Rams/Patriots game thoughts

[XXXIVwin]

The Rams are so comfortable with their defense that they go into conservative offense way too soon, almost the whole 4th quarter tonight.
We went 3 and out twice in a row with out a pass. I hope they finally realized that they still needed to move the ball. Against better teams, we can't sit on the ball too early.

McVay’s 34-0 record when ahead at the half shows he might know a thing or two about protecting a lead.

Of course watching McVay going into clock-killing mode is kinda boring to watch. But it’s damn effective.

Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a single time when McVay went into clock-killing mode and it came back to bite him. If someone can think of an example, go ahead and name it.

 

[Giles]

@Giles @badnews My point was on a night where Akers and the defense completely dominated, this guy wants to talk about Goff. We are literally witnessing the best defense in the history of our organization. Tonight was a masterclass put on by Staley and our Defense..a masterclass. Our rookie RB set the record for yardage in 2020 by rookie RBs. 2nd in our franchise's history for a rookie. Why isnt that the narrative? Why isn't that people's focus? Its so ridiculous people are talking about Goff on a night like tonight when we had two A+ performances we could be focusing on.

I think Goff played average tonight, because he wasn't asked to do too much. Akers literally ran for more yards than he passed for. But the problem around here with certain posters like yourselves is as soon as someone points out a Goff mistake or an area he can improve on, like the INT to Woods which was a bad throw, you immediately get called a Goff hater. IMMEDIDATELY. I give him lots of props when he plays well and highlight his great decision/throws, the same way I highlight areas he needs to improve and criticize him after the MIA and SF losses. The problem is you can no longer say Goff needs to improve in any area before you get swarmed by 10 posters calling you a Goff hater. And that is fucking bullshit. Ya'll need to grow some thicker skin if any bit of criticism gets you upset.

I completely understood your point but it didn't make what I posted any less true. You rarely ever give goff props without a backhanded compliment and when we do lose you blame him always without fail. That's my point. How can we take your post seriously when you do that on a consistent basis? Your post reeks of bias my friend.

 

[Mackeyser]

McVay’s 34-0 record when ahead at the half shows he might know a thing or two about protecting a lead.

Of course watching McVay going into clock-killing mode is kinda boring to watch. But it’s damn effective.

Off the top of my head, I can’t think of a single time when McVay went into clock-killing mode and it came back to bite him. If someone can think of an example, go ahead and name it.

Don't think teams don't know about that stat and they start to panic in the last 2nd quarter.

When McVay goes into "protect" mode, it seems to take the wind out of teams' sails and I've noticed the opposing offense begin to panic and rush.

That stat is almost becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

 

[TexasRam]

Don't think teams don't know about that stat and they start to panic in the last 2nd quarter.

When McVay goes into "protect" mode, it seems to take the wind out of teams' sails and I've noticed the opposing offense begin to panic and rush.

That stat is almost becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Mcvay can be a party pooper but we have to be reasonable. Running the ball not only burns clock and is less prone to turnover, but it minimizes injuries to most teams most important player, the QB.

Compare Mcvays style to Harbaugh who plays Jackson to the whistle running him all game and on 4th downs to run up scores as much as possible.

Mcvay had lots of reasons to run up the score on Billy. But Mcvay is smart.

 

[ProGen]

Cam Acres is a great nickname

 

[XXXIVwin]

Cam Acres is a great nickname

Yeah, I told my wife that since he’s a rookie they call him “Green Acres”

 

[NoCoNite]

He played well enough for the Rams to win by 3 touchdowns. Is that not good enough? Does he need to throw no look passes? Does he need to run around like a headless chicken then throw the ball? Does he need to run even though he's able to throw the ball to an open receiver? What was it that he did badly?

.

He’s just a mid tier Game manager. That’s cool aslong as he doesn’t lose us games.

The defense and Cam won the game tonight. That’s where the glory deserves to go.

I’d take a Goff 155 yard game and a W over a 350 yard L anytime.

 

[Mackeyser]

Mcvay can be a party pooper but we have to be reasonable. Running the ball not only burns clock and is less prone to turnover, but it minimizes injuries to most teams most important player, the QB.

Compare Mcvays style to Harbaugh who plays Jackson to the whistle running him all game and on 4th downs to run up scores as much as possible.

Mcvay had lots of reasons to run up the score on Billy. But Mcvay is smart.

I totally agree.

What I meant was that the number has grown high enough and we've held off so many good teams that you can't blame opposing coaches for starting to panic mid 2nd quarter if they aren't ahead. Also, I've started to notice teams really changing their plans mid way through the 3rd quarter if they haven't scored quickly.

Point being that McVay has turned a 60 minute game into a 30 minute game which is in the history of football, maybe the most amazing thing he's done.

 

[UKram]

He’s just a mid tier Game manager. That’s cool aslong as he doesn’t lose us games.

The defense and Cam won the game tonight. That’s where the glory deserves to go.

I’d take a Goff 155 yard game and a W over a 350 yard L anytime.

Yeah I think everyone would including goff and mcvay but the thing is he gets no credit when he has a 350 yard win .. like last week for example

 

[Allen2McVay]

Even on the pick, Woods caught the ball, and the DB stole it from him. Goff played pretty well.

