http://www.footballzebras.com/2017/12/26/week-17-referee-assignments-2017/

49ers at Rams (4:25 p.m.) — Terry McAulay

So apparently McVay wants to rest the starters vs the Whiners. I want to go over some scenarios for the Rams going into the playoffs.

1. The Rams beat the 49ers with backups, take the number 3 seed and play either Atlanta or Seattle at home. Then we go to Minnesota and possibly get a home game for the championship game. For me personally, I’m not looking forward to playing Seattle for a 3rd time. I know we smacked them last game, but their defense was deflated. And they’re going to get some guys healthy coming up. Lets hope Atlanta takes Carolina at home. Which leads to the next point.

2. We lose to the 49ers, Carolina and New Orleans both win, we take the 4th seed and get the Panthers at home. Seattle most likely beats the Cardinals which means they would get the Saints. Not a good matchup for them. Saints vs Vikings in a slug fest round 2. We go into Philly to extract our revenge and then have to go to New Orleans or Minn for the NFC championship. Either way, we would have a tough road as the 4th seed.

3. We lose to the 49ers, Carolina wins, New Orleans loses. This is my most ideal situation. But least likely to happen since Tampa Bay is a pile of dogshit this year. However, we could get the Saints at home in the wildcard and 99.9% of us would rather play the Panthers instead of the Saints in the championship game.

There’s plenty more ways it could go, but these are the scenarios I see playing out for the most part. If we win, nothing else really matters. But I hope we play Atlanta instead of Seattle if that happen. What say you?

I know I'm a week early but to curious too care.

I have cancer and this may be my final Super Bowl and of course I would love to see the Rams at most win the super bowl, at least make it to the super bowl. But even if they lose the wild card game, this year was a gift.

My thoughts, New Orleans and New England. It was cool to see Maurice Jones Drew predict Rams and Jags today.

And San Francisco is going to be killer next year.

First of all, it really bothered me that the Rams decided not to kick a field goal on the first drive, which would have been about 49-50 yards. I truly believe if the Rams had signed a veteran like Dan Carpenter or Garrett Hartley, they would have tried a field goal...That being posted away we go:

1. Missed extra point....Was not even close, did not strike the ball well and it faded right most Golfers recognize this as not following through or hitting the club open face.
2. Missed Field Goal...33 Yards, you have to make the kick, Ficken struck the ball much better, but again the ball began to fade somewhat and hit the upright dead on...No Good.
3. Second extra point....Dead on, his best kick of the day.
4. Third extra point...Good strike, ball did fade right again, but just towards the end.
5. Fourth extra point...Again good strike, went threw again faded a bit at the end.
6. Kickoffs...Two of the kickoffs were not returned with one being out of the end zone, one kick off was very short fielded at the ten yard line and because short kick Titans returned it to the 30. He did place the ball very well when the Rams went up 20-13, but it was returned to midfield. Again not sure if Fassel instructed him to kick it that way and it was fielded at the goal line to the Rams left, however, that request might have been asked for because they did not feel he could kick it out of the end zone.

I will admit I have been spoiled this year by Zuerlein and I was aware how good Zuerlein was with all the issues at kicker this year and now it has hit the Rams. When you look at the stats of the other kickers I can understand why Fassel went with the kid who gave the best workout, but if he misses the easy field goals again I would go with either Dan Carpenter who has the best field goal percentage or Jason Myers,(Jags) who has a big time leg and was just a few touch backs short of Zuerlein 63-60, Myers also has kicked a 58 yard field goal and when released by the Jags had missed 4 field goals, three of over 50 yards and a 35 yard FG against us for those who remember....Garrett Hartley is another, who had some success, but has not kicked since 2015 for the Steelers and then pulled his hamstring and was put on IR, concerned why he has not been signed with all the other issues around the NFL.

