20 Random Wild Card Domination Thoughts

[AvengerRam]

1. That was a joy to watch.

2. The Rams set the tone early on by stuffing the run, pressuring Kyler Murray, and establishing the run. From there, it was just a matter of getting a lead and keeping the foot on the gas.

3. Best sequence... Nick Scott lays the wood to break up (great challenge Sean!) the Cardinals first positive offensive play, leading to 3rd and 7 inside the five. Murray makes the big mistake, and David Long gets a play he'll tell his grandchildren about. It was pretty much over at that point.

4. In another thread, I emphasized the need and opportunity to establish the run. Mission accomplished. The Rams featured the run all night and finished with 140 rushing yards.

5. The running game's success allowed Matthew Stafford to have an easy night.

6. If you bet on Stafford having only 17 pass attempts in a win, you won a lot of money.

7. If you also bet on Stafford outrushing Murray by 16 yards, you probably have enough money to retire.

8. Think back to week 4. Little did we know...

9. That, come January, we'd win a playoff game with the help of a TD (and a 40 yard pass completion) by Odell Beckham, Jr....

10. That we'd have the benefit of a sack and 3 TFL from Von Miller...

11. And that, against all odds, Cam Akers would not only play, but would have 95 yards from scrimmage in the game.

12. Akers has moved from "inspirational story" to "key player" in two short weeks.

13. The defense was outstanding. The front 7 ensured that the depleted defensive backfield was not challenged all night.

14. Aaron Donald was his dominant self, and we've talked a lot about Greg Gaines, but how about how A'Shawn Robinson has come along? Seven tackles tonight to help stuff the run game.

15. Glad that Budda Baker did not suffer a neck injury (reportedly a concussion, but he has feeling and movement in his extremities).

16. These teams really don't like each other. There will probably be some carry over next year, but we really have their number right now.

17. Trip to Tampa comes next, and another Tom Brady match-up.

18. Rushing yards will be tougher to come by against a tough Buccaneers front 7, but the Rams can't totally abandon the run.

19. One negative tonight was the number of holding penalties (eliminating some productive plays). Got to clean that up.

20. Eight teams remain. Great to be one of them!

 

[AvengerRam]

*21. Nothing wrong with the home crowd tonight!

 

[Marc Spector]

Really cant stress how critical it is that Staff wasnt pressing for time and holding on to the ball. I think McVay stressed the importance of taking it a play at a time

 

[thirteen28]

6. If you bet on Stafford having only 17 pass attempts in a win, you won a lot of money.

That part is just shocking ... and awesome. The fact that he only needed to put in the air 17 times because of the ground game portends good things going forward. Yes, the Bucs will be tougher to run on, but they'll have to prepare for both Sony and Cam, and if they put too much emphasis on stopping those guys ... Stafford will feast.

Yes, you were right - the road to the Super Bowl is on the ground, and tonight was a good first leg of the journey.

 

[AvengerRam]

The Cardinals will have a tough time recovering from this one. As they enter the final year of Kyler Murray's rookie contract, look at their list of key UFAs:

James Conner
Chase Edmunds
A.J. Green
Christian Kirk
Max Garcia
Chandler Jones
Zach Ertz
Andy Lee

 

[Ramlock]

The Cardinals will have a tough time recovering from this one.

Complete failure.

Kyler melted down, as I‘ve always felt he would. He’s limited.

 

[OntarioRam]

Excellent performance!

OBJ rebounded incredibly from a so-so showing against the 49ers. I continue to be impressed, and happily surprised, at how much of a weapon he is at the goaline in the red zone. How many of his TDs have came in that situation? He is great at contested catches.

This was arguably Stafford's best performance as a Ram. Every decision was the right one. No lapses in judgement. He took off and used his legs when he had to, got down early to avoid injury, took what the defence gave him, picked his spots deep, didn't turn the ball over, and was accurate and explosive. A++. If Stafford can be this good going forward, the Rams will be tough to beat. The Rams would be well served to keep giving him a strong running game, to make this type of performance more attainable. Speaking of which...

Both running backs were incredible. But for penalties, and a dropped pass by the sideline for a huge gain, Akers would have went well over 100 yards. He is a marvel. He is so quick, strong, and explosive. I'm frankly shocked he has come back to be this effective and this fast. Knock on wood he stays healthy because Cam is a weapon and he and Michel form an incredible 1-2 punch.

Kupp was used beautifully as a decoy most of the night. And yet, he still posted a TD and 61 yards. Just another day at the office for the NFL's best WR.

I've been hard on him, but Sean McVay coached a nearly perfect game (at times, I think his empty sets were ill timed, but that's nit picking). Is he finally learning? Please God, McVay, serve me up the humble pie and crow I am so desperate to eat.

The defence was stout. We got lucky early on defence, in my opinion, with Kyler Murray missing a few open deep shots while our secondary looked confused... and then completely took over. The Cardinals had no answer for the pass rush. Great job by the front 7. Howard looks so athletic at LB. Burgess looked good when pressed into action. David Long Jr. played well, his egregious dropped interception notwithstanding. Full credit to this defensive unit, and Morris, who called a good game.

Hopefully, Whitworth is healthy. He got rolled up on pretty good on his first snap, after making a monster block to help spring Michel for a 30 yard game. He played lots of the game thereafter, but on a few plays did not look himself, and ultimately Noteboom came in to relieve him. Whether that is because Whit could not go, or because the score was favourable and the Rams wanted to conserve Whitworth, who knows.

This special teams unit has really come alive. Gay is money. Powell is a revelation. The penalties have mostly stopped. The punting has improved. The coverage units are much better. This much maligned group has slowly transitioned itself into a net positive, and it is making all the difference.

I am very glad to hear Baker has seemingly avoided serious injury, and only has a concussion. Scary moment on the field there.

What is crazy to think about is that this was not a very clean performance. Penalties repeatedly negated big plays. Uncharacteristic drops at times prevented the chains from moving. We'll need to clean that up to beat a very good Tampa Bay squad with the best, most savvy pllayoff QB of all time. But I think the Rams actually match up quite well vs. the Bucs, as far as the strengths and weaknesses of the two respective teams are concerned. And for all of our injuries, the Bucs seem just as beat up, so I do expect a victory, particularly if Fournette cannot play. But it is sure to be a tight game, regardless of who comes out on top. On to Tampa Bay! GO RAMS!!!

 

[badnews]

*21. Nothing wrong with the home crowd tonight!

Totally.
Both the team and the crowd responded in the best way possible....

What a game.

 

[madrid311]

here come the 9ers.......a little foreshadowing there.

 

[AvengerRam]

here come the 9ers.......a little foreshadowing there.

Nah. Given how beaten up they are, they're going to lose to Green Bay by 10+ points.

 

[AvengerRam]

Complete failure.

Kyler melted down, as I‘ve always felt he would. He’s limited.

I've said for a couple of years that he's among the most overrated players in the league. Not that he's bad... he's just not the elite/MVP type of player that the talking heads want to make him out to be.

 

[Tano]

Complete failure.

Kyler melted down, as I‘ve always felt he would. He’s limited.

So true

 

[Flint]

Really cant stress how critical it is that Staff wasnt pressing for time and holding on to the ball. I think McVay stressed the importance of taking it a play at a time

Agreed, Stafford’s not a bad athlete, just get out of there and get what you can.

 

[Tano]

I've said for a couple of years that he's among the most overrated players in the league. Not that he's bad... he's just not the elite/MVP type of player that the talking heads want to make him out to be.

Can't agree more

 

[Faceplant]

I look forward to these threads after every game, win or loss. Another great job @AvengerRam. Go RAMS!!!

 

[Ellard80]

I always enjoy the small chunk of posters that are very quiet when we win - but you will see them out in full force at the next loss.

 

[Merlin]

I always enjoy the small chunk of posters that are very quiet when we win - but you will see them out in full force at the next loss.

There is that chance the Rams win out and shut them up for the offseason.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I love that we didn't force it to Kupp. A players main job is to have a positive affect on the game. The way that Kupp, McVay and Stafford all adjusted to Coop being a major focus of Vance Joseph and the D became an advantage, well played and very mature

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

The Cardinals will have a tough time recovering from this one. As they enter the final year of Kyler Murray's rookie contract, look at their list of key UFAs:

James Conner
Chase Edmunds
A.J. Green
Christian Kirk
Max Garcia
Chandler Jones
Zach Ertz
Andy Lee

That depends on what their cap looks like.

I always enjoy the small chunk of posters that are very quiet when we win - but you will see them out in full force at the next loss.

I tend to avoid the forums after a loss. I’m already disappointed. I don’t need to add to it.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I've said for a couple of years that he's among the most overrated players in the league. Not that he's bad... he's just not the elite/MVP type of player that the talking heads want to make him out to be.

Imo it’s only his height that holds him back. He’s an accurate passer.

But to your point, the pregame hype from Riddick was absurd. At one point he said Kyler Murray does things that we have never seen before from an NFL QB.
I guess he doesn’t remember Randall Cunningham, Mike Vick, or even RGIII in his first season.
I used to like Riddick for his draft coverage but he’s gotten to be too much of a hype man now.

Riddick’s pregame prediction that JJ Watt was going to go off in this game was laughable too. JJ hasn’t been his dominant self for five years or more.