Lots of pleasing takeaways from that 49er game, huh?

[Rams43]

In no particular order...

Hanging 48 points on the 49ers is always a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

And joining the GSOT with a 500+ point season was glorious.

After a few early “off” throws, Goff settled down and threw quite well, building confidence for the playoffs.

The OL played great. Period.

Boom looked very solid when replacing Big Whit. Did NOT look like a rookie at all. Knew his assignments, threw good blocks on both run and pass plays, looked strong, too.

What a signing CJ Anderson was. He’s gotten 300 yards rushing in 2 games, combined? Plus the receiving and pass pro? Are you kidding me? Not to mention the invaluable rest for Gurley that he’s provided. Makes Snead look brilliant.

Well, Reynolds is back in the picture as an O weapon, huh? A very welcome sight, indeed. Nice to have both Reynolds and Everett as effective weapons in addition to Cooks, Woods, and Higbee.

Really liked the way our O converted turnovers into quick points. Always nice to see red zone effectiveness.

The D enjoyed a turnover orgy right from the start. What a wonderful way to start a 49er game. Sure hope to see some of that in the playoffs. If we do, we’re gonna be VERY difficult to beat.

Fowler is blossoming in this D. More and more plays every week. Might be a good extension this offseason, if he’s halfway reasonable. He sure helps our rush and scoring D, that’s for sure.

Barron really came to play, didn’t he? Been missing that all year. Very nice to see.

Littleton is a playmaker. Easy guy to root for on either ST or on D.

Good game from AD. Didn’t get the record, but he had a huge impact on the game. What a stud.

Talib makes a difference on our D. He just does. And he seems to make Peters more effective in the process.

I simply LOVED it when McVay kept his foot on the pedal into the 3rd quarter. No getting conservative for him with the run, run, pass, punt crap. I love that in my HC. I suspect that the players do, too.

I also loved it when McVay and Wade cleared the benches as they rested many starters from early in the 4th quarter on. Smart. Very, very smart.

Another outstanding afternoon by Hekker and GZ. These guys just spoil us every week, don’t they?

Now, here’s a couple of asides.

First, don’t be misled by the final 49er score. For one thing, a bunch of that was after Ram backups were in during the whole 4th quarter. The game outcome was never in doubt.

Secondly, yeah, AD’s refusal to come out was a bad look and he showed up Westbrooks in the process. Then again, a big part of AD’s greatness is his incredible drive to be the best of the best. It is behind his unbelievable training program, for example. IOW, AD is different. And in a very good way. It’s very hard for him to shut that down during the game. Not bad qualities or a bad example for his teammates, don’t you think? So I’m gonna give him a pass on it. This time, anyway.

Another thing that I think is worth mentioning about this. Somehow, the Ram coaches were able to quietly handle AD and without making a big scene, convince him of the “wisdom” of coming off the field. That was deftly done. My compliments to the Ram coaching staff there.

All in all, this was a dream finish to a wonderful Ram season. We all have plenty of reasons to look forward to the playoffs. If the Rams can somehow get their O and D firing on all cylinders simultaneously, then I don’t see any team that can stop them, frankly

 

[fearsomefour]

At one point they put up Donald had 11 pressures on 43 snaps....that is just silly.

 

[den-the-coach]

Some great things as the defense set the tone early, before giving up too much at the end with the Rams clearing the bench. Gerald Everett seems to have trouble taking the hand offs in the Jet sweep, he needs to get better because being a former RB, he should be a natural for that play.

Joseph Noteboom is a player and the Rams are set at LT for many years to come barring injury. Like his make up and Whittworth has assisted greatly in his development.

Barron is great on the Blitz, hope we see more of that and I'm hoping that McVay utilizes C.J. Anderson and Gurley in the same backfield, will be another thing for the Bears to worry about. Tyler Higbee has been amazing, just needs to work on keeping his feet. His blocking and ability to get open, should aid Goff when going up against a stout Bear defense.

Josh Reynolds getting better game by game, however, I am a tad concerned about Jo Jo Natson, he made the right play to pick up the football, but just should have fallen on it. It's too bad I did not get to see more of Nick Williams from a punt return perspective because I would rather have somebody that I can count on who is not going to fumble...Natson only has lost one fumble, but it was huge and he does offer some pop returning punts, but ball security first and foremost and nothing else.

John Kelly a tough runner, but seems to get pushed back quite often, seems to me in this offense being a bigger back is an asset as Kelly doesn't have the top end speed to break away from the pack, but he did make a beautiful catch and run for a first down.

Rodger Saffold must be extended, he's a stud and the linchpin to the offensive line. Steve Shields cannot tackle, expected more from him and I guess I will never warm up to Bryce Hager.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Mark Barron showed up and played like his old self. He was all over the field. Led the D in tackles. That bodes real well for the playoffs.

 

[SierraRam]

It was great to get a two-game tuneup before the playoffs. Brady and Co always have had that benefit in the pathetic AFC Least. The three things that got us here: the OL, Jared and the pass rush are back and ready to go

 

[den-the-coach]

Mark Barron showed up and played like his old self. He was all over the field. Led the D in tackles. That bodes real well for the playoffs.

Against the Bears in Chicago, the defense played well, just gave up too many yards against the run and Mitch Trubisky's greatest asset is his ability to run. Keep Trubisky in the pocket and he'll make mistakes, bringing Barron on a few blitzes could aid in keeping Trubisky in check.

 

[JonRam99]

CJ Anderson is a wrecking ball.
A wrecking ball.
It's worth sayin twice. So glad we have him. When we need short yards, he'll get em. Ya he had some no-gainers, but by & large we can roll with him. He just knocks dudes out of the way. Not quite Earl Campbell but CJ really knows how to use his pads.

 

[RhodyRams]

At one point they put up Donald had 11 pressures on 43 snaps....that is just silly.

and was double teamed on 35% of snaps

 

[snackdaddy]

Goff started a little slow. Badly missed a wide open Reynolds early in the game. But he came back the first two drives of the second half and threw some beauties. That should go a long way to regaining the confidence he had the first 12 games.

 

[Barrison]

If Donald attends Minicamp & OTA's he gets the sack record, OTOH more motivated to get it next year. Good problem to have for us.

 

[Tano]

Goff started a little slow. Badly missed a wide open Reynolds early in the game. But he came back the first two drives of the second half and threw some beauties. That should go a long way to regaining the confidence he had the first 12 games.

I don't know if I want to blame Goff or Reynolds or both on that throw.

I don't think Reynolds turned the way Goff was expecting him to turn. They just don't always appear to be on the same page.

That's the one thing we are really going to miss with Kupp out in the playoffs. Goff and Kupp were almost always on the same page. Goff knew where Kupp was going to go and Kupp knew where Goff was going to throw the ball.

However, Reynolds imho is a much better target in the red zone than Kupp.

 

[BonifayRam]

Wonder if we scrape the WWC sidewalks for a bona fide high safety with both Joyner & Countess out with injuries? Countess looked like a non-factor deep in our DB until his head on collision & knock out. Having a Hybrid LB'er/Strong Safety like Marqui Christian playing high safety against a proven QB will get you in:death: the playoffs.

Rams will need to come up with a game plan for the off season dealing with this position. LJ & Countess are involved in free agency in March. I do not see LJ returning here nor do I see any reason to offer Blake Countess a new contract either unless it's an ultra low deal. The only real safety stashed in the PS is UDFA rookie Ramon Richards & he is far more SS in the box type than a blend of the two.

 

[Merlin]

Secondly, yeah, AD’s refusal to come out was a bad look and he showed up Westbrooks in the process.

I think the fans were more worried about that whole thing than the Rams were. AD is an elite player and those guys get extra benefits, like telling the coach "I'm stayin in here." I don't think it was a bad look at all tbh.

When you have a dude like AD who brings that production, energy and desire you accept the moments like that.

 

[Farr Be It]

I guess I will never warm up to Bryce Hager.

With all the backup linebackers in on that cluster touchdown by Kittle, I swear it looked like 3 Brady Poppingas helplessly chasing him downfield. :banghead:

 

[den-the-coach]

With all the backup linebackers in on that cluster touchdown by Kittle, I swear it looked like 3 Brady Poppingas helplessly chasing him downfield. :banghead:

Yes sir and myself plus my Ram compadres watching with me all shouted at the same time..."Too many white guys." I think I can post that being Caucasian myself.

 

[Merlin]

On that last drive I would have just put two dudes on him at the LOS with directions to maul his @$$.

 

[BonifayRam]

Mark Barron showed up and played like his old self. He was all over the field. Led the D in tackles. That bodes real well for the playoffs.

Barron is great on the Blitz, hope we see more of that

Barron really came to play, didn’t he? Been missing that all year. Very nice to see.

I have been bad:rant::blah: all season long on our past star weakside ILB'er Mark Barron. I posted a couple weeks ago that Barron seems to be returning to some of his old form play....I was seeing some moments & flashes from him but nothing consistent.

Well, Sunday I saw his best game this season from him. I am :yay:elated by what I saw. Mark has always been good going forward until this season, I would guess that his bad shoulder has slowly got back to where he can play much better with the pain. It's taken about 11 months from surgery if I have his event surgery time correct in my brains. Both Littleton & Barron are outstanding @ rushing the QB & getting skinny @ the LOS. I agree I sure hope we see more of this in the future.

 

[fearsomefour]

Some great things as the defense set the tone early, before giving up too much at the end with the Rams clearing the bench. Gerald Everett seems to have trouble taking the hand offs in the Jet sweep, he needs to get better because being a former RB, he should be a natural for that play.

Joseph Noteboom is a player and the Rams are set at LT for many years to come barring injury. Like his make up and Whittworth has assisted greatly in his development.

Barron is great on the Blitz, hope we see more of that and I'm hoping that McVay utilizes C.J. Anderson and Gurley in the same backfield, will be another thing for the Bears to worry about. Tyler Higbee has been amazing, just needs to work on keeping his feet. His blocking and ability to get open, should aid Goff when going up against a stout Bear defense.

Josh Reynolds getting better game by game, however, I am a tad concerned about Jo Jo Natson, he made the right play to pick up the football, but just should have fallen on it. It's too bad I did not get to see more of Nick Williams from a punt return perspective because I would rather have somebody that I can count on who is not going to fumble...Natson only has lost one fumble, but it was huge and he does offer some pop returning punts, but ball security first and foremost and nothing else.

John Kelly a tough runner, but seems to get pushed back quite often, seems to me in this offense being a bigger back is an asset as Kelly doesn't have the top end speed to break away from the pack, but he did make a beautiful catch and run for a first down.

Rodger Saffold must be extended, he's a stud and the linchpin to the offensive line. Steve Shields cannot tackle, expected more from him and I guess I will never warm up to Bryce Hager.

Hagar has the mental side of things down at this time but just seems a step slow.

 

[den-the-coach]

Hagar has the mental side of things down at this time but just seems a step slow.

So true and I'm tough on Hager for some reason as he's very good on special teams, but I think the Rams know what they have in Hager, I'd like to see more of Micah Kiser.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Yep, during the 9ers game I was like, wait, is Barron...back?

One of my favorite Rams from last year; let's hope he's back to himself for the playoffs!