- Joined
- Dec 22, 2015
- Messages
- 2,615
- Name
- John
After yesterdays frustrating loss to the Bills, I, like most of you, proceeded to beat my dogs mercilessly, and snap at my wife and daughter for no particular reason. (Actually I didn't. Don't do this. It won't end well for you. Besides, its...say it with me...just a game.)
As with most losses, it triggered the usual Pavlov's Fan responses:
When all we were looking for was a little ointment for our disappointment.... A little soothing salve for our souls....some balm for our beet red butts. OK stop!
After reading many of the usual laments from my Ram ROD brothers, (and some of my own), something didn't ring true about the fatalistic tone. I took a quick look at the box score this morning, looking for a silver lining to the disappointing loss. Some things stood out to me. Suffice to say:
Bills second drive. The Rams respond to the touchdown, after their own opening drive for a field goal, by driving to the Bills 30. Then a sack. Then Gurley fumbles. Defense races onto the field, still adjusting to the new starting lineup. Boom. McCoy 53 yards up the gut. Bills score again. Bills 13-3.
B) Rams in Control: Then the Rams defense settles down, forces 2 of their 6 three-and-outs on the day. McCoy and the running game was held in check. (The Rams Offense only had 2 three-and-outs on the day, or 3 if you count the botched fake punt)
The Rams offense showed tremendous character, chipping away at the lead with a field goal, and tying the game on an impressive drive, culminating in Gurley's 1 yard plunge. Rams Tie 13-13
A) Rams out of Control: Then, it happened again. The Rams take back the momentum of the game, with under 2 minutes to play in the half, and decide to relax the defense. (How many flipping times have the Rams done this over the years??!!! It is not just a Fisher thing. I remember with Knox, Malavasi, Robinson, even Vermeil and Martz. (But not Hamp Pool...Never Hamp Pool!
) If there is 30 seconds left in the second quarter, the Rams will let teams march on down the field!!
...But I digress. Boom. McCoy 9, and 17 yds. Bills 16-13.
2nd Half
A) Rams in Control: Bills three-and-out (3), Rams drive down and tie the game 16-16. A pattern emerged- The offense was providing consistent, clutch scoring drives when they need them. Bills three-and-out (4). (But the Rams extend the drive on a bone-head :eek: running into the punter.) So what does the defense do in response? Bills three-and-out (5). (I'm using copy and paste right now, look at me. ) Two three and outs in the same drive. Yeah, that's how I choose to see it. The defense was being somewhat dominant by now. It was mid 3rd quarter and there was a sense that the Rams would pull this thing off. Then........ (the 2:04 mark) ...the pick 6. Bills 23-16.
View: https://youtu.be/lxN-H2lXCaI
...but the Rams defense was still in control. After a Rams three-and-out, the Bills got 1 first down, then the Rams ran another clutch offensive drive into the Red Zone, but couldn't punch it in. With 5:55 to play in the game from the 4 yd line, Fisher elects to kick the field goal, Bills 23-19 *trusting his defense. It pays off: Bills three-and-out.
But then the Rams lose control...
B) Rams out of Control: The Rams offense stalls, playing very conservative, when they needed to drive down for a winning TD. Fourth down....(man, I bet Fisher would have given anything to be at the 4-yard line again, like he was a few minutes earlier.) 3:47 to go...What to do...fake a punt! *Not trusting his defense. Boom. didn't work. Bills ball at the Rams 25. McCoy 24 yds. Next play, TD Bills 30-19.
Keenum picked off again in desperation mode...over.
Final Tally:
B) Rams out of Control: Bills 8 carries 162 yds!!
A) Rams in control: Bills 19 carries 31 yds!!!
:cheers:
As with most losses, it triggered the usual Pavlov's Fan responses:
- Fire Fisher!
- Keenum sucks! Start Goff!
- Grob is a bust!
- Our Oline sucks! Fire Coach Bou.
- 7-9 Crap!
When all we were looking for was a little ointment for our disappointment.... A little soothing salve for our souls....some balm for our beet red butts. OK stop!
After reading many of the usual laments from my Ram ROD brothers, (and some of my own), something didn't ring true about the fatalistic tone. I took a quick look at the box score this morning, looking for a silver lining to the disappointing loss. Some things stood out to me. Suffice to say:
- The Bills Ran for 193 yards on the ground on 27 carries. If one saw this statistic without seeing the game, one would assume the Bills 1) Dominated the time of possession, and 2) Dominated the game.
- Neither were true. The Bills rushing yards were really a tale of 2 situations: A.) When the Rams were out of control of the game, and B.) When the Rams regained control of the game.
Bills second drive. The Rams respond to the touchdown, after their own opening drive for a field goal, by driving to the Bills 30. Then a sack. Then Gurley fumbles. Defense races onto the field, still adjusting to the new starting lineup. Boom. McCoy 53 yards up the gut. Bills score again. Bills 13-3.
B) Rams in Control: Then the Rams defense settles down, forces 2 of their 6 three-and-outs on the day. McCoy and the running game was held in check. (The Rams Offense only had 2 three-and-outs on the day, or 3 if you count the botched fake punt)
The Rams offense showed tremendous character, chipping away at the lead with a field goal, and tying the game on an impressive drive, culminating in Gurley's 1 yard plunge. Rams Tie 13-13
A) Rams out of Control: Then, it happened again. The Rams take back the momentum of the game, with under 2 minutes to play in the half, and decide to relax the defense. (How many flipping times have the Rams done this over the years??!!! It is not just a Fisher thing. I remember with Knox, Malavasi, Robinson, even Vermeil and Martz. (But not Hamp Pool...Never Hamp Pool!
) If there is 30 seconds left in the second quarter, the Rams will let teams march on down the field!!...But I digress. Boom. McCoy 9, and 17 yds. Bills 16-13.
2nd Half
A) Rams in Control: Bills three-and-out (3), Rams drive down and tie the game 16-16. A pattern emerged- The offense was providing consistent, clutch scoring drives when they need them. Bills three-and-out (4). (But the Rams extend the drive on a bone-head :eek: running into the punter.) So what does the defense do in response? Bills three-and-out (5). (I'm using copy and paste right now, look at me.
) Two three and outs in the same drive. Yeah, that's how I choose to see it. The defense was being somewhat dominant by now. It was mid 3rd quarter and there was a sense that the Rams would pull this thing off. Then........ (the 2:04 mark) ...the pick 6. Bills 23-16.View: https://youtu.be/lxN-H2lXCaI
...but the Rams defense was still in control. After a Rams three-and-out, the Bills got 1 first down, then the Rams ran another clutch offensive drive into the Red Zone, but couldn't punch it in. With 5:55 to play in the game from the 4 yd line, Fisher elects to kick the field goal, Bills 23-19 *trusting his defense. It pays off: Bills three-and-out.
But then the Rams lose control...
B) Rams out of Control: The Rams offense stalls, playing very conservative, when they needed to drive down for a winning TD. Fourth down....(man, I bet Fisher would have given anything to be at the 4-yard line again, like he was a few minutes earlier.) 3:47 to go...What to do...fake a punt! *Not trusting his defense. Boom. didn't work. Bills ball at the Rams 25. McCoy 24 yds. Next play, TD Bills 30-19.
Keenum picked off again in desperation mode...over.
Final Tally:
B) Rams out of Control: Bills 8 carries 162 yds!!
A) Rams in control: Bills 19 carries 31 yds!!!
- First Downs: Rams 23-15
- Time of Possession: Rams 35:34-24:26
- Punts: Bills 6 Rams 2
- Total Yards Rams 345 Bills 305
:cheers:
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