How to prevent a repeat of Atlanta come January 12

[badnews]

Here is the one problem the Rams have to deal with. During the season the Rams defense gave up 32 points per game against teams currently in the playoffs. That will not win them many games in the playoffs.

Seems like that would be true for KC and NO too, or damn close.
Interestingly enough, the Saints, Chiefs and Rams are the 3 teams most likely to win it all according to Vegas.

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

Here is the one problem the Rams have to deal with. During the season the Rams defense gave up 32 points per game against teams currently in the playoffs. That will not win them many games in the playoffs.

Only the Bears defense has any real chance of slowing us down. We can put up 35 points a game easily, even against good teams.

 

[hotanez]

On Offense score TDs in the red zone and don't abandon the run.
On Defense it's really simple TACKLE! Don't go for the big hit or strip the ball first wrap the fuck up and bring the player down.

Do these things and win the turnover battle and we advance.

 

[bomebadeeda]

Like Faulk mentioned earlier in the thread. Take what the defense gives you. The last 2 weeks we have been much more methodical on offense. You see more 10-12 play drives. And everyone wants to know "where the quick strike offense" is? That is what everyone learned about the Detroit (Chicago, Eagles....) game. We were not patient enough to take a 5 yard play when it was there. We wanted a 20 yd. play and we forced the issue but the other teams (Chicago and Philly.....not Detroit...) were good enough and had the defensive scheme that slowed our offense to a crawl. And that made us even more determined to get the big play....(and set us up to fail.....). But the last 2 weeks, we have taken the 6 yard dig route. The 5 yd check down. The 5 yd slant. I think McVay sees the answer. Only we can stop ourselves by making foolish decisions. If we are patient, we can move the ball on anyone. And once we control the clock, they (our opponent at the time...) will have to adjust to us....and that was where you saw the 39 yd Woods TD.

So, we be patient. We be physical. And we take what the defense gives us...….until they adjust......

 

[Raptorman]

So far the team that has done the best against playoff teams. The Saints. 18.75 ppg during the season. Bears are 20.3 ppg.

 

[MTRamsFan]

Simple formula in my mind. Play fast and physical, limit mistakes, take care of the football, and and don't try to do too much in terms of covering for the guy next to you.

 

[Rainram]

Here is the one problem the Rams have to deal with. During the season the Rams defense gave up 32 points per game against teams currently in the playoffs. That will not win them many games in the playoffs.

So far the team that has done the best against playoff teams. The Saints. 18.75 ppg during the season. Bears are 20.3 ppg.

Let me preface by saying I’m well aware of our defense’s weaknesses (and its strengths). But to your point…

I think context matters. I mean…hey…the Saints only gave up an average of 19.5 points against teams in the playoffs. But does it matter that they only played 4 playoff teams, while we played almost double that many games against teams in the playoffs? What about the teams themselves…I mean among our teams were the Chiefs and Chargers…while they face the Ravens, and Wentz-injured Eagles and Cowboys…does that count? Does it count that our best CB was out half the season?

What about offenses? Does it count that the Bears defense has only played 3 offenses all year that ranked in the top 1/3 in the league?

How about when and where the games were played?

A lot of context to be had, and that goes for all teams, even my Rams.


With the playoffs here I like looking at a lot of different things…but not necessarily stats over the past 17 weeks which shouldn’t be painted with a broad brush. Going forward I like to assess coaching, experience, momentum, player and position group matchups, player health, home field advantage, et. al.

 

[1maGoh]

Here is the one problem the Rams have to deal with. During the season the Rams defense gave up 32 points per game against teams currently in the playoffs. That will not win them many games in the playoffs.

How many points did we put up on average against playoff teams? I think that might clear up your perception a bit . Or mine.

 

[1maGoh]

How many points did we put up on average against playoff teams? I think that might clear up your perception a bit . Or mine.

31.2

Answered my own question. Sorry. I think we'll be ok.

Improved defense due to getting Talib back, bringing in Fowler, and possibly Barron playing like an adult.

Improved offense against the Bears because we won't let them do the same crap to us twice (even if we lose I bet we put up more than 6 points).

I think we'll be alright.

 

[RamBall]

The #1 way to avoid last years playoff disappointment is to make sure vinobitch isn't the referee. After that everything will fall right into place.

So who's up to the challenge?

 

[kurtfaulk]

Like Faulk mentioned earlier in the thread. Take what the defense gives you. The last 2 weeks we have been much more methodical on offense. You see more 10-12 play drives. And everyone wants to know "where the quick strike offense" is? That is what everyone learned about the Detroit (Chicago, Eagles....) game. We were not patient enough to take a 5 yard play when it was there. We wanted a 20 yd. play and we forced the issue but the other teams (Chicago and Philly.....not Detroit...) were good enough and had the defensive scheme that slowed our offense to a crawl. And that made us even more determined to get the big play....(and set us up to fail.....). But the last 2 weeks, we have taken the 6 yard dig route. The 5 yd check down. The 5 yd slant. I think McVay sees the answer. Only we can stop ourselves by making foolish decisions. If we are patient, we can move the ball on anyone. And once we control the clock, they (our opponent at the time...) will have to adjust to us....and that was where you saw the 39 yd Woods TD.

