Well, since the 2025 season has officially concluded for our Rams, may as well start this up

Most of you know how these all relate to each other. Hell, I'm probably forgetting some more with the way our luck has been. How in the hell do I keep seeing my teams hopes and dreams destroyed in the playoffs by disastrous special team play? I've got some serious PTSD with special teams. I want nothing to do with them... I sit there expecting the worst every time. I need it to stop because nothing pisses me off more than losing or giving up points because of dumbass special teams plays. Fuck, at this point just don't field a returner. I don't care, leave the backfield empty. Let the ball fall where it may. At least then the MVP gets to touch the ball.

Sorry, probably not worth a new thread but the irony of this shit is wearing me out. How many more of these will I endure before I die?

I personally feel the 2001 team that lost to the Patriots in SB XXXVI was better than our SB championship teams. If not for the proven filming of our practices and mugging of our WRs that went uncalled, we win that game going away.

So, if that team jumped in a time machine in 2002 and came to 2026 to play our current Rams, what would happen? The guys are bigger 25 years later, but with Faulk/Bruce/Holt and Warner, against THIS YEAR'S DEFENSE, I don't see them ever having to play a 3rd down nor settling for a field goal.

What about our current offense against THAT defense? Maybe 20 points?

Am I nuts?

Admittedly, I haven't had a lot of time to dig into the Draft yet, so don't expect this to be good. I am projecting that the Browns hire PGC Nate Scheelhaase to be their HC, which nets us a third round pick this year and next. Here's what I'm thinking right now:
Cut
CB Darious Williams

Love D-Will, but he's gotten too old and lost too many steps for how much he's slated to make.

Re-sign
S Kam Curl
CB Roger McCreary
LS Jake McQuaide
EDGE Nick Hampton
OL Justin Dedick (ERFA)
WR Xavier Smith (ERFA)
K Harrison Mevis (ERFA)

Curl is a solid player for us. I want him back. I like McCreary as depth due to his versatility and willingness to tackle.

Free Agency
Jaylen Watson CB Chiefs
Isaiah Likely TE Ravens
Nick Scott S Panthers
Christian Harris ILB Texans
Fred Johnson OT Eagles

Watson gives us the big outside CB we desperately need. At 6'2" 197 pounds, Watson is one of the league's best run defenders at the position and had a good year in coverage. Likely isn't a need, but I think he's undervalued and would be a great fit in our offense as a movable chess piece for McVay, especially with McVay's newfound love of TEs. He's surehanded (excepting his rookie year), gifted after the catch, and a good route runner. We bring back Nick Scott for his special teams prowess. I also added Christian Harris for special teams. We need some speed and hitting on that unit. Fred Johnson will serve as our swing OT.

Trade
Titans trade QB Will Levis
Rams trade Round 6 Pick #29

With the QB options in this Draft drying up, the Rams bring in Levis to replace Garoppolo as Staff's backup. With Levis's contract expiring after 2026, they want to see what he's made of.

NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #13 - Sonny Styles ILB Ohio State
Round 1 Pick #29 - K.C. Concepcion WR/RS Texas A&M
Round 2 Pick #29 - Malik Muhammad CB Texas
Round 3 Pick #29 - Kage Casey OT Boise State
Round 3 Pick #37 - Mikail Kamara EDGE Indiana
Round 5 Pick #4 - Ephesians Prysock CB Washington
Round 5 Pick #29 - Eric Gentry ILB USC
Round 6 Pick #26 - Albert Regis DT Texas A&M
Round 7 Pick #16 - Caullin Lacy WR/RS Louisville
Round 7 Pick #34 - Jager Burton IOL Kentucky
Round 7 Pick #40 - Xavier Nwankpa S Iowa

Analysis: Like I said, I haven't done much evaluating for the Draft to this point. I've watched these guys casually and thought they were impressive. Styles is a big, rangy ILB who excels in coverage and tackles well. We desperately need that guy next to Landman. I took him because I considered him the BPA here. Concepcion is a playmaker at WR and in the return game. He has inside-out versatility, great YAC skills, and the ability to be a high-level route runner. He also has the vertical speed to threaten defenses deep. I think he could develop into a great WR with Davante and Puka mentoring him. Muhammad is a big-time athlete at CB who has good size. His game needs some polishing, but he has legit cover skills. Casey seems like a solid OL who can offer depth across the unit. Kamara is short, but he was incredibly productive in college and excels at pressuring the QB. Prysock is a long CB with good athleticism and great intangibles. He can be a bit grabby. I see Gentry as a potential special teams ace. Long, athletic, and can tackle. Good zone coverage ILB too. Regis is a short, squatty NT. Think he can help with run defense. Lacy is a gifted returner and a productive slot WR. Burton is a solid, experienced IOL. And I see Nwankpa as a special teams player.

