What makes the Buc game so vital to this season

[leoram]

After the 9'er debacle, while most of us jumped off the ledge...I posted a "lone wolf" article predicting a bounce back against the Hawks. I didn't see any others that had similar posts.

Now I see celebration posts, posts about improving players, and recognition of the offensive limitations.

To me, this next game will indicate if this team will have a winning record this year. Fisher's history with this team has several key elements:

1. We do well in the NFC West but struggle against Non Conference opponents. The coaching staff purposely focuses energy and preparation within the division.

2. We do better at home than on the road.

3. We regularly lay eggs against supposedly inferior teams.

4. Stringing wins together is rare.

5. This offense is a looooonnnnggg way from being effective.

This game has the feel of last year's Redskins game. We should win. Last year we had beaten both the Hawks and Cards. The missing elements of preparation, passion against unfamiliar opponents, and consistency in previous years doomed this team to 7-9 BS. The Bucs are coming off a tough loss vs AZ. Chronicling Fisher's Ram history, this is where the real let down begins.

If we ground Tampa into the turf, look for a winning season. If not....I will try to enjoy watching this team train for next year.

 

[RamsJunkie]

Another thing I read somewhere is Fisher has lost every game 3 as the rams head coach. not that that means anything but I'm worried about this one.

 

[PA Ram]

I looked over some history the last few years and I don't want to get carried away here but it does at least "feel" like a pattern:

This is EXACTLY the kind of game that Fisher lays an egg.

Until he proves otherwise–I gotta be concerned.

I give you 2015:

Sept 13th: Rams beat the Seahawks 34-31

Next week at Washington: Rams lose to Redskins 24-10

Dec. 16th: Rams beat Seahawks 23-17

Next week at San Francisco: Rams lose to the 49ers 19-16

2014:

Oct. 19th: Rams beat Seahawks 28-26

Next week at Kansas City: Rams lose to the Chiefs 34-7

Okay–that year they lost to Seahawks in final game so let’s take another great team they beat:

Nov. 16th: Beat the Denver Broncos 22-7

Next week at San Diego: Rams lose 27-24

2013 was a year they did not beat a lot of great teams with a following road game. But let’s look at the Cards who were 10-6.

Sept. 8: Rams beat the Cards 27-24

Next game at Falcons: Rams lose 31-24(Falcons were 4-12 that year)

Nov. 24th: Rams smash Bears 42-21

Next week at 49ers: Rams lose 23-13 ( To be fair–9ers were 12-4 this year)

To me–this reads as a pattern: Good game–even a win, against a good opponent followed by road loss next week.

 

[jap]

Someone else posted on another thread that Fisher's Horns are 4-0 against the Bucs, so clearly something has to give.

 

[FrantikRam]

I would agree that this game will ultimately define our season. At Arizona is a tough task and not one we can be expected to win. Games against the Lions and Giants also look tougher than originally thought. With so many non-home games before the bye, getting a road win is imperative.

 

[Jacobarch]

Def a pattern. I think its laziness of the players. Or being overconfident after a win. Hopefully they have another players only meeting until they feel they have corrected this problem.

 

[JerseyRam1]

It would be the second time this late in the season (ha) the Rams under Fisher would have a winning record in 5 years. Thats enough of a reason for it to be a must win.

 

[Leuzer]

Even though Tampa Bay went 6-10 last year, I believe they have the talent on their roster to potentially make it into the last Wild Card spot.
So let's say the Rams lose to the Bucs this Sunday and during the last weeks of the regular season we find ourselves in a race for that last spot. If Tampa Bay and Los Angeles have the same record, would the Bucs get it first because they beat us?

 

[Legatron4]

I looked over some history the last few years and I don't want to get carried away here but it does at least "feel" like a pattern:

This is EXACTLY the kind of game that Fisher lays an egg.

Until he proves otherwise–I gotta be concerned.

I give you 2015:

Sept 13th: Rams beat the Seahawks 34-31

Next week at Washington: Rams lose to Redskins 24-10

Dec. 16th: Rams beat Seahawks 23-17

Next week at San Francisco: Rams lose to the 49ers 19-16

2014:

Oct. 19th: Rams beat Seahawks 28-26

Next week at Kansas City: Rams lose to the Chiefs 34-7

Okay–that year they lost to Seahawks in final game so let’s take another great team they beat:

Nov. 16th: Beat the Denver Broncos 22-7

Next week at San Diego: Rams lose 27-24

2013 was a year they did not beat a lot of great teams with a following road game. But let’s look at the Cards who were 10-6.

