefully, his personal issue is short-term.
13. My defensive MVP is Kobe Turner. His numbers jump off the page: 5 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 QB hits. He now leads all rookies with 9 sacks, tying Aaron Donald's record for most sacks by a rookie DT.
14. Donald added 2 sacks of his own, and Byron Yong had one, bringing his total to 7 (tied for second among rookies). I'm not going to spend much time now talking about offseason moves, but adding another high end edge rusher to Turner, Donald and Young could take the D to the next level.
15. As for immediate moves... how can we stick with Lucas Havrisik? There MUST be someone who could do a better job? Right? Anyone?
16. Ethan Evans has a huge leg (57.4 yards per punt), but he clearly is outkicking the coverage. At this point, I'd trade some punt yardage for some hang time. Can he make that adjustment and, if so, can he do it soon?
17. Enough about the today's difficulties. This team came into the season with so many people doubting that it could compete. A combination of veteran leadership, an amazing rookie (and 2nd year) class, and some very good schemes by the coaches has brought us back to the playoffs for the 5th time in 7 seasons under Sean McVay's leadership.
18. While I predicted a playoff spot (with a 10-7 record) before the season starts, I'm not ready to call this team a contender. That said, they're not going to be an easy out, and, next year... look out!
19. The Rams face a 49ers team that has clinched the No. 1 seed in Week 18. Will the 49ers play their starters and, if so, for how long? And, will the Rams go all out to try to hold on the No. 6 seed, which likely would mean a trip to Detroit to see an old friend, rather than a tough matchup at Dallas (or, less likely, Philadelphia)? Stay tuned!
20. Either way, the Rams will play an 18th game this year. Celebrate! And... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
2. It was an ugly tree. Turnovers, punt coverage and kicking game turned a game that should have been a runaway victory into a frustrating nail biter.
3. The Giants went all out with the blitz. The Rams handled it at times, with some very effective screens and roll-out plays, but it was also disruptive, and Stafford took too many hits.
4. That's not an excuse for two interceptions, which were just bad throws, nor does it excuse the dropped passes that helped scuttle at least two drives.
5. The defense had its moments, particularly rushing the passer, but it again was beat deep, and allowed Tyrod Taylor to nearly run them out of the Meadowlands on the final drive.
6. Special teams, though, may have been the biggest culprit. Two missed extra points and a second punt return TD allowed in four weeks. Not good.
7. The Giants, thankfully, were in a giving mood too, as Taylor missed a sure fire two point conversion, and "former Ram" Mason Crosby missed an extra point and a potential game winning FG.
8. Was it the Giants style? The Rams looking past them? The pitfalls of a young team that, for all its recent success, still has deficiencies?
9. And, does it matter? The Steelers did us a solid and took out the Seahawks, turning the day into a playoff clinching celebration, and making this season a beautiful forest!
10. My offensive player of the week is Kyren Williams. His 87 yards rushing, 14 yards receiving, and 3 TDs (not to mention some man-sized blitz pickups) kept the team moving all day. He is having an amazing season.
11. You have to give Puka Nacua a shout-out as well, as his 118 yards moved him to third on the all-time rookie receiving yards list, passing Justin Jefferson. With 29 more yards, he'll have the record (passing Jamar Chase and Bill Groman).
12. How much did we miss Alaric Jackson? Hard to say, given the fact that the pressure on Stafford was due to blitz packages creating free runs at the QB, but it certainly didn't help to have him out. Hopefully, his personal issue is short-term.
13. My defensive MVP is Kobe Turner. His numbers jump off the page: 5 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 QB hits. He now leads all rookies with 9 sacks, tying Aaron Donald's record for most sacks by a rookie DT.
14. Donald added 2 sacks of his own, and Byron Yong had one, bringing his total to 7 (tied for second among rookies). I'm not going to spend much time now talking about offseason moves, but adding another high end edge rusher to Turner, Donald and Young could take the D to the next level.
15. As for immediate moves... how can we stick with Lucas Havrisik? There MUST be someone who could do a better job? Right? Anyone?
16. Ethan Evans has a huge leg (57.4 yards per punt), but he clearly is outkicking the coverage. At this point, I'd trade some punt yardage for some hang time. Can he make that adjustment and, if so, can he do it soon?
17. Enough about the today's difficulties. This team came into the season with so many people doubting that it could compete. A combination of veteran leadership, an amazing rookie (and 2nd year) class, and some very good schemes by the coaches has brought us back to the playoffs for the 5th time in 7 seasons under Sean McVay's leadership.
18. While I predicted a playoff spot (with a 10-7 record) before the season starts, I'm not ready to call this team a contender. That said, they're not going to be an easy out, and, next year... look out!
19. The Rams face a 49ers team that has clinched the No. 1 seed in Week 18. Will the 49ers play their starters and, if so, for how long? And, will the Rams go all out to try to hold on the No. 6 seed, which likely would mean a trip to Detroit to see an old friend, rather than a tough matchup at Dallas (or, less likely, Philadelphia)? Stay tuned!
20. Either way, the Rams will play an 18th game this year. Celebrate! And... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
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