Starters
QB: Matthew Stafford
HB: Kyren Williams
WR: Puka Nacua
WR: Davante Adams
TE: Terrance Ferguson
TE: Isaiah Likely
LT: Alaric Jackson
LG: Steve Avila
C: Coleman Shelton
RG: Kevin Dotson
RT: Warren McClendon

EDGE: Byron Young
DE: Braden Fiske
NT: Poona Ford
DE: Kobie Turner
EDGE: Jared Verse
ILB: Nate Landman
ILB: Sonny Styles
CB: Jaylen Watson
CB: Emmanuel Forbes
SLCB: Quentin Lake
FS: Kamren Kinchens
SS: Kamren Curl

K: Harrison Mevis
P: Ethan Evans
LS: Jake McQuaide
RS: KC Concepcion

are with ok with what we endid up with?

go rams

slo

Obviously we all wish a different outcome, but I found myself not feeling the loss as I did when we lost to them last time. You could see that the Rams derailed after that game.

I am most bummed that Stafford's crazy, possibly MVP season was wasted, and I agree with most of the fan's observations that the defense and special teams cost us a lot of games.

Overall great season and I will REALLY be looking forward to seeing what the Rams do in the draft and offseason to beef up this team.

Was fun while it lasted I guess. Feels like a giant waste of time. Whatever man.

January 25, 2026 (Conference Championships)

6:30 PM ET
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (FOX)

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook

January 25, 2026 (Conference Championships)

3:00 PM ET
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (CBS)

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook

Alright, we had some entertaining responses to the "stress" thread, so I'll give a "superstitions" thread a shot.

My good friend Andy bought a yellow Rams hat when we went to the Colts game this year. Andy had a terrible all-time 0-4 record (!!) watching Rams games in-person, but the Yellow Hat turned the tide. In addition, every single game he has watched this year on TV while wearing the Yellow Hat, the Rams have won. Needless to say, I am insisting that he wear the Yellow Hat on Sunday.

My wife tends to watch parts of games, and during the Bears game, she took a break during OT, when the Bears were driving. When the Bears hit midfield, and everything looked lost, I insisted that she come back in to watch and give moral support. She came in right before Curl's amazing interception. She had been working on a furniture -refinishing project, and was wearing yellow gloves. So now she's keeping the yellow gloves close by on Sunday, just in case we need a big play.

As for me, I've got a lucky Rams T-shirt that has been 2-0 in our two playoff games this year. So I''ll be wearing it tomorrow.

By the way: I'm a total skeptic and don't believe in any of this stuff. Except when it comes to the Rams. I just gotta believe in something to take the edge off.

Anyway-- what are the ways that YOU send "good mojo" out into the Universe to help our Rams win?

An interesting video from the Athletic. Discusses the transformation of McVay's offense over the last 9 years.
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A trip to your third SB would be an amazing gift to yourself and Rams fans everywhere! I happen to share the same birthday so a win tomorrow is my dream wish! Let’s Git-R-Done!

Might as well get this party rolling for 2026. Start off with a real dumbass move taking a firearm to an airport.

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The Rams’ intent on keeping young OT​

The prevailing belief outside league circles is that offensive tackle is a position of need for the Los Angeles Rams, who battle the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in the NFC title game. It’s a narrative I bought into, as I had the team selecting Max Iheanachor in the second round of my recent two-round mock draft.

Yet sources tell me this is untrue and the team is happy with both offensive tackles, including right side blocker Warren McClendon Jr., their fifth-round pick from the 2023 draft. In fact, I’m told the Rams will look to extend McClendon, who will be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, during the offseason. Locking him up in the future is expected to cost the Rams around $20 million annually.

McClendon was a terrific tackle in college for the Georgia Bulldogs, though questions about his size and ability to hold up at right tackle were red flags. After playing just five games as a rookie, then starting five the following season, McClendon started 10 games this year.

The team’s left tackle, 2021 undrafted free agent Alaric Jackson, signed a three-year, $57 million contract with the franchise prior to the start of this season.