So, we be patient. We be physical. And we take what the defense gives us...….until they adjust......

the reprogramming of goff has been complete. i was pretty down after the eagles loss. then during the week after the game i saw the goff day video. it made me feel so much better.

i couldn't understand how the offense looked so bad. that video showed players underneath getting open but goff was always looking for the big play downfield. a problem that was correctable, just a change in attitude from goff. then thinking back to the last quarter against the eagles the rams looked more like themselves and that's because goff just kept taking the underneath stuff. and if not for a couple of bonehead plays by players not going out of bounds the rams probably win that eagles game.

so heading into the cards game i felt very confident that goff would take what the defense gives him and the rams would start rolling again. and they have been virtually unstoppable in the last two games.

so i'm very confident heading into the playoffs.

.

 

[Corbin]

Here is the one problem the Rams have to deal with. During the season the Rams defense gave up 32 points per game against teams currently in the playoffs. That will not win them many games in the playoffs.

Curious on what your thoughts are of Kirk Cousins and your season?

I don't look at him as a bust or the fact they gave him that contract. The fact is he played pretty well and there was alot of other issues at hand. Your thoughts?

 

[MrRiceGuyRJ]

To add (and reiterate some of the previous mentioned):
1.) Don't F*** It Up
1a) No bone head fumbles/turnovers
1b) Don't force the ball. Make the proper reads and play to what the defense gives us
1c) Wrap up and take the ball carriers down. No grabbing hips!
1d) Play to our talents (i.e. Don't abandon the run game, jet sweet, play action and/or other things that got us here)
1e) Win each catch
1f) Win in the trenches

Sounds like a wish-list, but I think we've proven we can play each of these aspects well. Just depends on if we can put it all together in all phases of the game for a full game

 

[HE WITH HORNS]

So far the team that has done the best against playoff teams. The Saints. 18.75 ppg during the season. Bears are 20.3 ppg.

We scored 35 against the Saints and 50+ against the Chiefs.

 

[IE Rams]

I just heard on PMS that the Rams are undefeated when Gurley has 17 or more touches. Just give him the damn ball and sit back and watch what happens!

 

[Raptorman]

How many points did we put up on average against playoff teams? I think that might clear up your perception a bit . Or mine.

To put this in perspective. Only one team that gave up more than 24 ppg in the regular season ever won a Super Bowl. And that was the 2011 Giants. So the Rams have a chance to make history. The average ppg differential, in scoring more points than giving up for Super Bowl winners is 10.2 ppg. Only one team has been in the negative, The 2011 Giants. The 3 teams with the smallest point differential. The 2011 Giants at -.4, the 2007 Giants at 1.4 and the 2012 Ravens at 3.4. So for the Rams to win the Super Bowl, they have their work cut out for them.


FWIW, I don't think the Saints, Chiefs or Patriots will win the Super Bowl either. Right now if I had to bet it would be the Bears.

 

[Raptorman]

Curious on what your thoughts are of Kirk Cousins and your season?

I don't look at him as a bust or the fact they gave him that contract. The fact is he played pretty well and there was alot of other issues at hand. Your thoughts?

Kirk didn't win or lose all those games by himself. Fact is, the defense gave up 6 more ppg this year over last. While it doesn't sound like much, it's a huge jump. Meanwhile the offense was down, .5 ppg during the year.

 

[1maGoh]

To put this in perspective. Only one team that gave up more than 24 ppg in the regular season ever won a Super Bowl. And that was the 2011 Giants. So the Rams have a chance to make history. The average ppg differential, in scoring more points than giving up for Super Bowl winners is 10.2 ppg. Only one team has been in the negative, The 2011 Giants. The 3 teams with the smallest point differential. The 2011 Giants at -.4, the 2007 Giants at 1.4 and the 2012 Ravens at 3.4. So for the Rams to win the Super Bowl, they have their work cut out for them.


FWIW, I don't think the Saints, Chiefs or Patriots will win the Super Bowl either. Right now if I had to bet it would be the Bears.

Avg ppg differential isn't what we were talking about. We were talking about avg ppg differential during the regular season against playoff opponents. That's an apples and pipe wrenches comparison.

Our ppg differential for the year was +8. So no history needed to be made there.

On the bright side, you have all off season to research more stats with me context to support your idea since, you know, your team doesn't have any playoff games for you to watch.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

Goff should not be afraid to check it down if it's not there.

Littleton/Barron needs to focus on their gaps and not overpursuing.

Joyner needs to think deep shot first and not jump the dig.

 

[kurtfaulk]

Meanwhile the offense was down, .5 ppg during the year.

Not what the Vikings expected when they spent an extra $27m per year on their qb, fully guaranteed.

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