Hard to complain about much this season as it was far better than anyone anticipated but I think I real discussion needs to be had about the future of Kupp.

He was clearly not the same player this year as in years past and the Rams need to figure out whether he will ever be that guy again. If they don't think so than a big need in the off season becomes WR.

It's hard to not believe this offense would be significantly better and not have had the red zone struggles like tonight if Kupp is his old self or there was someone else that is a legitimate threat out there opposite Puka.

1. Tough way to end a great run.

2. Not much to analyze here. The loss comes down to two things...

3. First... defense took too long to get into the game. Allowing three consecutive TD drives to start the game usually means a blowout loss.

4. Second... Red Zone offense failures were the difference. Sean McVay needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with some new twists for those 10 yard field scenarios. Can't just rely on Cooper Kupp to get open every time.

5. Yes, there was a very bad non-call on the Rams' final drive. Because of the situation (the Rams should have had a first down inside the Lions' 30), it will be amplified. We shouldn't have needed that call, though, so I'll only put so much blame there.

6. So let's talk good things... my co-offensive players of the game are Matthew Staford and Puka Nacua.

7. Stafford was a warrior. He made amazing throws all night, took a pounding, and shed some blood. Lions fans know that they are fortunate he didn't get one more opportunity to win the game.

8. Nacua was amazing. How do you finish a record setting season? By breaking the rookie record for receiving yards in a playoff game, of course. He's going to be a fan favorite for a long time.

9. You do have to give the defensive coaching staff and players credit for turning things around in the second half. By stopping the first down runs and bringing an extra man to pressure Goff, they held the Lions to 3 points in the second half.

10. My defensive player of the game is Ernest Jones, who was able to consistently pressure Jared Goff. He finished with 9 tackles and 2 sacks.

11. The Rams MUST figure out how not to waste time outs. Its one thing when it happens in the first half to keep key drives going but, in the second half, time outs are precious. Had the Rams not wasted two of their second half allotment, the defense would have had one more opportunity to give Stafford the ball back.

12. I'm happy for the Lions, the city of Detroit, Jared Goff, and even Josh Reynolds. Certainly, I'll be pulling for them to keep the hated 49ers from reaching the Super Bowl.

13. I'm not going to go too deeply into the offseason plan in this list (I'll do an offseason to-do list soon), but I do think this game revealed some pretty obvious areas that need improvement.

14. First, we need another pass rusher. No big surprise there. Aaron Donald gets double and triple teamed on every play, in part, because the Rams don't have enough guys to make opposing teams pay for doing so. Kobie Turner and Byron Young will continue to improve, but if you add another top EDGE to that mix (and there are several who are likely to hit free agency), that could make a big difference.

15. Second, we need more talent at the cornerback position. That could prove to be our first round target.

16. I'm sure there's a lot of disappointment in the Rams' locker room but, when the smoke clears, I have to believe there is a lot of optimism for the future.

17. How you go out matters. The Cowboys were the No. 2 seed and they have to go into the offseason after getting blown out in their own house. The Dolphins will look back on a late season collapse and a non-competitive finish. The Browns thought they had a top defense, and got shredded by a rookie QB. We'll look back on a disappointing loss, but nobody humbled us in the last 9 games we played.

18. Stafford was not able to take his old team down, but he definitely reminded the Lions' faithful how good he is and how tough he is.

19. And so, another season ends. Most of us have been following the team for decades, and only two years ended without disappointment. Still, this one feels... hopeful. After a few days to get over this outcome, I'm going to be fired up for what could be a very enjoyable offseason.

20. We'll be back!!!

I have seen some bullshit.... but that was straight robbery by the refs.

So many calls that were purposely not made to insure that we didn't win. Blatant non-calls. FUCKING BLATANT!

This is professional wrestling...

Fuck off. Everyone with a brain and eyesight saw the that shit. I can see missing 1 or 2 calls in a game... but the the multitude of plays that the refs pretended and completely ignored the rules was something that I've never seen before. There is no way that anyone can say otherwise. That was beyond an ass rape by the officials and the league.

Watch how the media... aka the NFL Damage Control Department... will completely pretend that there was nothing to see here. The NFL believes that it's customers are idiots and stupid.

I cannot believe what I just saw. What a joke. This one has me questioning my addiction to the NFL. It's clearly become the land of make believe.

Fake As Fuck.

Let’s be respectful to each other folks. Celebrate and vent with class my Rams brothers.

I thought the no calls in the second half were shady. I can appreciate letting them play a bit more in the post season but a couple of those (roughing on Stafford and holding Nacua) were clearly home town BS.

But as a whole, our D wasn’t good enough to overcome that horrific first half.

For anyone who cares, Stafford outplayed Goff, Nacua outplayed Amon-Rah. Our offensive guys were better. No surprise there.

The Lions won in the trenches. Period.

We’re just a few pieces away from the mountain top again. I cannot fucking wait for next season.

The Rams almost got it done tonight. I love this team. Fuck the rest.

Every season is different. This one was never going to be a deep playoff run and we knew that. But wanted to say I appreciate how you outperformed expectations and laid the groundwork for the future. Cheers boys.

Just asking for Eminem

I've often wondered if this were an authentic autograph on my jersey..

What’s Cookin’ today besides our white hot Rams!

I’m going with Brats today. Will do a grilled potato salad for a side.

I wanted something I can have ready by game time, but would stay ready until half time.

Wild Card Sunday - January 14, 2024

(6) Los Angeles Rams at (3) Detroit Lions 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC

———

Game Day Thread

The GDT is a live thread tradition here at ROD.

While we all get fired up watching the game, please remember our core principles; we always show respect for our team and each other.

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 each other.

This is the core rule of the GDT. Moderators are tasked to issue thread bans, at a minimum, to maintain this standard.

This is our team. Win or lose. Good days and bad. We are here for FUN, not to be dragged down.

A more loosely moderated atmosphere can be found in the chat room.

Go Rams!

———

ROD Chat Room;

Game Day Room

.

Wild Card Sunday January 14, 2024, 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX

(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Dallas Cowboys

ROD Sportsbook

Wild Card Monday January 15, 2024, 4:30 ET on CBS

(7) Pittsburgh Steelers at (2) Buffalo Bills

ROD Sportsbook

Checks out...

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/AtgwySdKArY?si=97WLniiEegd5oBm_

Posted a few tweets and clips about it but here's the full interview for those that wish to watch.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1egECU0UhN8&ab_channel=NFL

Can’t stop laughing at this.

..and I suspect it might end earlier than I want but I'm enjoying it so much that I know even if this isn't consummated now, it probably will be later. Nothing but hope and promise in a fledgling opportunity.

It was a similar feeling in 17 when Sean first turned the organization around. I suspect the results will be similar as well. Unlike the GSOT, this organization reloaded on the fly and adapted where Martz could not.

The ingenuity utilized by the expanded running game and Morris' development of multiple defensive approaches will propel the team long after the season is over. The Rams now have a new core to build on with excellent first and second year players already performing better than most seasoned vets. Some may point to the ages of AD, Stafford, and Kupp...but even 85% of those three is better than 90% of the league if they deteriorate that much (they haven't). What's more, the Rams have jettisoned most of their bad contracts and set for a continuation of the foundation. The best part? Our team will be quite relevant this offseason (Unlike the previous one).

Tomorrow night will be exciting. Win or lose, this team won me over. I think of how Micah Parsons gets bent when his team gets criticized but you never see that in Horns. These guys are too preoccupied with "Urgent Enjoyment" to fall into victim mode like Dan Campbell did when they lost to Dallas. At 3-6, they hoisted their collective sacks and found consistency in their daily effort. While every team preaches these concepts, this team embodies them better than I've ever witnessed.

Where some focus on the event tomorrow (as we hope the team does), I'm celebrating the regenesis of the most enjoyable era of Rams football.

Cheers

This is literally the worst time kick-off for me. 1.15 am on a Monday morning sucks when I have clients.

A couple of hours earlier and I stay up, a couple of hours later and I'd go to bed and get up.

Having said all that, it beats being a Seattle fan, with the only concern being what to have for dinner.

Will do what I can to bring back a W and survive to play another game.

2023 season been a Heck of a ride so far. We are all blessed to be a supporter of this team, this franchise.

Appreciate the forum to share thoughts like this.

Now lets go do this.

Go Rams....8821

Wild Card Saturday January 13, 2024, 8:15 p.m. ET on Peacock

(6) Miami Dolphins at (3) Kansas City Chiefs

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook

Wild Card Saturday January 13, 2024, 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC

(5) Cleveland Browns at (4) Houston Texans

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook

Jared Mayo the new Patriot coach is 1 month younger than McVay’s age when he got hired. Amazingly McVay is now the fourth longest tenured coach in the current NFL trailing only Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh and Andy Reid. The NFL is definitely the Not For Long League.

Found on a FB Fan page. (Credit: L.A. Ram Page)

2023 NFL All-Pro Team Roster

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated 12:00 PM EST, January 12, 2024

The Associated Press 2023 NFL All-Pro team selected by a national panel of 50 media members:

OFFENSE​

Quarterback — Lamar Jackson, Baltimore

Running Back — Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco

Fullback — Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco

Tight End — George Kittle, San Francisco

Wide Receivers — Tyreek Hill, Miami; CeeDee Lamb, Dallas; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit

Left Tackle — Trent Williams, San Francisco

Left Guard — Joe Thuney, Kansas City

Center — Jason Kelce, Philadelphia

Right Guard — Zack Martin, Dallas

Right Tackle — Penei Sewell, Detroit

DEFENSE​

Edge Rushers — Myles Garrett, Cleveland; T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh

Interior Linemen — Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Chris Jones, Kansas City

Linebackers — Fred Warner, San Francisco; Roquan Smith, Baltimore; Quincy Williams; New York Jets

Cornerbacks — DaRon Bland, Dallas; Sauce Gardner, New York Jets

Slot cornerback — Trent McDuffie, Kansas City

Safeties — Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore; Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay

SPECIAL TEAMS​

Placekicker — Brandon Aubrey, Dallas

Punter — AJ Cole, Las Vegas

Kick Returner — Keisean Nixon, Green Bay

Punt Returner — Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans

Special Teamer — Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh

Long Snapper — Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville

___​

SECOND TEAM​

OFFENSE​

Quarterback — Dak Prescott, Dallas

Running Back — Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Fullback — Patrick Ricard, Baltimore

Tight End — Sam LaPorta, Detroit

Wide Receivers — A.J. Brown,
Philadelphia; Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams; (asterisk)Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco; (asterisk)Mike Evans; Tampa Bay

Left Tackle — Tyron Smith, Dallas

Left Guard — Tyler Smith, Dallas

Center — Frank Ragnow, Detroit

Right Guard — Chris Lidstrom, Atlanta

Right Tackle — Lane Johnson, Philadelphia

DEFENSE​

Edge Rushers — Micah Parsons, Dallas; Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas

Interior Linemen — Justin Madubuike, Baltimore; Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Linebackers — Demario Davis, New Orleans; Bobby Wagner, Seattle; Patrick Queen, Baltimore

Cornerbacks — Jaylon Johnson, Chicago; Charvarius Ward, San Francisco

Slot cornerback — Taron Johnson, Buffalo

Safeties — Jessie Bates III, Atlanta; Justin Simmons, Denver

SPECIAL TEAMS​

Placekicker — Jake Elliott, Philadelphia

Punter — Bryan Anger, Dallas

Kick Returner — Marvin Mims, Denver

Punt Returner — Derius Davis, Los Angeles Chargers

Special Teamer — Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit

Long Snapper — Andrew DePaola, Minnesota

___​

(asterisk)-tied for second-team spot

For all my starry-eyed optimism as a fan, I’m actually a realist. I know that the likelihood of the Rams winning three consecutive road games against the NFC’s best to make it the Super Bowl is remote. I can accept that, while still running scenarios in my head that get them to Las Vegas on February 11.

I’m also really looking forward to this offseason. Regardless of the outcome this weekend and beyond, the arrow is pointed upwards, and there are so many reasons to hope for and expect a run in 2024.

I’m not ready to talk about free agency, the draft and next year, though, for a pretty simple reason.

I don’t want this year to end.

Not yet.

I’m just having too much fun. I want more times to enjoy the infectious enthusiasm and joy for the game exhibited by guys like Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Ernest Jones, just to name a few. I want to watch Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald further their legacies. I want the anticipation and excitement of playoff football for more than one fleeting weekend.

I want more!

Let’s keep this thing going!!!