If anyone has Amazon Prime I suggest checking this out. Pretty good Muay Thai Kickboxing action. First time watching it and it is pretty damn good. On now still got some pre-lim fights til Co Main and Main Event

Damn!!!
Hard to say how true this is - but, it seems fairly accurate. And mind blowing!

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Generally speaking, I have really enjoyed this Rams season, but these last two playoff games have taken a toll on me.

Excruciating to watch the do-or-die games that are so close.

When Caleb made that miracle throw, I just screamed "NO!!" and walked out of the room.

Then, gob-smacked with surprised joy when Curl made the INT to save our season.

Props to @IowaRam with his comment : "God I hate football." After the game, I said to my wife, "Now we gotta do this again next week."

So... tell us your stories about how y'all deal with the stress. Shouting? Pacing? Swearing? Drinking? Frighten innocent bystanders?

I love our Rams, but the emotional investment.... sheesh!!

It's the hawks and I feel like I just have to make the Seattle dog.

But this is for the big one!

Does anyone have a lucky meal?

What are you making to send us to the big one!?

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Does anybody else yearn for having somebody like Ron Brown or Tony Horne fielding kick offs?

I still remember Brown returning those kickoffs for touchdowns against Green Bay in the late 80s.

And that Tony Horne's return to start the second half against the Vikings in the playoff in the '99 season had me going mental in the ESPN Zone in New York City.

With the new rules, would players like that flourish as much in today's game, or would they be more likely to be nullified?

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“Hey dad, Have you ever heard of a guy named John Schneider? Works for the Seahawks”, My daughter asked, a week or so before parents weekend up at Boise State. In October, 2022. My wife and I had really been looking forward to going and experiencing all the hype surrounding the annual College ritual. The parade, the football game, the downtown fun, but mostly getting to see our girl for a few days!

“Yeah, he’s their G.M., pretty well known for being good at drafting and bringing in players. Why?” I asked.

“His son Jack goes here. I met him at one of the parties. He’s in the same Fraternity as some of my friends” She said.

“Really?! Wow, that’s kinda cool on one hand. Nauseating on the other. Did you tell him you’re a Rams fan?” My smirk, resembling the Cheshire Cat, conveyed I was half kidding, but totally serious.

“Dad!….no. I didn’t talk to him much. He’s too short.” (That’s my girl! What she really meant was “Dad I could smell the Seachicken stench from across the room. I would’nt touch that dude for anything”)

So John Schneider’s kid goes to Boise, hmm. Makes sense I guess, Just a few hours drive from Seattle. I thought nothing much of it after that.

That weekend we went to our first Boise Game on the Blue. Boise had a great game, and beat Fresno State. A tall lanky Freshman quarterback stepped in for the starter that day, and made some pretty dynamic plays with his arm, and his long stride. Taylen Green reminded me of Randall Cunningham the way he played. The kid is pretty exciting, I thought.

Another Freshman had his coming out party that night. True Freshman Ashton Jeanty earned the backup running back spot, and went off that night, rushing for 109 yards and two scores. He would soon overshadow the starter, George Holani, who had 157 yards rushing and touchdown himself, via receiving. The game was a lot of fun, and I found myself wondering if any of the players on the field that night would wind up playing for the Rams.







Well, scouting that night on a more serious level, no doubt, was a fellow parent, John Schneider, and after the following season in 2024, George Holani went undrafted, Schneider and his Seahawks signed Holani to a priority UDFA contract.

(“I knew it,” I remember thinking. Holani is pretty good. Dang I wish the Rams got him. He’s a pretty tough little runner and would have been a good backup to Kyren)

I’m so glad the Rams drafted Blake Corum now, of course. So much better than Holani, I believe.

So now I see, with Zack Charbonnet out for the playoffs, here comes George Holani to step in to spell Kenneth Walker in the Champioship game. And no doubt, in large part because of a parents weekend performance.

Well. The Rams defense, I am confident, will be able to step up and limit Walker, Holani, and whoever the Chickens throw at them. Charbonnet won’t be there to pickup any accidental 2-point conversions, and the Rams will be headed to the Super Bowl.

Looks like this one's gonna hit a lot of folks. Bout time we got some snow round here, it's been like spring for the most part this winter. Went to the local Walmart tonight to stock up on some stuff in case we get snowed in, and also to make Stan Kroenke's wife wealthier to feed future Rams domination, and it was a goddamn madhouse.