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https://www.sbnation.com/2017/12/26/16817082/2017-nfl-power-rankings-week-16

#5 Rams

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/new...ms-panthers-saints/17bu55en655491ow4m7zfouxel

#6 Rams

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/pag...us-their-projected-preseason-vegas-win-totals

#4 Rams

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ngs-week-17-chiefs-back-in-top-10-eagles-fall

#4 Rams

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...re-does-every-team-stand-heading-into-week-17

#4 Rams

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/nfl-week-17-power-rankings/ss-BBHnB1I#image=29

#4 Rams
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As a reminder of how far the Rams have risen, this from 12/27/16...

https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/galle...ings-cowboys-steelers-patriots-falcons-122716

#32 Rams

Los Angeles Rams (last week: 30)
Losing to the 49ers once is bad. Losing to the 49ers twice in the same season is even worse. At least they’ll have a new (probably flashy) head coach to lead them next season.

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Seeing him clear guys like that is one of my favorite things in football. I get so hype every time he does it. I know I’m not alone lol

http://www.ramsondemand.com/powerrankings/power-rankings-week-17.25/

Damn my own rules!!!!

My son and I were sitting behind some Ram fans from St Louis. My youngest son is beside me but is obscured by the kid in the white shirt with his hands up (my son is wearing a yellow Ram hat).

I got quite a few compliments on my Dickerson throwback jersey from ThrowBackJoes (which was an ordeal last year). For the most part though, the Titans fans were very friendly.

I think I learned a lesson on how many layers of clothing to wear - as much as you can put on! Damn, it got cold!!!

http://www.profootballweekly.com/20...will-agree-to-part-ways-after-season/ahhsf5i/

Lots of coaching turnover in the NFC West.

Edit. ESPN says he isn't. We'll see.

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I’ve heard fans of other teams say “wait till the Rams play a first place schedule next year”, which is an incredibly stupid thing to say, and here’s why:

• every team has to play their division games, plus one division in each conference. That means that the “first place schedule” affects TWO games out of the season.

• this year, our “last place schedule” netted us games against the Vikings and Saints. Enough said lol

How about them NFC West Champion Rams!!!!!!!

Last REGULAR season game! It's "Whiner Week"!!!! Let's finish them off and bring Jimmy G and crew back down to earth....

Tailgate will be in Lot 5, as always give me a shout with count and drink orders.

Greg
714 510-7693

GZ was so important to the Rams, it can't be understated, IMHO.

Before his loss, the Super Bowl was a real goal.

Now, I'm just not on board. You can't lose the highest scoring player in the NFL, with a team who already has obvious weaknesses, and just carry on. I expected a drop off but the Titans game was a showcase of how important he was.

Field position and decision making has been drastically altered.

Game plan is altered.

I want the Rams to go deep, but because of this loss, I don't think they will.

We had the best ST in the NFL. Now we don't.

It's about to get very real and we won't be counting on touchbacks and points every time we cross the 40. It's huge.

This isn't about the new kicker, God speed to him, we lost a value that few are acknowledging. It's massive. Game changing. Season changing.

This next game, I would let the new kicker kick every single time we were within range. Get him acclimated. Get him comfortable. Or get him out.

I think Minnesota is a tougher matchup than the Eagles therefore I am hoping the Viking take over the 1 seed.
Yes I am glad to just be there controlling our own destiny and do know you have to win in round 1 first.

BUT.....Given A Choice

i think the Eagles are one and done in the playoffs. They better pray for a weather advantage.

What a catch by DeAndre Hopkins of the Texans. Catch of year for sure - tips the ball with one hand and catches it with the other while keeping both feet in the end zone (Wow).

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...unfortunately, I answered "B"

who is the group that walk down the runway singing to start the show? They have clips of players singing and playing interspersed.

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http://walterfootball.com/offseason2017lar.php

Some snippets...

Making matters worse, Goff was seen partying at the Super Bowl even though he didn't win (or cover) a single game as a rookie. At this rate, Goff could end up being the greatest draft bust in NFL history, as he would beat JaMarcus Russell because of all the Rams had to surrender to obtain him.

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It's appearing as though Goff is closer to Gabbert than the other two quarterbacks, as he doesn't seem to have that all-important "it" factor.

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However, Whitworth turns 36 during the season, and it's awfully suspicious that he took the money to leave a better team to a horribly run franchise that hasn't been to the playoffs in more than a decade. It's almost as if he went to California to retire early.

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That's not to say that Whitworth will definitely slack off, but it's fair to question his passion at this stage of his career.