Sept. 8: Rams beat the Cards 27-24

Next game at Falcons: Rams lose 31-24(Falcons were 4-12 that year)

Nov. 24th: Rams smash Bears 42-21

Next week at 49ers: Rams lose 23-13 ( To be fair–9ers were 12-4 this year)

To me–this reads as a pattern: Good game–even a win, against a good opponent followed by road loss next week.

I agree to some extent. There's also games that we beat the shit out of the other team and did the same thing again the next week.

2012 we beat the Cardinals 31-17 and came back the week after and beat the 49ers 16-13 the week after that.

2013 we did it a few times and you counted out the game against the Colts before we beat the Bears 42-21. That same year we beat the Jaguars 34-20 and then shit on the Texans 38-13 the next week.

2014 we shut out the Raiders 52-0 and following week we shut out the Redskins 24-0.

2015 we defeated Cleveland 24-6 and crushed the whiners 27-6 after that.

I understand what your saying though cause it does seem to always happen after we beat the Seahawks.

 

[Rambo]

I think this game may determine whether Goff starts in week 5 or not. If Keenum plays well and they win then that may be good enough to excuse a loss to the Cardinals the next week and Keenum will continue to start. If he doesn't play well and they lose two in a row then I think Goff may start against Buffalo at home in week 5.

 

[Zaphod]

It really does seem that they get every fiber of their being up for a Seahawks game in an unsustainable effort and then flop immediately afterwards.

 

[Roman Snow]

How about if we say the Rams kill the Bucs 34-13. Todd breaks one for 55yds and a TD. Tavon takes one to the house, and Gurley busts another one late from 3 yards, in ball control time. The defense participates late with a Tru pick 6 of Jameis, as he desperately tries to bring them back.

Yes, let's say that. We have no control anyway. Feels better this way...

 

[Boston Ram]

I dont think this game defines anything. I like to break the year up in 4 4ths. The first 4 games are like extended preseason. Then you make adjustments heading into 2nd quarter. After 2nd quarter you have a good feel of who you are.

I still think we are in the feeling out stages, heck we havent even scored a TD yet. Even if we lose what if TB is 6-2 after 8 games.....will this game look like a bad loss?

For this game, I just want to see the same intensity on defense. I want to see the offense push the ball downfield, get the 8 men out of the box so we have a chance to win. I want to see the penalties come down. I want improvement from the player and a game plan from the coaches.

 

[Corbin]

After the 9'er debacle, while most of us jumped off the ledge...I posted a "lone wolf" article predicting a bounce back against the Hawks. I didn't see any others that had similar posts.

Now I see celebration posts, posts about improving players, and recognition of the offensive limitations.

To me, this next game will indicate if this team will have a winning record this year. Fisher's history with this team has several key elements:

1. We do well in the NFC West but struggle against Non Conference opponents. The coaching staff purposely focuses energy and preparation within the division.

2. We do better at home than on the road.

3. We regularly lay eggs against supposedly inferior teams.

4. Stringing wins together is rare.

5. This offense is a looooonnnnggg way from being effective.

This game has the feel of last year's Redskins game. We should win. Last year we had beaten both the Hawks and Cards. The missing elements of preparation, passion against unfamiliar opponents, and consistency in previous years doomed this team to 7-9 BS. The Bucs are coming off a tough loss vs AZ. Chronicling Fisher's Ram history, this is where the real let down begins.

If we ground Tampa into the turf, look for a winning season. If not....I will try to enjoy watching this team train for next year.

Damn good post man!

This game is vital to either us coinciding to that 7-9 bullshit we been the last few years or actually popping our bubble and ranging out of it this year. Interested to see what happens!

 

[LARams_1963]

I'd say if we lay another Offensive egg it will be Goff time for game 5 (don't know if I'd want to bust his cherry against the gridbirds in week 4)

 

[PA Ram]

I agree to some extent. There's also games that we beat the crap out of the other team and did the same thing again the next week.

2012 we beat the Cardinals 31-17 and came back the week after and beat the 49ers 16-13 the week after that.

2013 we did it a few times and you counted out the game against the Colts before we beat the Bears 42-21. That same year we beat the Jaguars 34-20 and then crap on the Texans 38-13 the next week.

2014 we shut out the Raiders 52-0 and following week we shut out the Redskins 24-0.

2015 we defeated Cleveland 24-6 and crushed the whiners 27-6 after that.

I understand what your saying though cause it does seem to always happen after we beat the Seahawks.

I'm talking more about home games mostly, against good teams, followed by road games against lesser teams. The second Seahawks victory of 2015 wouldn't technically count since it was a road game. Raiders and Redskins were terrible teams in 2014. 9ers and Browns were terrible teams in 2015. The Colts game was a road game followed by a home game.

This specific example--this week--a good team(Seahawks) followed by road game is more what I was looking at. And that has not gone well for Jeff Fisher. But again--my Seahawks example in the second game last year wouldn't count for that. That was a road game.

But you can't have such a high and follow it up with a low the following week on the road. They HAVE to win these games to string victories if they are going to break out of 7-9 hell.

 

[Warner4Prez]

I dont think this game defines anything. I like to break the year up in 4 4ths. The first 4 games are like extended preseason. Then you make adjustments heading into 2nd quarter. After 2nd quarter you have a good feel of who you are.

I still think we are in the feeling out stages, heck we havent even scored a TD yet. Even if we lose what if TB is 6-2 after 8 games.....will this game look like a bad loss?

For this game, I just want to see the same intensity on defense. I want to see the offense push the ball downfield, get the 8 men out of the box so we have a chance to win. I want to see the penalties come down. I want improvement from the player and a game plan from the coaches.

Found Jeff Fisher's account!

But honestly, there couldn't be a worse way to approach the season. Week 1 was against a beatable division opponent. But (I do agree with you here) it seems this team was still getting it's feet under it and dropped the ball in a major way. The first 4 games count. Especially in setting a tone for how the rest of the season plays out.

 

[Boston Ram]

Found Jeff Fisher's account!

But honestly, there couldn't be a worse way to approach the season. Week 1 was against a beatable division opponent. But (I do agree with you here) it seems this team was still getting it's feet under it and dropped the ball in a major way. The first 4 games count. Especially in setting a tone for how the rest of the season plays out.

I would argue that defining your season after one game is a worse way. Its how Belicheck manages his seasons over the last 15 years. If we lose to TB, then what? You have already defined this as a must win (based on the OP).

Fact is there is not a game on the schedule that is an easy win or unwinnable game in my opinion. First 2 weeks kind of prove that.

Dont get me wrong, Im not thrilled with what I have seen the first 2 weeks. We should be using these games to get creative on offense and push the ball downfield. This running into 8 guys is unexceptable and 4 yard routes is silly.

I dont need a TB game to tell you if this game plan on offense continues we will have a losing record. I can tell with my eyes. So in one regard I do agree with you, if they come out throwing some deep balls then maybe we might start to draw some penalties and open some room for Gurley and then we might be able to score enough points to compliment the defense and win some games.

 

[Mikey Ram]

I worry about a QB who can throw it downfield..."CRAB LEGS" can do that and the secondary is the weakest link...Pass rush with containment is the key for me...I NEVER want to again see the Rams get abused up the middle of the field the way they did in SF...No excuse for that...Of course the thoughts about pushing the ball up the field are always valid...Somehow they need to get Gurley into the game...

 

[DaveFan'51]

After the 9'er debacle, while most of us jumped off the ledge...I posted a "lone wolf" article predicting a bounce back against the Hawks. I didn't see any others that had similar posts.

Now I see celebration posts, posts about improving players, and recognition of the offensive limitations.

To me, this next game will indicate if this team will have a winning record this year. Fisher's history with this team has several key elements:

1. We do well in the NFC West but struggle against Non Conference opponents. The coaching staff purposely focuses energy and preparation within the division.

2. We do better at home than on the road.

3. We regularly lay eggs against supposedly inferior teams.

4. Stringing wins together is rare.

5. This offense is a looooonnnnggg way from being effective.

This game has the feel of last year's Redskins game. We should win. Last year we had beaten both the Hawks and Cards. The missing elements of preparation, passion against unfamiliar opponents, and consistency in previous years doomed this team to 7-9 BS. The Bucs are coming off a tough loss vs AZ. Chronicling Fisher's Ram history, this is where the real let down begins.

If we ground Tampa into the turf, look for a winning season. If not....I will try to enjoy watching this team train for next year.

6. The Rams have Owned the Buc's recently!

7. The Buc's have a Big habbit of turning the Ball over so far this Season!

8. The NFC West is all Tied-Up, and Next week we go to Arizona!

We Need to Win and Win Big! We Will!!:mrburnsevil: