Downtown Rams Wild Card Weekend Roundtable

It's Wild Card weekend and so our team here decided to give you our predictions this week of each game.


Meet our Panel:


Jake Ellenbogen (@JKBogenDTR)


Blaine Grisak (@bxgrisakNFL)


Alex Kelly (@Nation_Rams)


Gary Weed (@ksudodger)


James Lamar (@Lamar_Football)


Nicolas Galarreta (@Rams24_7)


Joseph Isola (@JISO57)


Mark Lujan (@MLujan520)


#5 Tennessee Titans vs. #4 Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday @ 4:20PM EST

The Titans were able to sneak into the playoffs last week with a 15-10 win over the rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, they have the tough task of playing what was at one point the hottest team in the league.


Jake: Titans 24, Chiefs 20


When you look at the loss of Eric Berry from the beginning of the year, that has clearly hurt the Chiefs. Still a great offense but the Titans have a solid defense. I expect Derrick Henry (who is better than Murray anyway) to pound the rock and All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to force a turnover or two to take this one to the next round.


Blaine: Chiefs 27, Titans 20


The Chiefs aren’t the team they were earlier in the season, but they have been better and are running the ball like they did earlier in the season. Marcus Mariota is not a quarterback that is going to take advantage of the depleted secondary.


Alex: Chiefs 27, Titans 17


Alex Smith and Kareem Hunt have brought the Chiefs back to life after a mid-season skid. DeMarco Murray is out and Marcus Mariota hasn’t played great all year. That’ll be the difference in this one


Gary: Chiefs 31, Titans 17


No DeMarco Murray is a killer for the Titans. Alex Smith will make plays when needed and the defense will bend not break.


James: Chiefs 24, Titans 20


The Chiefs have had an explosive offensive attack at times this season. When Alex Smith pushes the ball downfield, they are a tough group to stop. Kareem Hunt will have tough time finding space against a stout Titans run defense lead by Jurrell Casey, but the passing defense will allow Hunt a lot of space in the flat and on screens. Ultimately, this game will come down to turnovers, and the Titans are the only team in the playoffs with a negative turnover differential.


Nick: Chiefs 31, Titans 14


The Titans benefitted from playing a weak schedule & in a weak division. They don’t belong and will get blown out by the Chiefs behind Kareem Hunt


Joseph: Chiefs 27, Titans 17



The Titans made the playoffs after a fairly unimpressive season. Mariota turned the ball over a decent amount and the running game struggled even with a solid offensive line and two notable running backs. The Chiefs, with experienced coach Andy Reid, are hitting their stride after a lack luster middle of the season. The Chiefs have a better defense and a very explosive offense behind Hill, Hunt, and Kelce. The Chiefs should prevent the Titans from scoring enough points to make this a tight match up. While I expect a good game, I also think Kansas City will return to New England after blowing them out to start the season.


Mark: Chiefs 31, Titans 24


Mariota puts the Titans on his back but comes up short, against an up and down Chiefs teams who find their groove and comes alive on offense. Kareem Hunt finds the end zone twice and Alex Smith leads a 2 minute drill to close the game out.


VERDICT: 7-1 Chiefs


#6 Atlanta Falcons vs. #3 Los Angeles Rams on Saturday @ 8:15PM EST

The Rams meet the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons in their first postseason game since 2004...which was against the Falcons.


Jake: Rams 30, Falcons 20


The most exciting game of the week is going to offer a good matchup. In the end I think when you look at how many weapons the Rams have, how well their playing and how lost the Falcons look without Kyle Shanahan you wonder if this could be a blowout. I don't think so, the Falcons did win last season 42-14 in this building. It will be close but Todd Gurley will close the door.


Blaine: Rams 31, Falcons 20


The Falcons are the defending NFC champions and have the experience. However, Rams have scored 25+ per game in their last five games that their starters played while the Falcons have scored under 25 per game in their last five games. Rams get their rematch with Minnesota.


Alex: Rams 31, Falcons 17


The Rams are rested and are ready to go to their first playoff game since 2004. The Falcons struggle forcing turnovers and the Rams have a good record when they win the turnover battle. The Falcons also have a banged up line, and I expect Aaron Donald to have a field day.


Gary: Rams 24, Falcons 10


I think this game will come down to which defense makes more plays and with the 2 best linemen for the Falcons not playing, it sets up very well for AD, Quinn, Brockers and crew to get to Matty Ice early and often.


James: Rams 34, Falcons 24


The Falcons have been so inconsistent this season, that it is difficult to predict which team the Rams will play. I will stick to what we can be sure of. The Falcons run a defense like what is run in Seattle and we know that Sean McVay can scheme the Rams in ways to attack that type of defense. Julio Jones is a beast, and paired with a receiving threat out of the backfield like Devonte Freeman, the Rams will have all they can handle on defense. When it comes down to it, the Falcons don’t have the offensive firepower, as they did last season, to keep with the Rams attack.


Nick: Rams 28, Falcons 17


The Rams continue their winning formula behind strong days from Gurley and Woods. The Rams pass rush gets Ryan off his game and minimizes Julio’s opportunities. The game doesn’t come down to Ficken as the Rams win by two scores


Joseph: Rams 28, Falcons 14


The Rams should be able to win their first playoff game in over a decade. The last time the Rams played in the playoffs it was a loss in Atlanta. This time should swing in the Rams favor. The Falcons will not be able to stop the rushing attack of LA. Atlanta relies on a strong pass rush from their young defense, but McVay will be prepared. Quick throws with short drop backs; play action, and screens should all be used to prevent Atlanta’s pass rush. The Rams will have to make sure to pay attention to Julio Jones, who can go off for multiple touchdowns and 100+ yards in any given game.


Mark: Rams 38, Falcons 10


A game that I’m too emotionally invested into but here we go….The national media seems to think the Rams don’t have the playoff experience to match up with Atlanta, this is where I tell you they have it all wrong. Forget records, forget age and forget about the fact that the Rams haven’t been to the playoffs in 14 years. The Los Angeles Rams come out and dominate the Falcons in all 3 phases making them look very much like a team that has the dreaded Super Bowl hangover. LA stuns Atlanta much like they did Seattle in week 15.


VERDICT: 8-0 Rams


#6 Buffalo Bills vs. #3 Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday @ 1:05PM EST

The Bills made it by the skin of their teeth, but regardless, they ended a 17-year playoff draught. No one can take that away. However, the Jaguars or rather Sacksonville plans on taking away the opportunity to play the Patriots in the AFC divisional round with their historic defense.


Jake: Bills 21, Jaguars 12


This one seems like a nightmare matchup for the Bills. However, I have my money on them. It's a crazy year, the Jaguars haven't looked great as of late and Tyrod Taylor does a great job of not turning the ball over. If the Jags can't force Tyrod to turn the ball over the Bills will control this game.


Blaine: Jaguars 27, Bills 9


Bills have the feeling of a Cinderella team, but Jacksonville just overmatches them. A hurt LeSean McCoy doesn’t help.


Alex: Jaguars 24, Bills 9


These are two teams that haven’t played in a playoff game in a long time. The Jags have lost two straight, but that will end here. Andy Dalton can’t save the day this time.


Gary: Jaguars 27, Bills 14


Same problem as Titans for the Bills. Shady McCoy is not 100% which costs the Bills. But if Evil Bortles shows up, he might let the Bills hang around. In the end, Bortles gets it done with rushing and defense


James: Bills 20, Jaguars 17


The Bills Super Bowl was making the playoffs, but I’m not sure they’re done. The Jaguars have lost two games in a row to inferior competition, and now I think they make it a third. With the game on the line Blake Bortles hardly seems like the player that can lead his team to victory, and will likely continue to make costly turnovers. The Jags defense is loaded, but have been exposed at times this season against good offensive lines. Talent wise, the Jaguars are far superior to the lowly Bills, but the Bills are riding an emotional high that I believe will take them to Foxborough.


Nick: Jaguars 17, Bills 13


The Jags win a nail biter by one possession, thanks to the Sacksonville defense sealing it in the end. The Jags offense can’t muster much, but the defense adds a score and holds Shady McCoy & the Bills in check all day


Joseph: Jaguars 24, Bills 7


Congratulations to Buffalo for ending their extremely long playoff draught! However, I can’t see it going much further than the first round. Their only chance of winning is if Blake Bortles throws multiple interceptions and McCoy goes for two or more touchdowns. Jacksonville’s defense is elite and a serious threat to shut out this Buffalo offense, which is fairly average. The Jaguars should easily win this and get ready for a rematch in Pittsburgh.


Mark: Jaguars 23, Bills 10


In a game where Lesean McCoy isn’t gonna be 100 percent healthy, the Jags defense should be able to contain the Bills offense with ease. Bortles will struggle but Jacksonville will do enough in the run game to win, Fournette is just too much for Buffalo to handle. Sorry Bills fans.


VERDICT: 6-2 Jaguars


#5 Carolina Panthers vs. #4 New Orleans Saints on Sunday @ 4:40PM EST

The Saints are back in the playoffs and they come right into a home game and a revamped defense. It also helps Cam Newton is coming off his worst performance as a starting QB in his career.


Jake: Panthers 24, Saints 23


I really am not confident in Cam Newton. What I am confident in, is this Carolina defense. The lights are bright and perhaps we get a good game out of Cam but I expect the Panthers to steal one on the road and set up an easy road to the NFC Championship. One rule of thumb, you never want to play the same team three times in a season. Carolina has lost two but got closer last game. This is the one where they overcome it all.


Blaine: Saints 24, Panthers 13


Cam Newton couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn if he had tried last week. This postseason has the feel of a last hoorah for Drew Brees. Panthers have lost to the Saints twice already this season and I don’t expect that to change.


Alex: Saints 38, Panthers 10


Cam Newton is coming off of a career-worst performance against the Falcons. He looked lazy. It’s not a good time to be lazy. I think Brees and the Saints light the Panthers up.


Gary: Saints 34, Panthers 21


Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara will exploit the Panthers biggest weakness (not really a weakness) in run defense. Saints defense has surprised all year. Could come down to which Cam shows up.


James: Saints 30, Panthers 28


It would be nice to gush about how Cam Newton will roll right over the Saints, but he’s been inconsistent so often this year, that it’s a hard bet. No one on the Saints really wants to play the Panthers for a third time, and I think this will be the biggest slugfest of the weekend. The rookie running backs, Kamara and McCaffrey are going to take backseats in this one as each team tries to neutralize them. Cam Newton will throw a late pick to Marshon Lattimore, and Drew Brees will lead the Saints on a game winning drive.


Nick: Panthers 24, Saints 21


Newton and the Panthers get rolling against an overrated Saints defense. The underrated Panthers D is able to limit Kamara and Ingram, forcing Brees into too many obvious passing situations. Panthers win by less than a possession after a late Saints comeback attempt


Joseph: Panthers 31, Saints 28


In what may be the only upset in the weekend, Carolina will be able to get their first victory against New Orleans this season. It is extremely difficult to beat a team three times in one season, but the Saints sure do have a chance. The reason I favor the Panthers here is because Carolina is able to get it done even when Cam does not play great. Their defense knows New Orleans well and should work to limit Brees from have an explosive showing. If they can contain the Saints offense and play their own brand of offense they should be able to play off the upset and go into Philadelphia with momentum.


Mark: Saints 27, Panthers 14


A division rematch, this game should come down to whoever protects the football and who wins the time of possession. Both teams can run the ball well but New Orleans can do it better. Alvin Kamara shows out in his first career playoff game while Mark Ingram chews the clock in the fourth qtr. Another close one but Cam Newton turns the ball over and Carolina can’t keep up.


VERDICT: 5-3 Saints

It’s been 13 seasons of saying this could be the year and here we are and it has finally happened, post season football is back! The RAMS are the second youngest team in the NFL with only a hand full of experienced players with sudden death football experience. So my question to the great RAM fans of ROD, what is your confidence level heading into tonight’s prime time game against the Falcons?

GO RAMS!

http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/l...0105-story,amp.html?__twitter_impression=true

High-school years gave Rams coach Sean McVay his first taste of fame
Sam FarmerContact Reporter


The legend of Sean McVay only grows at the Marist School, a sprawling campus of red-brick buildings tucked into the hilly suburbs just north of Atlanta.

It wasn’t so long ago that the 31-year-old Rams wunderkind — the likely NFL coach of the year — thrilled Marist students and fans, not with his headset wizardry but with his forehead-slapping, ankle-snapping moves as a high school quarterback.


McVay’s game video was like a video game. The bright-eyed kid with straight and shaggy blond hair (not spiked like now) was so good that he was named 2003 State Player of the Year in Georgia, edging future Detroit Lionsstar Calvin Johnson in the process.

“That was ridiculous,” McVay said almost sheepishly this week during a break from preparations for Saturday night’s playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Coliseum. “He was a five-star recruit, best receiver in the country, and here I am, just a tough competitor that’s on a state championship team. Really what that was is it was a reflection of the team success we had, and then we were able to have some good stats because we won the state championship.


Miami of Ohio, didn’t get a chance to throw the ball much in the run-based offense at Marist. So he took particular umbrage on those rare occasions when his passes were intercepted.


Kathleen Hersey, actor David Hasselhoff, Fox News anchor Brett Baier and longtime Miss America host Bert Parks.

Marist football plays in Georgia’s AAAA division, even though it would be in the bottom third of smaller AAA schools in terms of enrollment. Still, the program has been remarkably successful under coach Alan Chadwick, winning two state championships and finishing as runner-up nine times.

These days, there’s an island of Rams fans in the middle of Falcons country.

“I’m just walking around with my chest poking out like you wouldn’t believe,” said Chadwick, who has coached at the school for 41 years. “I’ll be sitting at the bar having dinner or something like that. The TV is on, and I’ll be sitting next to some guy I don’t even know, and they’ll have the Rams on there, and I’ll say, ‘Hey, I coached that guy.’ I’m just bragging like crazy all over the place.

“I’m spreading that word as much as I can.”

McVay, who was an outstanding soccer player as a kid, eventually gravitated to football, where his grandfather and father made their mark. His grandfather, John McVay, coached the New York Giants then, as a front-office executive, helped build the San Francisco 49ers dynasty with Bill Walsh. Sean’s father, Tim, was a defensive back at Indiana.

Tim has been a constant at Rams games this season, watching as his son has run a reverse with a franchise that went 4-12 last year. These Rams finished 11-5 — although they didn’t play their starters in the finale, a meaningless loss to the 49ers — and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Football courses through the family’s veins, so it’s no surprise the young McVay grew obsessed with it. His friends would tease him about being a football nerd, often opting to study film with coaches when he could have been hanging out.

