Number 2 is there for the taking

[Montanaramfan]

While most of you were rooting for a Philly victory last night, I was hoping Seattle would win. If you truly believe in this team, you don't want them slipping in the back door to the playoffs with help of others, you want them kicking the freaking door down!

Although I think McVay has been a bit pass-happy of late, I can see Goff airing it out 50 times on Sunday. Philly is tough vs the run and, to be honest, we haven't ran the ball that well (or that much) lately. McVay is good at taking advantage of the other team's weakness (much like Belichick) and I think he'll go after Philly's secondary with a handful of the usual screens to Gurley sprinkled in. You saw last night that Wentz can be gotten to and I think the Rams defensive line will get their share of hits on him. My only concern is our defense. Is our secondary and linebacking group good enough to slow Philly down? I think so.

The next week we head to Seattle for the showdown. We were literally inches away (on Gurley's freak fumble at the pylon and Kupp's near catch at the end) from beating this team with five turnovers and a full Legion of Boom. I can see a tight game with us coming out on top. We've played in tough places (Minnesota, Arizona) and are battle-tested. I think we'll be fine. If Minnesota can somehow trip up and lose to Carolina this week and Green Bay (with Rodgers) in a couple weeks, we could actually end up with the top seed. As I said earlier, believe!

 

[tempests]

There's tie breaker considerations too. We need Seattle to lose conference games in the event we're tied in the standings at the end of the season.

Thanks to last night Philly and Seattle are virtual must wins and even then that doesn't guarantee the division title.

 

[snackdaddy]

Yes, Philly is a big game. But I have a feeling that game in Seattle will decide the division. The road to the division runs through there.

 

[HitStick]

Looking at it, if we win out, we can get that first round bye. That would be huge!

 

[Merlin]

McVay really needs to make some offensive adjustments. I realize how good a job he's done with this offense, btw, but that doesn't mean the dude is perfect.

First off there needs to be a little more balance in the run/pass vs this Eagles front. They're very good and that run game can help to keep things a little settled with keeping them honest.

Secondly I'd like to see more of the quick hitters and north/south runs between the tackles. As much as I love the power pulling and off tackle action those are slower developing and against quick fronts like the Eagles or Seahawks it can be tough to sustain. I'd welcome 3-5 yards up the middle against a D like that and take my chances with Jared getting favorable 3rd and longs vs risking the pitch motion with loss of yards. Granted with Gurley sometimes those end up being huge gains, but still I think they need to consider how much they do that vs this defense.

Third he needs to stop pi$$ing away downs by handing it off to Tavon down the middle. The interior runs with Tavon are very low chance of winning. The runs outside I'm fine with in small numbers, in particular the jet sweeps when they get the right look, and I'm also of the opinion that Tavon can run some bubble screen type actions and maybe get us a big play. But for those instances they want to spell Gurley and run it between the tackles, it is time to use Davis (assuming they don't get Brown back).

Lastly I really enjoyed the integration of Everett in the last game and hope it continues. He is very close to being a key weapon in this offense, need to continue the opportunities in the passing game and hope that he can start to give McVay that threat he's mostly lacked this season from the TE position. Still believe that is the "missing heat" from this offense, where they stand to gain the most improvement down the stretch of tough games and into the playoffs; we need another big target that can be depended on in this passing game and if Everett raises the bar with the opportunity the payoff will be profound IMO.

 

[Adi]

Mcvay us keeping Todd fresh and I love his aggressive play calling . It's all about catching the defense sleeping.

Team needs to stay focused on taking it 1 week at a time, cant slip up and lose a spot in the tournament .

Of course this is the year the nfc is tough and you might need 11- 12 wins to make the playoffs .

 

[Rams43]

McVay really needs to make some offensive adjustments. I realize how good a job he's done with this offense, btw, but that doesn't mean the dude is perfect.

First off there needs to be a little more balance in the run/pass vs this Eagles front. They're very good and that run game can help to keep things a little settled with keeping them honest.

Secondly I'd like to see more of the quick hitters and north/south runs between the tackles. As much as I love the power pulling and off tackle action those are slower developing and against quick fronts like the Eagles or Seahawks it can be tough to sustain. I'd welcome 3-5 yards up the middle against a D like that and take my chances with Jared getting favorable 3rd and longs vs risking the pitch motion with loss of yards. Granted with Gurley sometimes those end up being huge gains, but still I think they need to consider how much they do that vs this defense.

Third he needs to stop pi$$ing away downs by handing it off to Tavon down the middle. The interior runs with Tavon are very low chance of winning. The runs outside I'm fine with in small numbers, in particular the jet sweeps when they get the right look, and I'm also of the opinion that Tavon can run some bubble screen type actions and maybe get us a big play. But for those instances they want to spell Gurley and run it between the tackles, it is time to use Davis (assuming they don't get Brown back).

Lastly I really enjoyed the integration of Everett in the last game and hope it continues. He is very close to being a key weapon in this offense, need to continue the opportunities in the passing game and hope that he can start to give McVay that threat he's mostly lacked this season from the TE position. Still believe that is the "missing heat" from this offense, where they stand to gain the most improvement down the stretch of tough games and into the playoffs; we need another big target that can be depended on in this passing game and if Everett raises the bar with the opportunity the payoff will be profound IMO.

Outstanding post, Merlin.

Agree on all points.

Hopefully, McVay will see the need for some tweaking on playcalls.

That BS vs the Cards will be fatal against these upcoming teams.

 

[WarnerToBruce]

McVay really needs to make some offensive adjustments. I realize how good a job he's done with this offense, btw, but that doesn't mean the dude is perfect.

....

Great points Merlin. I'd add to that one thing that I think he should sprinkle in and hasn't yet: the simple DRAW play.

We pass off play-action VERY effectively. Gurley is also very effective on screens. Once in a while I'd like to see Goff simply give the rock to Gurley straight up the middle on a draw. In watching the film, the backers are dropping into coverage hard (and one is usually set to follow RB on the screen), busting up the gut feels like a solid counter and another thing for D to prepare for.

 

[DaveFan'51]

Thanks to last night Philly and Seattle are virtual must wins and even then that doesn't guarantee the division title.

I think you are mistaken about this^ If we beat Philly and the Hag's we are 2 Games up on the Hag's with 2 games left in the Season. Tenn. and the 49ers. I say we will clinch the Division Title!

 

[tempests]

I think you are mistaken about this^ If we beat Philly and the Hag's we are 2 Games up on the Hag's with 2 games left in the Season. Tenn. and the 49ers. I say we will clinch the Division Title!

Yes, but as it stands today, the Rams can beat both Philly and Seattle and still not have the division wrapped up. If we lose the last two and Seattle wins the last two, they will take the division on the strength of tiebreakers.

Now if the Rams stumble against either Philly or Seattle, they're in trouble.

 

[Jacobarch]

While most of you were rooting for a Philly victory last night, I was hoping Seattle would win. If you truly believe in this team, you don't want them slipping in the back door to the playoffs with help of others, you want them kicking the freaking door down!

Although I think McVay has been a bit pass-happy of late, I can see Goff airing it out 50 times on Sunday. Philly is tough vs the run and, to be honest, we haven't ran the ball that well (or that much) lately. McVay is good at taking advantage of the other team's weakness (much like Belichick) and I think he'll go after Philly's secondary with a handful of the usual screens to Gurley sprinkled in. You saw last night that Wentz can be gotten to and I think the Rams defensive line will get their share of hits on him. My only concern is our defense. Is our secondary and linebacking group good enough to slow Philly down? I think so.

The next week we head to Seattle for the showdown. We were literally inches away (on Gurley's freak fumble at the pylon and Kupp's near catch at the end) from beating this team with five turnovers and a full Legion of Boom. I can see a tight game with us coming out on top. We've played in tough places (Minnesota, Arizona) and are battle-tested. I think we'll be fine. If Minnesota can somehow trip up and lose to Carolina this week and Green Bay (with Rodgers) in a couple weeks, we could actually end up with the top seed. As I said earlier, believe!

First and foremost, win your division. Then win your conference. I don't know why people have this backwards.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Looking at it, if we win out, we can get that first round bye. That would be huge!

Yeah, admittedly I was rooting against Seattle. I just couldn't watch otherwise.

But... we DO control our fate in many ways with Seattle winning.

 

[HitStick]

Yeah, admittedly I was rooting against Seattle. I just couldn't watch otherwise.

But... we DO control our fate in many ways with Seattle winning.

Same. Living in Washington I was hoping the Eagles would demolish the Seagulls. I love talking shit to them haha. I’m okay with it though. Rams know what they have to do, and for once I feel like this is a team that can rise to the occasion

 

[fearsomefour]

McVay really needs to make some offensive adjustments. I realize how good a job he's done with this offense, btw, but that doesn't mean the dude is perfect.

First off there needs to be a little more balance in the run/pass vs this Eagles front. They're very good and that run game can help to keep things a little settled with keeping them honest.

Secondly I'd like to see more of the quick hitters and north/south runs between the tackles. As much as I love the power pulling and off tackle action those are slower developing and against quick fronts like the Eagles or Seahawks it can be tough to sustain. I'd welcome 3-5 yards up the middle against a D like that and take my chances with Jared getting favorable 3rd and longs vs risking the pitch motion with loss of yards. Granted with Gurley sometimes those end up being huge gains, but still I think they need to consider how much they do that vs this defense.

Third he needs to stop pi$$ing away downs by handing it off to Tavon down the middle. The interior runs with Tavon are very low chance of winning. The runs outside I'm fine with in small numbers, in particular the jet sweeps when they get the right look, and I'm also of the opinion that Tavon can run some bubble screen type actions and maybe get us a big play. But for those instances they want to spell Gurley and run it between the tackles, it is time to use Davis (assuming they don't get Brown back).

Lastly I really enjoyed the integration of Everett in the last game and hope it continues. He is very close to being a key weapon in this offense, need to continue the opportunities in the passing game and hope that he can start to give McVay that threat he's mostly lacked this season from the TE position. Still believe that is the "missing heat" from this offense, where they stand to gain the most improvement down the stretch of tough games and into the playoffs; we need another big target that can be depended on in this passing game and if Everett raises the bar with the opportunity the payoff will be profound IMO.

He is looking at matchups and D weaknesses.
Vs the Saints he kept passing all the way till the end. Why? Because their top two CBS were out. He could have run power against a very good front to try and burn clock but he chose to attack their weakness. It makes sense. As an aside, if he had run Gurley three times and had to punt everyone would be on his ass about being predictable. I get what he is doing. Running a safe pass that gets six yards on first down leaves you in a second a four and the clock is running. He wants a second and four versus and second and nine. Doesn't care how he gets it. The team was built to be able to attack either way. Was Gurley run enough vs Arizona? Probably not. He ended up with 158 yards from scrimmage because of two long screen passes. They were blitzing and attacking. McVay is a skilled play caller. He is attacking the defenses weaknesses. It isent always going to work. But then switching into "Marty ball" predictability vs a team like the Saints fails sometimes too.
Also, I think he trusts the OL to pass protect more than run block at this point. Or he is just geared to attack where he sees more opportunities for big plays. Philly will present another test. But, unless he sees something specific in the run D to attack, I would expect more of the same. Pass to set up the run.

 

[Merlin]

He is looking at matchups and D weaknesses.
Vs the Saints he kept passing all the way till the end. Why? Because their top two CBS were out. He could have run power against a very good front to try and burn clock but he chose to attack their weakness. It makes sense. As an aside, if he had run Gurley three times and had to punt everyone would be on his ass about being predictable. I get what he is doing. Running a safe pass that gets six yards on first down leaves you in a second a four and the clock is running. He wants a second and four versus and second and nine. Doesn't care how he gets it. The team was built to be able to attack either way. Was Gurley run enough vs Arizona? Probably not. He ended up with 158 yards from scrimmage because of two long screen passes. They were blitzing and attacking. McVay is a skilled play caller. He is attacking the defenses weaknesses. It isent always going to work. But then switching into "Marty ball" predictability vs a team like the Saints fails sometimes too.
Also, I think he trusts the OL to pass protect more than run block at this point. Or he is just geared to attack where he sees more opportunities for big plays. Philly will present another test. But, unless he sees something specific in the run D to attack, I would expect more of the same. Pass to set up the run.

I have no qualms with the way he called the game vs the Saints. Knew that was coming and Goff delivered.

The Arizona game and more importantly the defenses we'll see in the Eagles and Seahawks are what I'm referring to. I have the utmost respect for McVay, but I do think one of his weaknesses (and all play callers have them) is getting away from the run at times. And remember, the run blocking allows our OL to fire off on those defenders, which is very important as a mentality as well when you're in the trenches.

Oh and btw I'm sure McVay has already come to those conclusions. He's pretty damn good at the self analysis, which is one of the things that makes him so good.

 

[12intheBox]

The NFC is stacked this year - that first round bye would be huge. Let Seattle, Philly, New Orleans, Carolina or whover beat up on each other for a week while we get some rest.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Secondly I'd like to see more of the quick hitters and north/south runs between the tackles. As much as I love the power pulling and off tackle action those are slower developing and against quick fronts like the Eagles or Seahawks it can be tough to sustain. I'd welcome 3-5 yards up the middle against a D like that and take my chances with Jared getting favorable 3rd and longs vs risking the pitch motion with loss of yards. Granted with Gurley sometimes those end up being huge gains, but still I think they need to consider how much they do that vs this defense.

+1

 

[Karate61]

I was totally rooting for SEATTLE last week. Screw the division, let's win the whole damn thing again.

With the Eagles loss to the hags, Rams now have a shot at both the division and a #1 or #2 seed. Another poster showed a stat that 50% of the #1 and #2 seeds are the eventual Super Bowl winners.

Since the Hags beat the Eagles, a Rams win against the Eagles, then the Hags, sets them up for the playoffs.

So yeah, I'm happy the Hags beat the Eagles!!!

 

[Corbin]

While most of you were rooting for a Philly victory last night, I was hoping Seattle would win. If you truly believe in this team, you don't want them slipping in the back door to the playoffs with help of others, you want them kicking the freaking door down!

Although I think McVay has been a bit pass-happy of late, I can see Goff airing it out 50 times on Sunday. Philly is tough vs the run and, to be honest, we haven't ran the ball that well (or that much) lately. McVay is good at taking advantage of the other team's weakness (much like Belichick) and I think he'll go after Philly's secondary with a handful of the usual screens to Gurley sprinkled in. You saw last night that Wentz can be gotten to and I think the Rams defensive line will get their share of hits on him. My only concern is our defense. Is our secondary and linebacking group good enough to slow Philly down? I think so.

The next week we head to Seattle for the showdown. We were literally inches away (on Gurley's freak fumble at the pylon and Kupp's near catch at the end) from beating this team with five turnovers and a full Legion of Boom. I can see a tight game with us coming out on top. We've played in tough places (Minnesota, Arizona) and are battle-tested. I think we'll be fine. If Minnesota can somehow trip up and lose to Carolina this week and Green Bay (with Rodgers) in a couple weeks, we could actually end up with the top seed. As I said earlier, believe!

Nice bro! THis is what I been preaching and glad some others are finally starting to see it to! I'm so glad seattle won and it will make it that much more sweeter to go in stomp all their hearts and take EVERYTHING FROM THEM!
Like this mindset!

View: https://youtu.be/ZDm0nU-w33g?t=1m20s


All those band wagon ass 12's coming at them in Seattle! lol

Fuck it we are here, let's go for everything babay!

 

[Faceplant]

Well if number 2 is there for the taking, I hope the Rams take that #2 all over the iggles!!! :rimshot: