I think this one was on McVay

[Ellard80]

I don't know that there are many (if any) coaches who would have played their starters in that game against the 49ers. It's just not something you do when you need to get everyone to 100% health for a game that matters. Personally, I would have liked to have seen them play everyone in that game, because I *am* a believer in momentum. But this is, above all else, a business. You don't risk your assets when you don't have to.

Yeah I would have played the game out (against the 49ners) or at least played my starters in the 1st half.

However I certainly understand why McVay protected his players and I really can't say his decision was wrong because it is a damned if you do or dont scenario.

 

[Bootleg]

The fact that we came back from the bye-week and destroyed the Giants with 51 points (our best offensive showing of the season) sorta' negates the argument that resting our starters for the playoffs was the issue here.

We lost for a lotta' other reasons, not rest I believe.

 

[Karate61]

Only 1 of those ST turn-overs was Coopers and they should have covered one of them but apparently Jefferson doesn't know how to cover a ball on the ground.

Actually, Cooper had a hand in both turnovers. Post game he said he failed to yell "Poison, Poison, Poison" alerting players to get away. So, both turnovers are on Cooper. Unfortunate it happened in the playoffs. I think these slip ups really impacted the game. They sure gave me that creepy bad feeling watching as a fan.

 

[SaCkaveli20]

Very happy with our season. But, there is ZERO reason Jared Goff should be throwing the ball 45 times in a close game. It almost looked like a Chiefs game where they don't give Hunt the ball. I get McVay was trying to get TGII involved in the passing game, but it should have been pound the rock. I don't think Gurley had two carries in a row did he?
With all that being said, this team is going to be a force in this league for a long time.
Draft Day Wishlist - Carlton Davis & Malik Jefferson. I also feel like we need a big bruising back to spell TGII.

Great season guys!!

 

[MachS]

Atlanta's defense made our offense look slow. Their D Line out ran our O line, their LBs were flying around, and their secondary just gave it to our WRs. That's what stood out to me, looked like they were playing in a whole different gear.

 

[Memphis Ram]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LH9WcT-YKU

I blame both Watkins and Goff on that one.

Watkins because he could have made a better play on the ball and Goff because, once again, Watkins had to break stride because Goff didn't lead him.

 

[LACHAMP46]

for the most part, timing was off due to a very good defensive effort from the Falcons D. The resting issue had zilch to do with the game....

Passes were in position to be defensed...some were behind receivers...some late.

 

[Ramlock]

I thought Atlanta's defense was covering all of the successful plays we ran during the season very well. They were sitting on that screen to Gurley all game, and they were taking away the underneath stuff with surprising precision. They studied. They for sure studied up for this one. Goff was a bit off of his game early on, because there were some opportunities there that weren't executed. I'll concede that there wasn't enough Gurley in this one, but only because there wasn't any cohesiveness in the passing game. When you see that the QB is having to hurry his throws, and that they're loading up the box to rush the passer while stopping the run, then you have to try and impose your will with run blocking. It's what linemen like to do best, and they're doing it for the best RB in the league.

Looked like man coverage, very tight by ATL and a loaded box, like you say, bringing pressure and fitting gaps.

Yep, I wanted a few more carries for 30.

Tough game

Dang it

 

[-X-]

I blame both Watkins and Goff on that one.

Watkins because he could have made a better play on the ball and Goff because, once again, Watkins had to break stride because Goff didn't lead him.

I know the other one you're talking about, and that was bad.
This one wasn't as bad. The ball should never go right between your hands.

 

[blackbart]

Actually, Cooper had a hand in both turnovers. Post game he said he failed to yell "Poison, Poison, Poison" alerting players to get away. So, both turnovers are on Cooper. Unfortunate it happened in the playoffs. I think these slip ups really impacted the game. They sure gave me that creepy bad feeling watching as a fan.

He may have taken responsibility for it and I respect him for that but he was coming forward waving his arms there really wasn't anything he could have done to prevent it from hitting Countess. That is not Cooper's fault and Jefferson had a great shot at recovering it but blew it.

Saying that was Cooper's fault is like saying the Higbee drop was Goff's fault. They were on the the field and had part in the play that's as much "fault" as they had in it.

 

[RedRam]

That first series 2nd and 2 and had 2 bad pass plays, should have been a Gurley start and move the sticks.

No , eh!

It's not like the Rams have some schlemiel back there running the ball. It's Todd FREAKING Gurley for crying out loud!!!:banghead::banghead:

 

[…..]

I've come to expect McVay to script a first quarter that puts us in the lead and puts pressure on opposing teams.

I've also come to expect the Rams to make excellent half time adjustments and come out and win the 3rd quarter.

These two thing I've come to expect because the Rams have done this often, making it a trend. It's a great recipe for winning because it fully establishes rythem and momentum. This game is extremely dependent on momentum.

Unfortunately, this game we did neither of the 2 things above and while we wrestled away the momentum in the 2nd quarter, we were unable to do the same in the 3rd or 4th after the debillitation from the 8 min opening drive.

 

[RedRam]

The fact that we came back from the bye-week and destroyed the Giants with 51 points (our best offensive showing of the season) sorta' negates the argument that resting our starters for the playoffs was the issue here.

We lost for a lotta' other reasons, not rest I believe.

Yeah, but the Giants...

...I'm not sure a top 25 FBS team wouldn't have beaten the Giants there.

 

[Oregonram]

Here it is, nothing else needs to be said
Todd Gurley 7.1 per rush
Todd Gurley MVP candidate 14 carries
Every loss we had has the same blueprint ...putting too much on Goff by not establishing Gurley

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

the first half was irrelevant.

the rams went into the half with the momentum. they came out in the 2nd half with momentum. falcons were doing diddly. coleman caught a screen with his back to the opposition with 10 yards to go on 3rd down. ogletree had a clean shot on him with no blockers in front or beside him. we all saw it unfold and thought it will be 4th and 10 with the rams getting the ball back. instead ogletree whiffs and coleman gets the 1st down. all momentum gone. falcons keep the ball for 8 mins and the rams couldn't regain any momentum for the rest of the game.

one simple tackle missed. changed the whole complexion of the game. i'm not even sure how he missed him, i was too busy cursing the fuck out of him. the main thing you want out of your lbers is sure tackling. that's one thing i'll never understand. yeah he plays fast but fuck me, he had 10 yards to play with. there was no reason to rush in there 100 mph. make sure you tackle him and get off the field.

fuck i'm still so angry about that play. i can't believe how calm all of you seem to be today.

.

 

[kurtfaulk]

I blame both Watkins and Goff on that one.

Watkins because he could have made a better play on the ball and Goff because, once again, Watkins had to break stride because Goff didn't lead him.

they're the kind of catches great receivers make in their sleep.

this game really turned me off watkins. show some fight for the team and your qb.

.

 

[Memphis Ram]

they're the kind of catches great receivers make in their sleep.

this game really turned me off watkins. show some fight for the team and your qb.

.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGsFGiSAydM

 

[Zodi]

Here it is, nothing else needs to be said
Todd Gurley 7.1 per rush
Todd Gurley MVP candidate 14 carries
Every loss we had has the same blueprint ...putting too much on Goff by not establishing Gurley

How many offensive plays are you expecting to call when your defense allows the opposition to stay on the field for 40 minutes?

Time of possession, turnover differential and defense allowing third down conversions were a huge part of losing to Minnesota, Philly and Atlanta. Not sure you can put that totally on offensive play calling.

 

[kurtfaulk]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGsFGiSAydM

really?

the rams better find out why the fuck watkins won't fight for any balls. if he's too worried about his feet they might be better off letting him walk.

.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I was laughed at for saying Atlanta was the one team I had hoped the Rams didn't have to face. They were a tough match up for an young team with no playoff experience, missing a starting DB, lacking a true shutdown corner on the roster, and a QB that looked inaccurate at seasons end.

Atlanta has a good defense and we gave them 13 pts of of turnovers. Maybe McVay didn't have his best game - but those turnovers (like they are in 85% of NFL games) were the difference.

If you are playing a bad team, or a bad defensive team - you can sometimes get away with those mistakes.

But two in one game - in the playoffs- against a team of Atlanta's caliber.

You're not winning.

I think it was nerves or being tight on Cooper's part. Once he screwed up he never relaxed. Maybe if the first have had gone well and the Rams got a lead the result would have been better, but the second half was as bad as it gets so it's tough to say.

I don't think resting his starters had anything to do with the loss. Inexperience was our problem last night.
We can second guess his decision all we want but if Goff or Gurley got hurt in that last game the pitchforks would have come out and people would be yelling for McVays head.

I disagree. I have seen it in many sports. The late season bye is not always good for a team. I think it is especially bad in baseball. My biggest concern was Goff's accuracy in the last few games. He seemed to regress a little. I am sure more work with the QB guru in the off-season each year will help him be more consistent technically but I thought he needed a game to work out the kinks.