Post your 3 keys (one rule - don't use turnovers as one of the keys because... too obvious)

My Keys;

1. 3rd down efficiency on offense - we are 8-29 (27.8%) so far in the playoffs. Seattle's defense is good - we will have plenty of 3rd downs and need to do better.
2. The return game. We can't let ourselves get dominated in return yardage or free field position because we are afraid to kick it to Shaheed.
3. Make Darnold beat us. No free extra yards in the run game on early downs - swarm to the ball and no "moving the pile" forward for Seattle.

In the last 6 years, the Rams have faced a division rival 3 times. McVay is 3-0 in those matchups. This will be the 4th. Adjustments must be made. Tendencies altered. And it wouldn't hurt, if a little luck shone through. This time it will be with a third different DC. And it seems at first glance, that the difference in those previous game 3's was defense and special teams.

Against Seattle in 2020, the offense didn't exactly light it up. The defensive play was excellent. 5 sacks (but they also had 5 sacks in each of the previous 2 games). There was that play by D Will, after Metcalf was going off on the sidelines having just one target and no receptions through 23 minutes of the first half, he jumped a WR screen and took it to the house. Our first TD of the game and extending our lead from 3 to 10. Then midway through the 4th quarter, leading by 10 we punted and DJ Reed returned it 8 yards before fumbling the ball at the 36. Our offense took advantage and 4 plays later it was 30-13 with less than 5 minutes remaining.

Against Arizona in 2021, the offense scored 2 TDs in the first half but the story was the Ram's defense. They limited the Cardinals to minus 1 yard over their first 5 possessions and took an ill-advised throw by Murray in for a pick 6. After a Rams TD on the first drive of the second half made it 28-0, Arizona scored 10 points on their next two possessions but the Rams offense countered with 2 FGs of their own and it was all she wrote. Sweet revenge on a team that dominated the Rams in week 4 for their first loss of the season, racking up 465 yards and 37 points. The second game, a 30-20 Rams win, saw Arizona gain 447 yards. But that wild card game was a defensive gem. IMO, Kyler Murray was never right after that embarrassing loss. He missed 3 games over his first three seasons having put up 17 games (of 46) with a 100.0 or better QB rating but missed 26 games over the next 4 while compiling 11 games (of 41) with a 100 or better rating. Now it's assumed he's done in the desert.

Against San Francisco in 2021, after giving up 784 yards, 58 points in the first two meetings, including blowing a 17-3 lead in the second game, we overcame a 17-7 deficit to win 20-17 and go to the Superbowl. With the game tied at 7, we missed a long FG giving them the ball at their 44, which they promptly turned into a 10-7 lead. Then in the 3rd, after turning the ball over on downs at the SF 42, they went 58 yards to go up 17-7. But the defense stiffened. They allowed a total of 38 yards over the next 3 SF possessions, while the Rams scored 13 points on a 60 yard TD drive and two FG drives (48 and 49 yards each). And then AD did what AD always did....make a play at the end.

So, that's why I put this game on Shula, his D and the STs. Sure, Stafford hasn't had that signature 4 TD game in these playoffs and we'll need a good showing from our offense, but we're going to need a stellar effort from that D and a solid game from our STs. Here's hoping McVay makes some solid adjustments to put up points from the jump.

offense​

• RG Kevin Dotson: 91.3
• LT Alaric Jackson: 71.9
• RB Kyren Williams: 70.5
• WR Puka Nacua: 69.6
• TE Colby Parkinson: 69.6
• WR Davante Adams: 63.2
• RT Warren McClendon Jr.: 62.3
• TE Terrance Ferguson: 59.9
• RB Blake Corum: 57.9
• WR Konata Mumpfield: 55.3
• QB Matthew Stafford: 42.2

defense​

• S Kamren Curl: 91.7
• S Kamren Kinchens: 90.4
• LB Omar Speights: 90.1
• OLB Desjuan Johnson: 77.9
• DL Tyler Davis: 77.2
• CB Cobie Durant: 73.4
• CB Roger McCreary: 69.6
• DL Ty Hamilton: 59.6
• DT Kobie Turner: 52.3
• DB Quentin Lake: 51.0
• LB Nate Landman: 47.5
• OLB Jared Verse: 33.2

Landman and Verse were the biggest culprits when it came to missed tackles. Landman missed four and Verse missed six, combining for 10 of the team's 20 whiffs.