We ran the ball a lot, and need to run it more

[KayJay]

We ran it enough. Goff still threw it like 28 times. This isn't the Seahawks offense. There were two passes by Goff that should of been touchdowns; but Brandon Cooks failed to convert, and Higbee let a ball somehow slip right through his hands. Rams are balanced.

That's what makes our team so difficult to stop. Only one call was bad to me. McVay kept them honest.

 

[bubbaramfan]

What will this offense look like with Cooper Kupp in the mix?

 

[KayJay]

What will this offense look like with Cooper Kupp in the mix?

Lol back to flying high. But mostly balanced. Running attempts may come down a bit. The key is to not become one dimensional. Keep them guessing. Keep the blitzes off Goff.

But realistically speaking, I can guarantee you if Kupp was in that game? We probably throw about four more times. I have no problem with that.

 

[Ram65]

In the past I thought McVay went for the home run too often in close games when they were moving the ball with runs and shorter passes. In this game I was thinking run the ball on 2nd and short 2 yards near the 50 yard line. That's a good down and distance to throw the ball too. You never know. We've seen defenses blow up running plays for losses in that situation too. Overall it was a great game plan and well executed game. I think McVay showed he can adapt his play calling. Goff missed an open Woods.

 

[Varg6]

What I saw last night from how well we ran it reminds me of other excellent teams that inevitably won the Super Bowl. If we control the tempo and TOP like that, and finish more drives with TDs, I just don’t see anyone beating us. The only concern I have at this point is Marcus Peters...but I digress. We’re in the Championship boys!!!!!

 

[Merlin]

Get MAD ?? What would you have said I The Rams fail if 4th down on 2nd possession on there own 40 down 7-3 ??

Big Balls McVay & his trust with his own offense.

Just pointing out that we all focus a bit too much on the play calls, and btw that is myself included. During games at times I gotta remind myself of that.

If we had been stuffed on 4th down at the goal line for example by say a great play by one of Dallas' DL the boards would be all over stuff like "why did he waste a down with Goff running the fake" or "too predictable should have thrown it there" or whatever.

Had to laugh re: the Dallas faithful discussing their decision to run the ball on the 4th down we stuffed for example, calling it "predictable" when everyone knows it was them going with their strength. Cheers man.

 

[RhodyRams]

Did Withworth hold at all ? A cowboy fan was crying about that play.

think it was Havenstein that got singled out during the broadcast for holding on that play

 

[1maGoh]

McVay will become a supreme strategist when he becomes truly unpredictable--

If he shows the possibility of going to the run for a real roll, and the o-line can make it happen, we will be unstoppable because we will be truly unpredictable.

If you want him to be unpredictable, I don't think running it on second and 2 or third and 2 (especially if the run had been working) qualifies. It may have been effective, but running in short yardage when you've been successful with the run is super predictable.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I think the two weeks off really helped our offensive line to get their legs back under them.

That and CJ looked like he had something to prove last night.

What is the contract situation with CJ?
Didn't we get him on waivers?

 

[FarNorth]

If you want him to be unpredictable, I don't think running it on second and 2 or third and 2 (especially if the run had been working) qualifies. It may have been effective, but running in short yardage when you've been successful with the run is super predictable.

Not for McVay because he consistently defaults to the pass. But I'm talking about the big picture. McVay needs to show that he can do something unexpected for him-- really, really run the ball at certain times so that the D can't know that a pass is always just about to happen.

In fairness, the win over Dallas was about 85% of the best I was hoping for in this regard. It's enough to cause nightmares for defensive coordinators.

 

[1maGoh]

Not for McVay because he consistently defaults to the pass. But I'm talking about the big picture. McVay needs to show that he can do something unexpected for him-- really, really run the ball at certain times so that the D can't know that a pass is always just about to happen.

In fairness, the win over Dallas was about 85% of the best I was hoping for in this regard. It's enough to cause nightmares for defensive coordinators.

I think you aren't seeing the forest for the one particular branch on one particular tree. Big picture? He did show that he could run all freaking game and not get pass happy. On one particular series he called pass plays that didn't work.

 

[A55VA6]

The duo of Gurley and Anderson is extremely good and McVay knows it. I imagine we'll see more of the same next week.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Now we have something to give the defenses major problems. Best back in football and a bowling ball backup.
If we would have lost this game it was on McVays hands. Getting sick of seeing a 8 yard run on 1st down then two incomplete passes and punt. It happened in this game and could have cost us.
This is the playoffs, don't overthink yourself McVay. Run it again, twice if you need to and just get the first down. If the Rams just did it on that series the boys have no chance at the end. We get two more minutes of possession, probably points. Game over.
Especially the way our O line was blowing the boys d line back. We actually could have lost the game with over 250 yards rushing. That would have been on the coach.IMO. Can't help things like the "almost" int that would have sealed it. But getting "cute" in the playoffs is a choice by a very smart man. Make the right one.
Don't get me wrong, McVay is the best thing to happen to the Rams, maybe ever. Just don'y out think yourself. Its a simple game sometimes. If you are blowing them off the ball lean on the thing that gives you the best chance of success, run it on 2nd and short. Just get the damn first down.

Great post— even more so now that it’s confirmed we have to go to NO.

Rams just won a playoff game by grinding it out with their new two-headed monster attack.

Meanwhile, Saints just lost to injury their best defender against the run, DT Sheldon Rankins.

So how should Rams plan for this game?RUN THE BALL. I agree with the OP, McVay is perhaps the best thing EVER to happen to our Rams, but please—please!— don’t overthink things and get “cute” by passing too much.

 

[FarNorth]

Great post— even more so now that it’s confirmed we have to go to NO.

Rams just won a playoff game by grinding it out with their new two-headed monster attack.

Meanwhile, Saints just lost to injury their best defender against the run, DT Sheldon Rankins.

So how should Rams plan for this game?RUN THE BALL. I agree with the OP, McVay is perhaps the best thing EVER to happen to our Rams, but please—please!— don’t overthink things and get “cute” by passing too much.

And if we're having success running the ball, don't stop just because we're inside the 10 yard line or because it's second and 2.

 

[So Ram]

think it was Havenstein that got singled out during the broadcast for holding on that play

That was the other TD run

 

[So Ram]

Great post— even more so now that it’s confirmed we have to go to NO.

Rams just won a playoff game by grinding it out with their new two-headed monster attack.

Meanwhile, Saints just lost to injury their best defender against the run, DT Sheldon Rankins.

So how should Rams plan for this game?RUN THE BALL. I agree with the OP, McVay is perhaps the best thing EVER to happen to our Rams, but please—please!— don’t overthink things and get “cute” by passing too much.

CJ Anderson is impressive! Adds a whole different look to The Rams. Everyone did there thing as usual. The O”line gets to attack the D” & Goff had a little more time because of the extra dimension.

 

[gogoat1]

And if we're having success running the ball, don't stop just because we're inside the 10 yard line or because it's second and 2.

We see 2nd and two inside the 10 in the NFC Championship Game and we DON"T give CJ or Todd a crack at getting 1st and goal from say the 5 yard line, I won't be happy.
I am sick of seeing 3rd and two and the QB is automatically in the shotgun. Get under center, give the defense more to think about and RAM CJ down their throat. Make them defend the whole field. None of this "Jumbo" package bullshit with everyone lined up close and all bunched up. Spread people out, make more room for out much bigger O line vs their puny D line to simply do their thing. Get on the O lines back and ride it to the Super Bowl.
The O line is by far the most important unit on any football team. A great one makes average backs very good, average QBs good simply because of holes and time given.
How many "great" D lines have the Rams had the last 10-12 years. Most of them. Littered with high 1st round picks. What has it got us ?
We have a very good O line right now and need to spend draft capital keeping it very good. We have a young Goff and Gurly. Help them out.
What is the average weight of our O line 320 ? Their D line might be 260-270. Do what you have to do, smash mouth and take some shots. Beat their brains in, take their crowd out of it. Demoralize them, heads hung low, sad sad Saints makes my day.
Sorry Brees and Payton, ITS OUR TIME.

BTW, Belicheat went old school 1/2 dozen times this weekend. Went with the "I" formation. Line up the Bowling Ball 5/6 times at fullback, lead blocker and send that chump middle linebacker on a not so nice ride with Gurly running like a crazed man behind him. Give that asshole Payton even more to think about. Whatcha gunna do Sean ??

Hey, I love high flying offenses. But this is the "playoffs". We have a serious advantage in O line weight and running backs.
Use it.

 

[nighttrain]

CJ Anderson is impressive! Adds a whole different look to The Rams. Everyone did there thing as usual. The O”line gets to attack the D” & Goff had a little more time because of the extra dimension.

it is certainly a bummer, but we probably wont be able to retain CJ's services for next season, but on a promising note, we have Kelly, and at 205 lbs all he needs to do is gain about 25 lbs
train

 

[RamFan503]

In the past I thought McVay went for the home run too often in close games when they were moving the ball with runs and shorter passes. In this game I was thinking run the ball on 2nd and short 2 yards near the 50 yard line. That's a good down and distance to throw the ball too. You never know. We've seen defenses blow up running plays for losses in that situation too. Overall it was a great game plan and well executed game. I think McVay showed he can adapt his play calling. Goff missed an open Woods.

Not only that but didn't we have two 2nd and shorts when we gained 0 or 1 yard on a run call?

 

[Ram65]

Not only that but didn't we have two 2nd and shorts when we gained 0 or 1 yard on a run call?

Yes, IRRC in this game CJ lost a yard or so on 2nd and short.