https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-ranking-the-nfl-qbs-on-3-step-concepts

Ranking the NFL QBs on 3-step concepts
BY BRIAN SPOON


Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

At Pro Football Focus, every player, on every play, of every game is tracked and in doing so, we chart every conceivable data point available. With 10 weeks of data from the 2017 NFL season to filter, PFF’s Brian Spoon takes a look at how often quarterbacks use 3-step concept dropbacks, and how well they perform when they do.

Below is a list of the 29 quarterbacks who qualified (by attempting least 15 pass attempts on 3-step concepts), all ranked by passer rating on such throws. The top-2 of the list may not surprise you with how well their respective teams have fared this season:

*Note: these numbers do include those 3-step concept passes on designed screen plays.

1. JARED GOFF, LOS ANGELES RAMS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 130.2

Goff is having a breakout season in his second year, and his performance on 3-step concepts is no exception, as he sees the highest passer rating on these passes. Under new head coach Sean McVay’s scheme, Goff has attempted 42 passes on 3-step concepts, completing 31 of them for 351 yards with four touchdowns against no interceptions. He has an average depth-of-target of 3.0 yards and has been pressured on only five of these dropbacks (11.6 percent), a rate good for eighth-lowest among qualifying quarterbacks.



2. CARSON WENTZ, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 118.5

Wentz is our sixth-highest graded quarterback (85.0 overall grade) through 10 weeks, and his use of 3-step concepts is a big reason why. With head coach Doug Pederson helping his young QB with open, quick reads, Wentz has the most pass attempts (103), completions (73), yards (698), and touchdowns (nine) on 3-step concepts. These dropbacks comprise 35.4 percent of his total, the highest rate in the league.

3. JAMEIS WINSTON, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 116.0

Winston has attempted 44 passes on 3-step concepts, completing 33 of them for 383 yards and two touchdowns against zero interceptions. Winston leads the NFL in average depth-of-target on 3-step concepts at 8.4 yards (average is 4.7). This isn’t surprising considering he also leads the league in percentage of total passing yards coming through the air (68.3 percent).

4. ALEX SMITH, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 104.2

Smith has attempted 81 passes on 3-step concepts and completed 63 of them, second only to Wentz in each category. He has thrown three touchdowns against zero interceptions and his completion percentage (77.8 percent) is third among qualifying quarterbacks. 3-step concepts make up 27.6 percent of his dropbacks, the third-highest percentage in the league.

5. RUSSELL WILSON, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 103.0

Wilson is our fourth-highest graded quarterback through 10 weeks (85.3 overall grade). He has attempted 46 passes on 3-step concepts, completing 36 of them for 261 yards and three touchdowns. His completion percentage (78.3 percent) is tops among quarterbacks with an average depth of target of at least 4.0 yards (Wilson’s is 4.7).

6. KIRK COUSINS, WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 102.6

Cousins has gone 50-of-75 for 445 yards on 3-step concepts, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. These concepts account for 24.0 percent of his total dropbacks, the fourth-highest rate in the league. He has seen pressure on 17.7 percent of these dropbacks and been sacked four times, the most times sacked among qualifying quarterbacks.

7. JACOBY BRISSETT, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 101.9

Brissett has attempted 38 passes on 3-step concepts, completing 25 for 350 yards with two touchdowns against one interception. His average depth-of-target (7.9 yards) is third-highest among qualifying quarterbacks. Brissett came into Week 10 ranked in the bottom third of the league in 3-step concept passer rating, but his long touchdown to Donte Moncrief against the Colts – his only 3-step concept of the game – catapulted him into the upper quartile.

8. JOSH MCCOWN, NEW YORK JETS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 97.0

McCown has taken 3-step concepts 21.5 percent of the time, ninth-highest in the league. He has completed 42-of-62 passes, throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions. Though McCown has been sacked 32 total times this year (second-most in the NFL), only one of those has come on a 3-step drop.

9. TYROD TAYLOR, BUFFALO BILLS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 96.4

Taylor has attempted 46 passes on 3-step concepts, completing 31 of them for 261 yards and two touchdowns against zero interceptions. He has seen pressure on just 10.4 percent of dropbacks, the fourth-lowest rate in the league. His has kept these passes relatively short, as his average depth of target (3.0 yards) is tied with the Rams’ Goff for fourth-lowest among qualifying quarterbacks.

10. MATT RYAN, ATLANTA FALCONS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 95.0

Ryan has used 3-step concepts on 23.1 percent of his total dropbacks, the fifth-highest rate in the league. He has completed 51-of-69 passes (73.9 percent), a completion percentage that ranks him sixth. His 558 passing yards are third-most among qualifying quarterbacks. Ryan thrown two touchdowns against two interceptions, one of only six quarterbacks to throw multiple interceptions on these pass attempts.

11. DREW BREES, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 94.4

Brees’ performance on 3-step concepts is a study in contrast. He has been deadly efficient, completing 31-of-34 total passes, but with the lowest average depth-of-target (1.4 yards) he managed just 226 total passing yards and zero touchdowns.

Though he has been incredibly accurate at this range (a league-best 91.2 completion percentage), he has used 3-step concepts just 11.3 percent of the time, the fourth-lowest rate in the league. Brees is the only qualifying player to have not experienced a single pressure on 3-step concepts.



12. BLAKE BORTLES, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 94.3

Bortles has attempted 51 passes on 3-step concepts, completing 34 for 329 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions. His average depth-of-target is 6.6 yards, fourth-highest among qualifying quarterbacks.

13. DAK PRESCOTT, DALLAS COWBOYS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 94.0

Prescott has used 3-step concepts on 19.0 percent of his total dropbacks, completing 37-of-55 passes for 293 yards. His six touchdowns on 3-step concepts are second only to Philadelphia’s Wentz, but three of his four total interceptions have also occurred here.

14. DESHONE KIZER, CLEVELAND BROWNS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 93.6

Kizer is our second-lowest graded quarterback (52.1 overall grade) through 10 weeks, but his greatest struggles haven’t come on 3-step concepts. Kizer is 33-of-44 passing for 246 yards with two touchdowns and one interception when taking a 3-step drop. His completion percentage (75.0 percent) is tied for fourth among qualifying quarterbacks

15. ELI MANNING, NEW YORK GIANTS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 91.7

Manning has thrown three of his 14 total touchdowns on 3-step concepts, while also tossing two of his six interceptions. He has attempted 63 passes on these drops, completing 44 for 435 yards, the sixth-most passing yards on 3-step concepts among qualifying quarterbacks.

16. JAY CUTLER, MIAMI DOLPHINS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 91.0

Cutler has attempted passes on 3-step concepts 22.0 percent of the time, going 40-of-57 for 277 yards, including three touchdowns and one interception. That 22.0 percent is the sixth-most among qualifying quarterbacks and his offensive line has allowed pressure on 15.3 percent of those attempts, and he’s been sacked twice.

17. MATTHEW STAFFORD, DETROIT LIONS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 90.5

Stafford has attempted 63 passes on 3-step concepts, completing 46 of them for 357 yards. His 2.8-yard average depth-of-target is third-lowest among those listed here and his completion percentage (73.0 percent) is ninth-best.

18. CAM NEWTON, CAROLINA PANTHERS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 89.2

Newton doesn’t use 3-step dropbacks very often (11.2 percent of the time, the third-lowest rate in the league). He has completed 26-of-36 passes for just 173 yards. His average depth-of-target (3.1 yards) is tied for sixth-lowest among qualifying quarterbacks and he has thrown two touchdowns against one interception on 3-step concepts. Newton’s offensive line has allowed a pressure just 10.8 percent of the time, the fifth-lowest rate in the league.

19. TOM BRADY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 89.1

Brady, our top-graded passer (92.7 overall grade), has gone 25-of-41 passing on 3-step concepts with one touchdown against zero interceptions. His average depth-of-target (6.0 yards) is sixth-highest among quarterbacks with enough attempts to qualify. Though he’s seen pressure on 22.0 percent of his dropbacks, he has yet to be sacked.

20. PHILIP RIVERS, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 87.6

Rivers has used 3-step concepts only 9.9 percent of the time, second-lowest among qualifying quarterbacks. He has completed 17-of-32 passes for 157 yards, giving him the second-lowest completion percentage among qualifying quarterbacks (53.1 percent) despite being pressured just four times (12.5 percent of dropbacks).

21. MARCUS MARIOTA, TENNESSEE TITANS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 81.7

Mariota has utilized 3-step concepts on 19.1 percent of his dropbacks, going 30-of-42 for 303 yards. Mariota has faced pressure on just 6.7 percent of his dropbacks – the second-lowest rate in the league – but two of these three pressures resulted in sacks. He has yet to throw a touchdown on a 3-step drop, though he has thrown an interception.

22. BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 79.0

Big Ben uses 3-step concepts on 12.4 percent of his dropbacks, going 28-of-41 for just 217 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His average depth-of-target (1.9 yards) is the second-lowest among those listed here and his completion percentage (64.7 percent) is 5.0 percent worse than any other quarterback whose average depth-of-target is less than 3.0 yards. Pressure has not been the cause of the lower completion percentage, as he has faced pressure on these attempts just twice (7.3 percent of dropbacks), the third-lowest rate in the league, and not been sacked.

23. DEREK CARR, OAKLAND RAIDERS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 78.4

Carr completed 36-of-55 passes for 288 yards on 3-step dropbacks, with no touchdowns or interceptions. He had an average depth-of-target of 3.1 yards on these throws and has been pressured on just six dropbacks, the 10th-best rate in the league among qualifying quarterbacks (10.9 percent).

24. CASE KEENUM, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 72.7

Keenum has attempted 19 passes on 3-step concepts, completing 14 for 142 yards. He has used 3-step concepts on just 7.3 percent of his total dropbacks, easily the lowest rate in the league. Keenum has been unafraid to throw the ball downfield in the rare occasions he does use a 3-step concept, however; his 8.1-yard average depth-of-target is second only to Tampa Bay’s Winston.

25. TOM SAVAGE, HOUSTON TEXANS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 67.9

Savage has attempted 15 passes on 3-step concepts, completing nine for just 57 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. His 60.0 completion percentage is third-worst among qualifying quarterbacks. In limited work thus far, Savage has used 3-step concepts 16.1 percent of the time, compared to former starter Deshaun Watson’s 22.5 percent rate prior to his season-ending injury.

26. ANDY DALTON, CINCINNATI BENGALS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 67.1

Dalton has used 3-step concepts 28.4 percent of the time, the second-highest rate in the league. Dalton has attempted 77 passes on 3-step concepts, completing 54 of them for a total of 562 yards and two touchdowns. Although these drops represent barely a quarter of his total dropbacks, they have accounted for 75 percent of his interceptions. Six of Dalton’s eight picks have come on 3-steps drops, the most of any qualifying quarterback.

27. C.J. BEATHARD, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 67.0

Beathard has gone 21-of-33 for 194 yards on 3-step concepts, netting zero touchdowns and one interception. His 53.6 completion percentage is sixth-lowest among qualifying quarterbacks. For Beathard, this mediocre production has come at a cost: he has faced pressure on 30.6 percent of these dropbacks (including two sacks), the highest rate among qualifying quarterbacks.

28. DREW STANTON, ARIZONA CARDINALS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 62.6

Stanton has completed just 9-of-17 passes on 3-step concepts, a 52.9 completion percentage that ranks him last in the league among qualifying quarterbacks. Though he hasn’t been sacked on these dropbacks, he has been pressured 23.5 percent of the time, the second-highest rate in the league.

29. JOE FLACCO, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Passer rating on 3-step concepts: 50.6

Flacco has completed 26-of-40 passes for 146 yards on 3-step concepts, with no touchdowns against two interceptions. His 65.0 completion percentage in these dropbacks ranked him sixth-worst among qualifying quarterbacks. He had the fifth-highest average depth of target (6.1 yards) and was pressured at the third-highest rate (22.0 percent).

Editor’s Note: Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson led the league in passer rating on 3-step concepts (132.8) at the time of his injury, with eight touchdowns against one interception.

Denver’s Brock Osweiler, Green Bay’s Brett Hundley and Chicago’s Mitchell Trubisky lacked the requisite number of attempts to qualify.

Throwing people around like dolls:

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/veteranscout/status/930474910140399617

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/playoffodds.

Link to their DVOA chart:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teameff


The playoff odds report plays out the season 50,000 times. A random draw assigns each team a win or loss for each game. The probability that a team will be given a win is based on an equation which considers the current Weighted DVOA ratingsof the two teams as well as home-field advantage. (DVOA ratings are explained here.) Mean Wins is the average number of wins for this team over the 50,000 simulations. Odds are given for winning each playoff seed, as well as for winning the division (DIV), earning a bye week (BYE), or winning a wild card (WC). TOT represents odds of making the playoffs in any fashion.

Mean Wins includes 0.5 wins for each tie.

The Weighted DVOA ratings used in the simulation are adjusted as follows:

• In Weeks 11-15, Dallas rating drops -8.0% due to Ezekiel Elliott suspension.
• Arizona rating goes up 8.0% with David Johnson returning Week 14 in 20 percent of simulations; in the other 80 percent of simulations, Johnson does not return this season. Arizona rating is also adjusted (-6.4%) for Drew Stanton replacing Carson Palmer.
• Green Bay rating is adjusted (-10.5%) for Brett Hundley replacing Aaron Rodgers. In 10 percent of simulations, Rodgers returns with Green Bay getting a 20.0% DVOA bonus from Week 15 onwards.
• Houston rating is adjusted (-13.6%) for Tom Savage replacing Deshaun Watson. (The adjustment is larger than the one for Green Bay because the current Houston rating includes more Watson games than the Green Bay rating includes Rodgers games.)
• Tampa Bay rating is adjusted (-13.0%) for Ryan Fitzpatrick replacing Jameis Winston in Week 11. Winston returns in Week 12 in one-third of simulations, in Week 13 in one-third of simulations, and in Week 14 in one-third of simulations.

I'm all in for on to the Vikings but this is an interesting read their DVOA is a fun follow as well, they really weigh special teams heavy.

Bummer, we got flexed, but only too the 1:25pm spot. Not too Sunday night game. Would have been nice to have a night primetime game in LA!

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...nts-games-vs-rams-panthers-get-flex-treatment


Saints' games vs. Rams, Panthers get flex treatment



Print

• By Nick Shook NFL.com
• Published: Nov. 14, 2017 at 05:22 p.m.
• Updated: Nov. 14, 2017 at 05:46 p.m.

Get out the bent-arm emojis -- it's flexing season.

As we move into the latter portion of the 2017 slate, game times are suddenly subject to change. Records and stakes matter!

The Week 12 schedule gets a little jucier in the late afternoon slot, with New Orleans' matchup against the Los Angeles Rams moving to 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS. The move, however, means the Rams-Saintswon't be flexed to Sunday Night Football, as some had speculated it could have. In the same week, Tennessee at Indianapolis stays in the 1 p.m. slot but moves to FOX.

In Week 13, a major NFC South battle moves into the national slot with the Carolina at New Orleans game shifting to 4:25 p.m. ET and staying on FOX. Denver at Miami will move to FOX, but stay in the 1 p.m. ET time slot.

While those changes sure are appetizing, the original (and still delicious) Sunday Night Footballentrees remain the same. The prime-time slot doesn't see any changes for neither Week 12 nor Week 13.

The updated schedule is below.

UPDATE: NFL schedule changes for Weeks 12 & 13

Week 12
NO at LAR moves to 4:25 PM ET on CBS
TEN at IND moves to FOX (stays at 1:00 PM ET)

Week 13
CAR at NO moves to 4:25 PM ET (stays on FOX)
DEN at MIA moves to FOX (stays at 1:00 PM ET)

No changes to Sunday Night Football pic.twitter.com/p4wXJV3OPY

— Randall Liu (@RLiuNFL) November 14, 2017

This week's power ranks are up. Why read something written by old people and lawyers when you can read what a millennial aka the common sense generation wrote?!??!?!

http://www.ramsondemand.com/powerrankings/power-rankings-week-11.19/

But only 20 minutes later and moved to CBS. Not sure what the point of these moves are they're not changing any game into the Sunday night matchup either week 12 or 13 but supposedly Rams vs Eagles still a chance to move to the SNF game.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/RLiuNFL/status/930555829887094784

By: Cameron DaSilva | 3 hours ago

At this exact point last season, the Los Angeles Rams were 4-5 and coming off of an ugly 9-6 win over the Dolphins. Case Keenum was the starting quarterback, but he was benched in favor of No. 1 pick Jared Goff for Week 11 and beyond.

Now, they’re set to square off against each other on a big stage in Minnesota on Sunday. Both teams are 7-2, both quarterbacks are playing relatively well, and both are realizing how much easier the quarterback position is without Jeff Fisher at the helm.


Film room: Breaking down Robert Woods’ historic 171-yard day vs. Houston
Some will call this the “Case Keenum revenge game,” but the former Ram doesn’t view it that way. He spent two seasons with the Rams, going 7-7 in 14 starts before joining the Vikings this offseason.

“I’m definitely excited about playing these guys. I’ve had this one circled, just to see everybody. I know everybody, from the training room to the equipment room to some of the coaches and players, so I’m excited to see those guys,” Keenum said on the Dan Patrick Show Tuesday. “I’ve been competing against those guys on defense in practice for the last three years.”


There has been a significant amount of turnover on the Rams’ roster this year, but Keenum knows there are still a few guys who will try to talk to him and get in his head.

“You know, I can already hear Michael Brockers’ voice right now: ‘Hey Case,’” Keenum said, laughing. “There’s a bunch of those guys. Aaron Donald’s probably the guy that will try to crush me and not say a word. … He’s won a lot of awards and I still think he’s underrated. He’s a heck of a player, I got a lot of respect for him.”

The Rams’ front is playing as well as any in the NFL right now, ranking fifth in the league with 28 sacks. Donald and Brockers are responsible for eight of those, proving to be one of the best duos in football.

Keenum has his work cut out for him on Sunday.

http://theramswire.usatoday.com/201...s-rams-minnesota-vikings-case-keenum-week-11/

OBVIOUSLY the offense is greatly improved from the last 2 years . But could it have gotten any worse ?
We went from having the worst receiving core in football to in my opinion the best . The o line is playing tremendous and Todd gurley is playing like the superstar he is.

We all know the talent that this defense has , on paper they should have been an elite defense for the last 3 seasons. BUT they lacked discipline and always broke down at the worst times , which was beyond frustrating as a fan.

This current defense is playing lights out and I love it ! Most people are freaking out about the offense but I think the D has been equally impressive . They are dominating
the line of scrimmage, swarming the ball carrier and taking the ball away . They are alot of fun to watch and I expect them to only get better .

This is the next great defense in the NFL

We get Walt Anderson this week. It could be worse that's for sure.


Thursday, Nov. 16

• Titans at Steelers NBC NFLN — Ron Torbert

Sunday, Nov. 19

• Buccaneers at Dolphins — Tony Corrente
• Lions at Bears — Brad Allen
• Jaguars at Browns — Pete Morelli
• Ravens at Packers — Jeff Triplette
• Cardinals at Texans — Ed Hochuli
• Rams at Vikings — Walt Anderson
• Washington at Saints — Walt Coleman
• Chiefs at Giants — Gene Steratore
• Bills at Chargers — John Parry
• Bengals at Broncos — Craig Wrolstad
• Patriots vs. Raiders (Mexico City) — John Hussey
• Eagles at Cowboys NBC — Bill Vinovich

Monday, Nov. 20

• Falcons at Seahawks ESPN — Carl Cheffers

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/ArashMarkazi/status/930233324252966912


Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/JorgeChargersfu/status/930249055954911232


Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/LosAngelesFanz/status/930236097308663809


Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/PadresFan1968/status/930242941670404097


:rolllaugh:

I've been struggling big time lately financially and I'm trying to find ways to make a few extra dollars because right now, it'll go a long way.

If you could be so kind... take a moment to check out some of my music and if you like what you hear, maybe purchase a song or EP. I'd be so thankful, you don't even know.

EP #1 https://goo.gl/wVrntY
EP #2 https://goo.gl/3qCGhZ

If you don't want the music but want to make a small donation you can do that here: http://paypal.me/YourLastCall

I appreciate the support. It means a lot. Thanks!

Hello,

I can't seem to find the weekly condensed game that is posted. NFL Redzone did a piss poor job of showing anything. Did I miss it or has it stopped being posted?

I mean really....We are 7-2, and are obviously legit. Our offensive scheme is superior an the defense just chokes people to death! I go to opposing forums and the act like their team is just so much better, and our team is beneath notice! My phone keeps getting messaged by fools that disagree with my take of how great my team will do against their team....They just need to quit being homers and face the facts....

Fans of:
Saints
Vikings
Rams

Andrew Whitworth will be on the Colin Cowherd show sometime in the 11am pst hour, in studio. He's on the radio and on tv.

I'll admit, as a lifelong Rams fan, I'm nervous to drink the Kool-Aid, even though it's been tasting so good lately. I hate that I'm constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Though I'm incredibly nervous and anxious to see how we play against real competition, one things for sure, there's some incredibly exciting games on the horizon.

I feel like we have the toughest schedule for the remaining stretch of the season. But this article did point out somethings I keep overlooking. One, other NFC opponents have some tough games coming up too. Second, these NFC contenders need to face us. We are one of their toughest games they'll have. This is the moment where we all find out who's the real contenders and who's the pretenders.

Time to get those horns up. It's gonna be a battle. Go Rams!


http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...f-week-10-what-to-panic-about-and-what-not-to

The Debrief, Week 10: What to panic about -- and what not to

Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick [URL='http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2012/10/optimism_returns_to_new_englan.html']are fond of saying that the NFL season doesn't start until after Thanksgiving. For the upstart Los Angeles Rams[/URL] and the rest of the teams that make up this crowded NFC playoff picture, that schedule is getting moved up a week this season.

The upcoming Week 11 clash between the Rams and Vikings -- two surprise 7-2 teams -- kickstarts a frantic stretch for Rams coach Sean McVay's crew, which will face the other four best teams in the NFC in a span of five weeks: at Minnesota in Week 11, vs. New Orleans in Week 12, vs. Philadelphia in Week 14 and at Seattle in Week 15. An organization whose onfield product has mostly been ignored or gawked at nationally since the middle of the last decade will be at the very center of the NFL universe for the next five weeks.

It's not that these Rams haven't been tested -- they have wins in Dallas and Jacksonville. But they're stepping up in class for the most high-profile Rams games since Mike Martz was the coach, Lovie Smith was the defensive coordinator and Georgia Frontiere was the team's owner. It's been a while.

The Rams score in bunches against sagging teams, embarrassing the Cardinals, Giants and Texans over the last three games by a combined score of 117-24. The defense, led by a burgeoning Defensive Player of the Year campaign from Aaron Donald and a ballhawking secondary, is getting that Wade Phillips boost. Now it's time to find out if this is just a great regular-season story or a team that could be playing in Minneapolis for a second time in February.

After a deeply unlucky regular season thus far, at least the Football Gods are showing mercy with the closing-stretch schedule in the NFC. The Rams' gauntlet is extreme but not atypical for this year's best teams. Consider these upcoming slates:

-- New Orleans Saints: The team's Week 12 showdown in Los Angeles -- which the NFL should absolutely flex to prime time (#FlexNOLA) -- starts a three-game stretch that includes games against the Panthers and Falcons. New Orleans has only a half-game lead over the the surging Panthers and two games left against Atlanta, meaning the NFC South is far from decided. As great as this reborn Saints defense has been, it hasn't been tested by a true offensive powerhouse since the Patriots in Week 2.

-- Seattle Seahawks: Over the next six weeks, the NFC's best team of the decade faces Atlanta, Philadelphia and the Rams at home while traveling to Jacksonville and Dallas. Following the season-ending ruptured Achilles suffered by cornerback Richard Sherman, no outcome for this Seahawks season would be truly surprising. Russell Wilson could carry them on the way to an MVP award, or they could slip right out of a deep NFC playoff picture because of this schedule.

-- Philadelphia Eagles: Will their season finale against the Cowboys even matter for seeding or the division title? Not if the Eagles prove to be road warriors with games in Dallas, Seattle and Los Angeles before that.

-- Minnesota Vikings: After hosting the Rams on Sunday, the Vikings face three consecutive road games against NFC teams in the playoff mix, including their Thanksgiving game in Detroit and trips to Atlanta and Carolina.

In short, this fascinating NFC season is just about to start, with Weeks 11-14 particularly crowded with conference-shifting matchups. You don't even have to wait for Thanksgiving...

https://www.si.com/nfl-power-rankings-2017

#5. Los Angeles Rams (7-2)

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-vikings-actually-nfls-biggest-surprise-051500496.html

#4. Los Angeles Rams (7-2)

The Rams’ offense is getting a lot of attention, and for obvious reasons. But did you know the Rams defense hasn’t given up more than 17 points since Oct. 1? Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was always a good bet to have a good first season with the Rams, it just took a little longer than expected.

http://www.nflcdn.com/news/story/0a...ankings-week-11-patriots-rise-cowboys-plummet

# 2 RAMS

Somebody tell the Rams they can lose now. Nobody seems to like that they're batting in the two-hole in these rankings. But they're the perfect Mark McLemore. Sorry, dated baseball reference to a player who was a nice No. 2 hitter for a while.

Ah, but so many Rams are sacrificing for their teammates, starting with the members of the offensive line. Oft-maligned in 2016, the group has been far improved in 2017. Andrew Whitworth was a brilliant free-agent signing (steal). The unit as a whole helped L.A. gain 6.7 yards per play against Houston on Sunday. That's quite a robust figure.

Even if the Rams did allow a few tackles for losses, most of those came on the final drive, with L.A. running out the clock into 99-man fronts. Thought it was time to spread the credit around.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...-vikings-battle-in-potential-playoff-preview/

#4 Rams

They continue to roll up big numbers on offense. That unit faces a major test at Minnesota this week.

https://www.ninersnation.com/2017/11/14/16647788/nfl-power-rankings-week-11-49ers-eagles

#3 - Los Angeles Rams (7-2)

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2017/11/14/nfl-power-rankings/861138001/

#5. Los Angeles Rams Look, we're right there with you. We can't understand how the Rams' offense has gone from incompetent to unstoppable. But is the reckoning upon them? Their next five games: at Vikings, vs. Saints, at Cardinals, vs. Eagles, at Seahawks.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/pag...-philadelphia-eagles-new-england-patriots-top

#7 Rams

Projected wins: 11.0. The Rams have scored at least 30 points in six games this season, the most in the NFL. The improvement on offense is the biggest reason they're now projected to win five more games than predicted in the preseason.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...re-does-every-team-stand-heading-into-week-11

#6. Los Angeles Rams

Sean McVay is the hottest play-caller in the NFL. Because of him, the Rams have to be in the discussion for having the most surgical offense in the sport—along with New England.

I'm amazed every week when I watch game film and see the creativity of the L.A. offense. On top of that, Jared Goff is making the throws he should. He's also making some big-time downfield throws. There are so many weapons for him to utilize that the Rams offense is nearly unstoppable.

Defensively, the Rams aren't always great, but they have great players. The L.A. defense can create chaos up front, and it can create turnovers. This fits right in with what the Rams want to do as a team. Do you want to get into a track meet with the Rams and try matching them point for point? I don't think anyone does.

We'll see just how good this Rams team is in the coming weeks. They'll play the Saints, Eagles and Vikings within the next month.

https://www.bleedinggreennation.com...gles-cowboys-saints-rams-vikings-steelers-cbs

#4 - Los Angeles Rams - Sean McVay’s Rams are averaging 32.9 points per game. That ranks first in the NFL.

Clearly, this rookie crop is playing very well. I mean, very, very well. Even down to some late rounders.

Question.

Is this the result of an outstanding job of talent evaluation by Snead and McVay?

Or...

Are they producing so highly because of tremendous coaching skills?

Or both?

Obviously, it’s both. But which is the bigger factor?

I can’t quite decide, honestly. Not used to seeing this issue regarding a Ram rookie crop. Lol.

Is it just me, or when the cameras pan to Wade during defensive sequences, he doesn’t seem to be calling the plays. My guess is that he’s in charge of the defensive scheme overall but perhaps he’s delegated playcalling to someone else.

Am I wrong, or who is the one actually doing it if I’m right?

This FF video may or may not be helpful for you guys in Fantasy leagues, but the first few minutes is Ram related, and....well. Judge for yourself.

Login to view embedded media View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V_DGogDtCM0

Amid talk of playoffs and division title, Rams insist their focus remains narrow


The Rams’ Mark Barron (26) is congratulated after intercepting a Texans pass during Sunday’s 33-7 victory at the Coliseum. The Rams play in Minnesota this week – the site of this season’s Super Bowl – but don’t expect them to be looking nealy that far ahead. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

By RICH HAMMOND | rhammond@scng.com | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: November 13, 2017 at 7:09 pm | UPDATED: November 13, 2017 at 7:11 pm

THOUSAND OAKS — Rams quarterback Jared Goff majored in sociology at Cal, and apparently the football schedule didn’t allow for any theater classes. Goff’s dramatic straight face needs a bit of work.

“We’ve got Minnesota next week, right?” Goff said. “I don’t know who we have after that.”

Well, after the Rams play the Vikings (7-2) on Sunday, they face New Orleans (7-2). Then it’s Philadelphia (8-1) two weeks later. They face another current division leader, Tennessee, on Christmas Eve.

“Do we?” Goff said, before he finally cracked and acknowledged that, yes, he is aware of the schedule. These are fun times for the Rams, who are 7-2, atop the NFC West and on a four-game winning streak, but now they enter the meat of their schedule with a chance to define how they will be remembered.

“It’s a good challenge for us to see where we are as a team,” running back Todd Gurley said after the Rams beat Houston on Sunday. “We want to be in the playoffs and right now, if we keep doing what we’re doing, we will. These teams are going to be in the playoffs as well, so it’s a great challenge for us.”

The simple math looks good for the Rams. Arizona (4-5) and San Francisco (1-9) also are on the December schedule, so victories in those games, and one win in a quintet of games against Minnesota, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Seattle and Tennessee would get the Rams to 10-6.

In the past six seasons, 63 of 67 teams that finished with a 10-6 record or better have made the playoffs. No 11-5 team has missed the playoffs since New England in 2008, through a tiebreaker.

So even if the Rams go 4-4 the rest of the way, they’re seemingly in line for their first playoff appearance since 2004. The more relevant question, at least at this point, might be whether the Rams will limp into the playoffs or whether they will finish strong and stamp themselves as Super Bowl contenders.

Good luck getting any comment on that. Rams coach Sean McVay barely flinched Monday when reminded that the Rams will play Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, the site of this season’s Super Bowl.

“If we don’t get to our eighth win, then nothing else matters,” McVay said in his news conference at Cal Lutheran. “You kind of speak something into existence when you talk about it so often. You almost really do put blinders on, because of what a competitive, tough league this is, and how humbling.

“Certainly you have an awareness of what is going on. That’s not to say you don’t know and pay attention to the other teams in this league, but all that really matters to us is, we’re focused on Minnesota and how, against a really good football team, how we can find a way to get to 8-2.”

That won’t be easy. Improbably, the Vikings are atop the NFC North, even though they’ve suffered season-ending injuries to quarterback Sam Bradford and highly touted rookie running back Dalvin Cook.

A stifling defense has carried Minnesota to five consecutive victories. The Vikings allow 3.4 yards per rushing attempt (tied for second-fewest in the NFL this season) and 6.5 yards per pass attempt (tied for fourth-fewest). Minnesota has yet to allow more than 30 points in a game this season,

Former Rams quarterback Case Keenum has guided a steady Vikings offense, and last week against Washington, Keenum threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns.

In a bit of understandable gamesmanship, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has yet to announce whether he will start Keenum or Teddy Bridgewater, who hasn’t appeared in a game since the end of the 2015 season because of a devastating knee injury.

“I think he’s a huge reason why they’ve been so productive offensively,” McVay said of Keenum. “Whether it’s him or Teddy, you know you’re going to be facing a very good quarterback, and that offense is playing really well behind (offensive coordinator Pat) Shurmur’s leadership”

INJURY REPORT
McVay said the Rams remained in “good shape,” in terms of injuries, after Sunday’s victory over Houston. Offensive lineman Rodger Saffold left the game in the second half with a sprained ankle, but McVay said Saffold is “going to be OK.”

Linebacker Robert Quinn, who missed the game because of an undisclosed illness, is expected to return to practice Wednesday (after Tuesday’s normal off day), but McVay said Quinn could be limited then and that he remains uncertain about Quinn’s availability for the Minnesota game.

[www.ocregister.com]

Bonsignore: Rams put the NFL on notice with one play


Robert Woods’s 94-yard touchdown reception was significant on many levels in addition to spearheading the Rams’ 33-7 vistory over Houston on Sunday at the Coliseum. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)

y VINCENT BONSIGNORE | vbonsignore@scng.com | Daily News
PUBLISHED: November 13, 2017 at 7:54 am | UPDATED: November 13, 2017 at 5:21 pm

As if the Rams weren’t becoming a big enough problem for the NFL, over the past few weeks they’ve added an important and scary weapon.

The Rams, it seems, can score from anywhere on the field.

Last week it was Sammy Watkins and Jared Goff waylaying the Giants on a 67-yard touchdown pass, their first hook-up on a long ball after weeks of trying.

Later on, it was Robert Woods taking a screen pass on third-and-33 to the house for a 52-yard touchdown.

All of which was merely a prelude to what happened Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Leading 9-7 early in the third quarter against a Houston defense that, frankly, was having its way against Goff and the Rams, and backed up at their own 6-yard line, the assumption was the Rams would play it safe and try to buy themselves some breathing room with a few safe run plays.

“Obviously you’re always looking to score, but at the very least you want to get a couple of first times for your punt team and turn the field back over,” Rams center John Sullivan said.

Rams head coach Sean McVay had other ideas. The Texans were sticking with the same first-half plan of loading the line of scrimmage with defenders, and it offered McVay the chance to cash in on the big payday he anticipated after some coy first-half play-calling.

“Look, I’m not going to pretend to understand what plays Sean was setting up in the first half for the second,” Sullivan said with a sly smile. “But I know based on how they were playing, they were running linebackers through and changing their techniques at the snap. They wouldn’t play us straight up and in that way they were doing a good job of shutting down the run. But when you commit as many guys as they did to the box, eventually it burns you.”

That became clear when, on second-and-8, Jared Goff went to hand off to Todd Gurley to the left, the same side of the line of scrimmage the Rams had run Gurley a handful of occasions in the first half. As suspected, the Texans defense flowed in that direction.

Only for Goff pull the ball back and drop back to pass.

Woods, lined up to the far right, ran a post pattern and from the right slot Cooper Kupp ran alongside him. As Woods and Kupp sprinted downfield, three Houston defenders converged on them in coverage.

Kupp eventually broke to the right after 15 yards, dragging his defender with him and forcing the safety to commit to him as well.

That left Woods, who continued running up field, in one-on-one coverage. It was a mismatch of epic proportions, and as Woods turned on the burners he easily eluded his defender. Goff, operating from a safe pocket after the play-action pass, double-cocked and heaved the ball 55 yards in the air to a wide-open Woods. The former USC star easily gathered it in and sprinted untouched to the end zone for a back-breaking 94-yard touchdown.

Just like that, the Rams led 16-7 on their way to a 33-7 blowout.

“It was crazy. Like I said, it was – they sent the ‘WILL’ (weak inside linebacker), they sent the corner and we picked it up, let (QB Jared) Goff get some space, do what he do and Rob do what he do,” Gurley said. “Ran right past the guy and go 94 yards. It doesn’t get much better than that for you to start right there inside (your end zone) and be able to go and execute.”

And in the process, they put something else out there on film.

Not only to plant a seed for future opponents, but also to add to their already growing self-confidence.

It’s the ability to deliver knockout punches from anywhere on the field.

And the peace of mind that when rhythm is hard to come by or running lanes aren’t easily available, they can strike quickly and powerfully with the big play.

The Rams have been successful mounting long scoring drives this year. It sure makes things easier when they can do it in one play sometimes.

“Anytime that you’re able to create some of the explosives that we did, I think it’s very, very helpful,” McVay said. “It’s too hard in this league to go 12 and 15 plays all the time against some of these defenses. So, to be able to get some of those chunk plays that alleviate the stress on having to just kind of having to go four and five (yards) all the way down the field was critical, and when you’ve got explosive playmakers like we do, it was big.”

The Rams came into Sunday with 40 plays of 20 yards or more – second in the NFL to the New Orleans Saints.

In addition to Woods’ 94-yard score, Gurley had a 34-yard run and a 43-yard pass reception and Watkins had a 24-yard catch-and-run.

More importantly, the Goff-to-Woods hook-up took a bite out of the Texans’ fight while igniting the Rams.

They went on to score 21 points in the third quarter to bust open a close game.

“It was fun. It was a lot of fun,” Goff said. “When it starts rolling like that, we start getting turnovers. Crowd gets into it, we start hitting big plays. We start hitting big plays, we score on the play after the turnover, that’s when you really starting getting the momentum you want. And I thought Sean (McVay) did a great job handling that with the play calls and just giving us stuff to succeed in the second half, especially just putting us in good spots.

“In his own way, his own self-evaluation, he’s done a great job of that all year just continuing to put us in great spots and I thought he did that all day.”

As if the Rams weren’t scary enough.

[www.ocregister.com]