“We’ve had a lot of talented kids, we’ve had a lot of talented quarterbacks, but nobody like Sean,” said Paul Etheridge, his offensive coordinator in high school. “I’d say he was the best Marist quarterback we’ve ever had. We’ve had some better passers, but we’ve never had a better runner or a better overall quarterback.

“I’m not just talking about football skills. I’m talking about understanding the offense, reading defenses, and most importantly ability to lead and ability to communicate.”

McVay said those experiences in high school helped him pour the foundation for the coach he is today.

“Marist is a special place,” he said. “Some of the best coaches I’ve been around are those people I worked with in high school. What you realize is when you have an environment and an atmosphere like we had at Marist, where guys cared about each other, the coaches were great teachers and communicators, whether it’s high school, college or pro, I think coaching is coaching.

“That was really for me, as a young guy growing up, is seeing what you think is doing it the right way.”



sam.farmer@latimes.com

Follow Sam Farmer on Twitter @LATimesfarmer

Times staff writers Gary Klein and Andy McCullough contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2018, Los Angeles Times

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SportsBook wagers here;

http://www.ramsondemand.com/sportsbook/

It's Game Day

The GDT is a live thread tradition here at ROD.

While we all get fired up watching the game, please remember one of our core principles; we always aim to show respect for our team.

Despite the emotional highs and lows watching a game, we will moderate this thread with that in mind, however please refrain from name calling. This applies to players, the Rams organization, and others.

This is our team. Win or lose. Good days and bad.

Go Rams!

I'm doing a smorgasbord . Have Chili done, plus cooking brats for chili brats. Hungarian Hot Wax poppers, naturally wrapped in bacon, but filled with cream cheese and colby jack. My world famous cheese dip with a variety of chips including corn chips and Frito's chili cheese.

That said, I need to cook for the next week.... Sooo, I'll have a bird or two roasting in the oven since we're playing the Falcons. Wish I had some quail or dove..

Beverage wise, I'll be drinking me some Kraftig and will have shots of Jager ready for when we score.


Hope all my ROD brothers and sisters have a great menu planned. GOOOOOOOO RAMS!

Pretty cool video gotten off of FB. Rams have come a long way since then.

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I'm like major wired right now.... It really didn't hit me until this evening... I'm going to a Los Angeles Rams Playoff game in the Coliseum tomorrow...

amazing...

peeping this '79 Rams video to get ready...

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Last year’s unusually wet winter held back construction on the future home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers in Inglewood, forcing the stadium’s developers to push back its opening day to 2020.

But scarcely a drop of rain has fallen this winter, and construction is now moving right along.

Builders of the 70,000-seat arena announced Wednesday that thus far roughly 6 million cubic yards of dirt have been excavated, 45,000 cubic yards of concrete poured, and eight cranes brought to the construction site.

A massive structural retaining wall, which will support the stadium, is now 65 percent complete, and the outline of the ovular structure is taking shape.

Work on the project is about to ramp up. About 850 workers are now employed on the stadium on a given day, but that number will more than quadruple by next year.

At that point, work will have begun on the glassy roof canopy, which builders promise will be constructed using the help of “one of the largest cranes in the world.”



That’s par for the course for this particular project, which seems to be gunning for nearly every available superlative.

With a projected cost of $2.6 billion, the stadium and surrounding entertainment district and urban village will be the costliest NFL complex ever built (it could also be the most expensive for fans). At 3 million square feet, it will be the largest stadium in professional football. Its 120-yard video screen (dubbed Oculus) will be the biggest around.

As the renderings below illustrate, the screen will encircle the top of the field like a glittery halo. Above the screen will be a clear roofline allowing light to shine down on fans assembled in seats or luxury suites (there will be 275 of them).

Here’s a closer look at what the stadium will look like when complete:

I might be the only person that genuinely likes things things.

Anyone else?

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/01/...ams-this-could-be-the-start-of-something-big/


The fastest route to foolishness invariably runs through absolutes. As in speaking in them.

The Patriots will never stand alongside the Red Sox and Celtics, so many people in New England declared not long ago.

The Bulls brand will never compare with the Cubs, let alone the Lakers, supposedly wise observers once stated.

The Warriors will never own the Bay Area, said so many people in Northern California over the years.

No matter where you stand on the age ladder, the mere thought of such declarations seems absurdly ignorant. Yet at one point or another, they appeared safe and prudent proclamations.

Then fate, as it inevitably does, stepped in. And nothing was ever the same again.

Be careful what you say, is the obvious lesson. Because just when you think you’ve got a handle on everything, a dime drops and everything you thought to be true dramatically turns.

Michael Jordan gets drafted by a team to which no one outside of Chicago ever paid two seconds of attention.

Drew Bledsoe gets hurt, Tom Brady replaces him, and the Patriots are the toasts of New England.

Steph Curry. Klay Thompson. Kevin Durant. You know the rest.

I say all that to say this: Jared Goff. Todd Gurley. Aaron Donald. Sean McVay.

Hint. Hint.

I can hear the howling already. From the furthest reaches of National Football League borders all the way to PCH and Sunset Boulevard.

The Rams? Going big time?

Don’t rule it out. The stage is undoubtedly set.

And not just the one provided by a prime-time slot on national television Saturday to feed their wild-card playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons to the masses.

Or the intensely bright local spotlight they’ll perform under with the Dodgers off for the winter and USC and UCLA finished for the season, and the Lakers still finding their way out of the wilderness.

All of which the Rams are eagerly embracing as they host their first playoff game in Los Angeles since 1979.

The atmosphere awaiting them will be electric. As of Friday, more than 70,000 tickets had been sold. A crowd of 73,000 to 75,000 is expected. The Coliseum seats 92,0000, but the Rams have capped capacity in the mid 70,000s in order to maintain a comfortable fan experience at the 95-year-old stadium.

But it goes much further than one Saturday night in January in which the Rams will have all of Los Angeles to itself. The Rams seem poised to put together a run that will deeply alter their local and national stature.

To dismiss that possibility would be ignoring the Patriots ascent from the spot they occupied behind the Red Sox and Celtics to the Kings of New England and a national phenomenon. Or the once innocuous existence of the Warriors into a brand as admired and respected as any across America.

The Rams are guaranteed nothing beyond Saturday night. Win or lose. But to underestimate the opportunity they’ve worked their way into would be a mistake.

All the pieces are in place for the Rams to emerge as major players again in Los Angeles and, just as importantly, nationally.

As we’ve seen this year through their remarkable turnaround season, the one that pushed away 13 years of misery and irrelevancy and insignificance, the Rams have star power, fire power and an electricity about them that’s lit up scoreboards across the NFL, and finally flipped their record right side up.

Likely for the foreseeable future.

L.A. being the star-driven city it is, how about an MVP candidate, NFL Defensive Player of the Year favorite, Pro Bowl quarterback and Coach of the Year candidate?

Gurley, Donald, Goff and McVay say hi.

Gurley and Donald are entering their prime years. Goff is 23, and ahead of any schedule anyone could have imagined for him. His best football is ahead of him.

An exciting young wide receivers group will likely be retained through next year and perhaps beyond. Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp are as productive as any group in the NFL.

McVay is the youngest head coach in NFL history, and his impact has been so spectacular it’s left envious teams across the NFL trying to find a coach just like him.

A state-of-the-art stadium is emerging across the street from the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, one that will rise to the top of the sports world in terms of opulence and theatre and magnificence. It will be uniquely Los Angeles, and certainly a strong calling card to lure potential free agents.

Time will tell, obviously, but considering Gurley’s greatness, Goff’s efficiency, McVay’s brilliance in devising productive and powerful offenses and the lure of a market like Los Angeles, there’s reason to believe this is this is the start of something special rather than just a one off.


San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana and head coach Bill Walsh and his famed West Coast offense helped usher in an era of dominance and prosperity for the franchise. (AP Photo)
History has shown us those runs can start anywhere, anytime. Like a bolt from the heavens, it just happens.

Sometimes you sense it coming. Sometimes it comes as an absolute surprise.

Too many years ago that I care to remember, a young me watched a young quarterback named Joe Montana throw a last-minute touchdown pass to Dwight Clark to beat the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC Championship game.

I remember being so focused on (bleh) America’s Team getting beat I didn’t even recognize the ball that started rolling that day. One that would crush many an NFL team over the next decade or so.

The 49ers, aside from a brief burst or two over the years, were essentially a harmless, almost irrelevant franchise up to that point.

But from the moment Clark reeled in Montana’s pass in the corner of the end zone to beat the Cowboys, we’ve never looked at the 49ers the same way again. Out of nowhere, they became one of the great NFL franchises.

We probably should have seen it coming considering the breakthrough year Montana and Clark and Ronnie Lott and Bill Walsh had orchestrated in 1980. But most of us didn’t.

No one is saying the Rams are at the footsteps of that kind of dynasty. But after years of irrelevance, something seems to be turning for them.

A stage seems to be set.

And as history suggests, it would be a mistake to rule anything out.

:mrburnsevil:
Cowboy game. I’ll watch this over and over!

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People ask me all the time: How important was playing in the playoffs?

When you’ve played with a broken leg in the postseason, it’s an obvious question to get. The playoffs are about continuing to play the game you love, and giving your team a chance to win a championship — that’s all that matters. And it’s what was important to me.

But the playoffs aren’t a given because you’re an NFL player. Take, for instance, the last NFL playoff game ever played at the Coliseum: Jan. 7, 1979.

During that 1978 season, we had a great team. Went 12-4 during the regular season, and won the NFC West division championship, then won the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Vikings.

And then we went out and got blasted by the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game, 28-0.

Even though the playoffs are a special time, I don’t like thinking about that game too much. It still hurts thinking about “Hollywood” Henderson running back a 68-yard interception to cement the Cowboys’ win.

That’s what I mean when I say, the playoffs aren’t a given.

We had put in so much hard work to get to the doorstep of a Super Bowl. Had the game on our field, and were wiped away because of a poor second half. You never know if or when you’ll have the chance to do it again.



The next season, we started 4-5, looked to be struggling in so many ways. But finished 5-2 to win the division by one game. We once again made the postseason — and that’s all it takes. We had to travel to Dallas once again to play the Cowboys, pulling off the upset. (I broke my leg in that game, got taped up, and went back in.)

The next week in the NFC Championship, we went into Tampa Bay and beat the Buccaneers to make it to the Super Bowl. I played those last two games with the broken left fibula because there wasn’t anything that could prevent me from giving it my all.

That’s why I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the postseason. Even though we didn’t win the Super Bowl, I wouldn’t trade one second of those games for anything in the world.

Growing up in a small town in Florida, you dream of playing on a stage like the NFL Playoffs, the Conference Championships, and especially the Super Bowl. The hard work you put in during the offseason and the regular season, must be as purpose-driven as it can be. For me, it was about playing to win a Super Bowl every single time. Otherwise, why do it?

I had the honor to play for the Los Angeles Rams in 17 playoff games over my career. So, when you ask what the playoffs mean to me, I go back to the “grind.” Had to work harder than anyone else. Wouldn’t have meant much if I didn’t.

The offseason creates a lot of anxiety if you don’t give it your best. That feeling of unfinished business is what I mean. That stuff haunts you! You can see what you want, smell it, taste it, but you cannot get your hands on it. The frustration can be destructive. I’ve likened it to a thorn that festers in your soul.

The only thing you can control is your effort, and while missed opportunities stay with you for a long time, I look back at the playoffs and relish the competition and it was all worth it. I hope that today’s Rams don’t miss those moments, and have no regrets.



I have a million stories to share about the playoffs, but sometimes it’s those quiet moments that stand out the most. Like when I walked out on the field earlier than anyone else — the rush I got when I put the pads on and visualized what I’d be doing to my opponent a few minutes later. It’s an intensity, a feeling that can’t be replicated anywhere else.

Some of my fondest NFL memories are of playing for the Rams in the playoffs when we put it all out there, scratching and clawing, chasing and knocking down anything and anyone just to give our team the edge to win.

Oh boy, looking back I had some playoff moments that really tested me. On the eve of the Rams’ playoff game on Saturday, I’ve had a rush of these memories.

My very first playoff game in the 1973 NFC Divisional playoffs, on the road, against the Cowboys and that slippery Roger Staubach. I was itching to go, adrenaline was pumping. And boy did we hate the Cowboys.

We got there with Chuck Knox as head coach. We were 12-2 that season and had a great offense and defense. John Hadl zinging passes and us boys on the defense causing all sorts of mischief.

That first game was eye-opening. We were kids. We’d never been there before. But there’s a shift that takes place. You think, “OK, this feels good but now we gotta go to work!” You’re kind of awestruck but you must get over that in a hurry and then play every play like it’s your last play.

I swear to this day Roger had eyes in the back of his head and radar equipment in his helmet! Close game but Roger was the most competitive athlete I have ever played against. He hated to lose as much as I did.

Looking back, however, I appreciate even more the clashes with tackle Rayfield Wright. That man knew my every move. It was like a chess match. He’d go “Youngblood why don’t you just call it a day?!” and I’d say “Rayfield, sit back and enjoy big fella ‘cause it’s gonna be a long day!” Great player, great man. We had some battles.




I still get questions to this day about a Cowboys “curse” after that loss. I don't know about a curse. The Rams weren't an inferior team. But the Cowboys did get the better of us many times until the breakthrough in 1979.

My first playoff win, that was also a great feeling. We beat the Redskins in 1974 at the Coliseum. But it wasn’t until January 1980, after we beat Tampa Bay team on the road that we had our first shot at a Super Bowl trophy. Finally!

We faced a tough Tampa team. Doug Williams was quarterback. Missile for an arm. They also had an outstanding running back named Ricky Bell. I felt I could hold my own, even with the injury. I wore a plastic brace that took some of the pressure off. It fit over my ankle and went about eight inches up my leg.

I popped some aspirin and played every down.

But as I said, it was Sunday and that was the day I worked. Pain or other circumstances can be present, but if you want to do a job bad enough, you’ll find a way to get it done. If I had breath in my body, I was going to be on that field helping my teammates.And we came together at the right time to reach the goal that somehow eluded us all those times before.

But since we’re talking playoff memories, I’ve got a story to tell about our Vikings playoff game in 1976.

Remember, back in those days the Vikings played outdoors. Not inside the warm and cozy stadium they have today. So, we're hellbent on avenging a loss in the conference championship and that meant one thing: stopping Fran Tarkenton. He was elusive, and he was cocky. Got me fired up so much. I’d say, looking back, I won most of the battles against Ron Yary — his tackle — and probably the best there was at his position. (Don’t tell Dan Dierdorf I said that!)

By the time we stepped on the field at Metropolitan Stadium, though, the temperature was below zero and a wind chill of about -7. Funny, when people tell me it “warmed up” to 19 degrees. Don’t remember that at all. Back then, we shared a sideline with the Vikings, something you’d never see happen today.

After the Vikings blocked a field goal attempt and Bobby Bryant scooped up the ball and started running toward us along the sideline, I was standing next to our defensive tackle Larry Brooks.

I looked at Brooksie. He looked at me. I said, “Whaddya think? Should I?’” Brooksie gives me a sideways look, grinning, he says, “Nah. Maybe not.” Bryant ran it back something like 90 yards before the first quarter ended.

Boy, do I regret not preventing that score!

And here’s the best part: Not only did I have a bruised ego, but a scarred rear cheek to go with it. I picked up a fumble late in the game and I’m running my tail off down our sideline and I was 20 yards from the goal line, thinking I’m clear. But, somebody ear-holed me.

The first thing that hit was the right butt cheek on that ice.

I didn’t wear undergarments, all they did was collect water and slow you down. And that ice ripped my britches off. And here I am bleeding from the rear cheek.




Now, to get back, I had to go through the Minnesota sideline. The boys were razzing me, I mean everything from “Nice booty!” to things I just can’t repeat here. I get back to our side and I go over to Don Hewitt, the equipment manager, and tell him we must do something. He literally had a string and a needle – and he sowed my britches back up.

But before I get too far off topic, this brings me back to my point. Embrace the moments as if it will be your final stand. Whatever comes from the effort and the work you put into it will define you for the rest of your lives.

I know, I’ve got a scar on my rear end to prove it.

This is good news for me, because that @sshat haw been wrong so many times this year...lol

I think it's an interesting question. We all remember how Peyton Manning and Brett Favre went from MVP candidates to liabilities seemingly overnight. IMO, Brady appears to be starting to show his age. We might be seeing the twilight of his career. Here's a comparison to when most people think Manning started to show signs that he was nearing the end:
Peyton Manning's First 11 Starts of 2014
301/442
68.1%
3558 yards
8.1 YPA
34 TDs
9 Ints
109.5 QB Rating

Tom Brady's First 11 Starts of 2017
279/408
68.4%
3374 yards
8.3 YPA
26 TDs
3 Ints
111.7 QB Rating

Peyton Manning's Final 5 Starts of 2014
94/155
60.7%
1169 yards
7.5 YPA
5 TDs
6 Ints
78.7 QB Rating

Tom Brady's Final 5 Starts of 2017
106/173
61.3%
1203 yards
7.0 YPA
6 TDs
5 Ints
81.6 QB Rating

I think it'll be interesting to see how Brady looks in the playoffs.

Sorry if this has already been covered but ...

Does anyone know which exact colors our uniforms (and helmets) will be against Atlanta?

It is pretty good. How does everyone else feel?

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20...erragamo-playoff-game-like-going-back-in-time

By Rene Ray De La Cruz
Staff Writer
@DP_ReneDeLaCruz
Posted at 3:24 PMUpdated at 3:43 PM

VICTORVILLE — Former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo, and many fans of the team, said the home playoff game with the Atlanta Falcons this weekend will be like going back in time.

When the teams meet at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, it will be nearly 40 years since the Rams last played a playoff down at the historic stadium that housed the team for over three decades before the Rams moved to Anaheim.

Quarterback Vince Ferragamo, who lead the Rams to the Super Bowl in 1980, told the Daily Press he’s excited the team is back in the Super Bowl hunt, adding that the playoff game is like stepping back in time.

“I’m picking L.A. to beat the Falcons, but the Rams are going to have their hands full,” said Ferragamo, 63, who played for the team from 1977 to 1980 and 1982 to1984. “It will be two great teams playing in a historic stadium that once hosted the Olympics, the Super Bowl and the Los Angeles Dodgers.”

Ferragamo said it was a “privilege and honor” to play for the Rams, a team of athletes who played with “heart, grit and integrity.”

Ferragamo and the Rams beat the two-time defending NFC champion Dallas Cowboys 21–19 in the Divisional Playoffs, then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9–0 in the NFC championship game to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.

Ferragamo said he will watch Saturday’s game at the Coliseum, where he will offer his analysis for Fox 11.

Season ticket holder Richard Bounce, who will attend Saturday’s game with his grandson, Adam, told the Daily Press he fondly remembers the team playing in Los Angeles until it left for the land of Disneyland during the 1980 season, then for St. Louis about 14 years later.

“I grew up in the L.A. area so the Coliseum was like home to me,” said Bounce, owner of Bounce Realty in Apple Valley. “I went to the first Super Bowl and watched the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers at the Coliseum in 1967. We sat about the 50-yard line and I remember the tickets being 10 bucks at the time.”

He said he’d like to see a repeat of the 1980 Super Bowl between the Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers, but only if Los Angeles wins. The Rams lost that Super Bowl 31-19 before a sellout crowd at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Bounce, who is a “bigger Oakland Raiders fan,” said he has a a few Steeler fans who like to hold up six fingers to indicate the number of Super Bowls the team has won.

“It would be cool to see the Rams get the victory, especially over the Steelers — then we’ll see if they hold up fingers,” Bounce said. “And how cool and ironic would it be for the Rams to win a championship during their second year after coming back from St. Louis.”

Several fans, including Bounce, said the St. Louis Rams’ Super Bowl victory over the Titans in 1999 was a good win, but it wasn’t a “Los Angeles win.”

Ferragamo said it will be bittersweet when the Rams leave the 94-year-old Coliseum in 2020 for the new, state-of-the-art stadium under construction in Inglewood.

“It’s going to be a fascinating campus, with a new stadium, hotels, parks, retail, restaurants and single family homes,” said Ferragamo, who owns Touchdown Realty in Orange County and owns property in Victorville. “It’ll be a whole new world for the Rams and the Chargers when they start playing there.”

Gabe Hernandez, a member of the “Old Skool Rams from the High Desert” Facebook group, said he is planning an “Old Skool Tailgate” party at Lot 6 of the Coliseum at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, about five hours before the game.

Ok dudes, think I'm about broke now, with $80k wagered in the first round. THAT is how MFing excited I am about the Rams being in the playoffs. Here's the winners (or so I hope) for this weekend:

Chiefs over Titans. This is the matchup I'm most sure of. Chiefs are not only balanced, but their QB is having a career year and they're playing better defense after that midseason swoon. Titans suck balls on the road, and are going to run into a damn buzzsaw in KC. This one will be so bad that the owner will decide the coach is a sack of mularkey and will throw him out the building on Monday.

Rams over Falcons. I'm biased as F when it comes to the Rams. But honestly I like the matchups in this game in the trenches, and that's where games are won and lost for the most part. Rams have been more consistent schematically as well, and it's gonna show in a huge home win for the 2nd youngest team in the league.

Bills over Jaguars. Everyone goes on and on about QBs, but there are some teams where that is overlooked a bit too much thanks to the defense. The Jaguars defense is in that elite range statistically, but they've had enormous problems of late with run fits, particularly against TEs. Meanwhile the Bills play a very smart and efficient game and there's a better chance their QB doesn't F it up. Oh and btw I think given the history of that stadium that the Bills fans are going to be there in force, and it's going to make for some interesting conversation on Monday.

Saints over Panthers. This is my second surest thing this weekend. Panthers are going to get mauled in New Orleans, they just don't have the QB to keep them in it vs a team as varied and skilled as the Saints. The Saints are on a collision course with the Rams in the NFC Championship game IF the Rams win their next two. Should be some funny moments in this one, too, as Cam comes unglued in a big loss. Boohoo.

Hopefully I won't be broke on Monday and forced to beg on the street corner for more ROD dolla...

Looks like it’s going to be cool tomorrow evening. It’s raining up here which is why I checked. Which brings me to noticing that I think this sites count down clock is incorrect given a 5:15 start time on our coast.

NFL1000: Ranking the Top Edge-Rushers from 2017 Season
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2751015-nfl1000-ranking-the-top-edge-rushers-from-2017-season

First let me warn you before you read it:huh:.

I found thisuke: article in bleacherreport.com/articles posted 1/3/18 listing the top 125 Pass Rushers/ Edge Rushes. It was authored by NFL1000 Lead Scout Doug Farrar. Bleacher Report hired Doug Farrar in an attempt to beef up their NFL coverage by hiring Doug Farrar from Sports Illustrated back in 2016.

This article has four (#4) pass rushers who start for the Atlanta Falcons & at the same time he lists three (#3) of the Los Angeles Rams defensive front 5. Doug Farrar rated Vic Beasley the best Falcon rusher @ #40. This rating makes (in Doug Farra opinion) the best Edge Rusher/Pass rusher on the field Saturday evening in LA. Next was Brooks Reed @ #43. He continued to list Adrian Clayborn DE @ 59th & finished up with DE Derrick Shelby #79.

Doug Farrar went on to rate the LA Ram best pass rusher as Rob Quinn @#70 where he sayss "Robert Quinn has been reduced to an inconsistent version of himself after years of injuries and health complications." Down on his listings is Conner Barwin @ #104 were he say's "As a Band-Aid to get Phillips' unit on its feet,". Surprising he list Matt Longacre @ #113. But he neglected to include Rams DE Micheal Brockers & the best pass rusher in the NFL Aaron Donald. How could you do that? Doug Farrar rates & lists both of the Falcons pass rushers who line up on each side of their outstanding NT but omits Donald & Brockers who line up in the same positions ....

Guess one could say he thinks very highly of the Falcons Defensive front five. Can anyone here help me explain an article like this?

NFL Network will re-air the Rams - Cowboys game from Week 4 tonight at 8pm ET (5pm PT).

Spoiler alert: the good guys win.

What I want is revenge. To see Brady look like the 40 year old man he is, beaten to the ground with no mercy by Donald and crew. Then to see him do his whining to the refs (like the pointing to "my knee" one) after he in driven into the ground like a tent peg. Crumpled in a bent up heap that looks like Beatle Baily after the sarge beats him too a pulp.
There, I said it.