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Goff will need Gurley to rebound because he has no offensive weapons at his disposal. In fact, it could be argued that his receiving corps will be worse in 2017. Kenny Britt had slacked off for years, but he tried hard last year, and he's now gone. Replacing him is the horribly overpaid Robert Woods, a pedestrian No. 2 receiver who will be asked to function like a top wideout. Tavon Austin and rookie Cooper Kupp round out the worst receiving corps in the entire NFL. Second-round rookie tight end Gerald Everett is likely too raw to help out this season, though the Rams should feel optimistic about his future.

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Coaches who have done the opposite have almost never panned out in the NFL, so it appears as though Sean McVay is destined to fail. McVay hired Wade Phillips to be the defensive coordinator, so the Rams will be moving to a 3-4. Phillips is a great assistant coach despite causing friction in the Denver locker room. However, it's very fair to question if the Rams have the personnel to make the 3-4 work.

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but Barron will almost certainly be abused in run support. The Rams have very little else at inside linebacker, so they're in pretty horrible shape at this position.

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If there's a silver lining for the Rams' defense, it's that cornerback E.J. Gaines will be healthy after an injury-ravaged 2016 campaign. Gaines was awful when he played, so he should improve in 2017. He'll start across from the excellent Trumaine Johnson. Nickell Robey-Coleman and Kayvon Webster, meanwhile, were signed for depth. The former played well several seasons ago, so perhaps he can recapture the magic as the starting nickel corner in Los Angeles. Webster struggled last year, but is at least familiar with Phillips' scheme, given that he's a former Bronco.

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Along with Johnson, the Rams have another fantastic player in their secondary in Maurice Alexander, a great cover safety who has developed well after being a fourth-round pick in 2014. The Rams, however, lost his partner in crime T.J. McDonald to an expired contract. Lamarcus Joyner will also have to make an adjustment, as he'll have to transition from cornerback to safety in order to compensate for the loss. Third-round rookie John Johnson will compete for the job.

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The Rams have quite a few winnable games on their schedule: Redskins (home), 49ers (twice), Jaguars (road), and that's pretty much it.

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It's highly unlikely the Rams will be competitive in 2017, and it could be possible that they'll obtain the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The question then will be, do they take Sam Darnold?

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Projection: 3-13 (4th in NFC West)

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Couple of draft "analyses"

It doesn't really matter whom the Rams add at receiver; they could have Jerry Rice and Cris Carter in their prime, and Jared Goff would still be terrible.

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Cooper Kupp is a smart receiver who is a big threat in the red zone, and he obviously fills a need. He also makes sense in this range. It's a solid choice, but Kupp will need Goof to leave in order to post solid numbers.

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91. John Johnson, S, Boston College: RAMS R-A-M-E MILLEN Grade
You know, I was just thinking that we haven't had many bad picks. It feels like almost everything has ranged from A+ to "B." I don't know what happened, but Philadelphia has transformed most franchises into competent drafters. Unfortunately, that has not affected the Rams and Bears. Los Angeles selected a player I had in the 200s of my big board. He fills a need, but this is an egregious reach.

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Read more: http://walterfootball.com/offseason2017lar.php#ixzz52J5ctWMU

Read more at http://walterfootball.com/offseason2017lar.php#yt3hgyadBAUMPEYO.99

I had posted last week about my brother coming in for the game.. well it was so awesome watching the Rams come to Nashville and getting a hard earned road victory, weather was a little crappy and having a questionable kicker situation i was definitely nervous. The only setback to our day was an obnoxious drunk Titan fan yelling in our ears the whole game.. he repeatedly let us know how poor Goff played and that he couldnt throw the ball downfield. Mixed in his rants were constant comments about going after gurleys ACL.. he crossed the line with that bull&:! A Police officer finally stepped in with about 3 minutes left in the game and he closed his trap. When Barwin chased down Mariota to basically end the game i turned to tell him bye.. but he had already left. I couldnt have asked for a better Christmas gift for my 2 boys and my brother to have witnessed the Rams clinching the division on the hated Titans home turf. Sweet victory... and I believe a Wooooooo! is appropriate. Merry Christmas my Ram bros. Ram it!

She appears rested for a playoff run!