The pass was late, and the throw was low and behind Woods.

He also missed a wide-open Brown in the flat.

The Kupp TD was a very nice throw, as was the late third-and-long completion to Kupp.

Reynolds and Woods each dropped a pass that would have been good for 15-20 yards. Aikman said he thought Goff 'would like to have the Woods' drop back' suggesting it was a poor throw but the ball hit Woods in the hands. I like Aikman's analysis but he missed that one in my opinion.

 

[OnceARam]

The pass was late, and the throw was low and behind Woods.

He also missed a wide-open Brown in the flat.

The Kupp TD was a very nice throw, as was the late third-and-long completion to Kupp.

Reynolds and Woods each dropped a pass that would have been good for 15-20 yards. Aikman said he thought Goff 'would like to have the Woods' drop back' suggesting it was a poor throw but the ball hit Woods in the hands. I like Aikman's analysis but he missed that one in my opinion.

Yeah, Aikman was itching to criticize Goff. Although, at one point, Aikman's criticism just tailed off in mid-sentence. "Goff should have...well...actually..." Had me laughing. He's definitely no Tony Romo.

 

[LouisvilleRam]

The pass was late, and the throw was low and behind Woods.

He also missed a wide-open Brown in the flat.

The Kupp TD was a very nice throw, as was the late third-and-long completion to Kupp.

Reynolds and Woods each dropped a pass that would have been good for 15-20 yards. Aikman said he thought Goff 'would like to have the Woods' drop back' suggesting it was a poor throw but the ball hit Woods in the hands. I like Aikman's analysis but he missed that one in my opinion.

Both the pass to Woods and Brown were catches that they both would probably say they should have made. Especially Brown he was trying to make the catch and turn up field all in one motion instead of just making the catch

 

[ottoman89]

I'd like to talk about Troy Reeder. I don't think Kiser gets his job back. What a great position for the Rams to be in. Champagne problems

He's playing much better than earlier. I've been real happy with him.

Jalen Ramsey didn't fall asleep but he had to be bored out there. Nothing posed a threat to him..

Also, Brockers had a tremendous game. Was nice to see him come alive.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Both the pass to Woods and Brown were catches that they both would probably say they should have made. Especially Brown he was trying to make the catch and turn up field all in one motion instead of just making the catch

They would probably say they ‘should’ have made those catches; and they ‘could’ made the catches ... Woods probably ‘would’ have completed the catch but for the CB being on top of him and taking the ball away.

However, better passes would have made them easy completions.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

This is the best defense we have had in quite some time. And we have had some good ones recently.

We are way more consistent than during the Fisher years, when we did have some serious talent on that side of the ball.

We have a true lockdown corner in Ramsey.

We have the best defensive player in the game in Donald.

Our depth at nearly all positions, save LB, is outstanding... even if our edge rushers lack much high-end talent after Floyd.

Our secondary, in particular, might be the best and deepest unit in the league.

The amount of turnovers being generated is really picking up.

It took Staley some time to figure things out schematically, which to be fair, probably should have been expected as a new coordinator without a real pre-season due to covid-19. But he now has this unit absolutely flying out there.

When the defense does show weaknesses, Staley has proven extremely capable of making in-game adjustments. Which to me, has been the biggest, most visible, and most influential improvement from previous seasons.

Health-wise, we are starting to get players back with Okoronkwo and Robinson recently returning, and apparently soon Lewis and Kiser. Hopefully, we can stay healthy.

Even our LBers, likely the weakness of this defensive roster, have looked great lately.

Defense travels and defense wins championships. I truly believe we could win the Superbowl on the strength of this unit. The offense is streaky, imperfect, and has some flaws. But I think is it is good enough the score enough points to win with this defensive group backing it.

The only thing that gives me pause is Kansas City in the AFC. We have not faced a test like them all year, and probably will not, unless we play the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. I am not entirely sure if the Chiefs can be stopped, with that QB, those weapons, and Andy Reid drawing up the plays. The only time the Chiefs seem to be able to be slowed down, is when the Chiefs look disinterested and play down to the level of their competition. It will be an interesting matchup, should we see it.

I don’t think anyone on the Rams can run with Tyrone Hill. They’d have to be physical up front with him. Speed at Linebacker could be a problem against the Chiefs too.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

The Rams are so comfortable with their defense that they go into conservative offense way too soon, almost the whole 4th quarter tonight.
We went 3 and out twice in a row with out a pass. I hope they finally realized that they still needed to move the ball. Against better teams, we can't sit on the ball too early.

I agree and have said as much before. McVay likely doesn’t want to run up the score and wants to get the game over ASAP.
Things is three and outs don’t run a lot of time off the clock and gives the ball back to the opponent. Or maybe he doesn’t entirely trust Goff so why risk it.
Who knows but chewing clock at the beginning of the fourth quarter against an ass like Belichick who beat the Chargers 45-0, is a wasted gesture, if that is what it was.

 

[Varg6]

Mahomes is special, but our defense is great. They don't have to shut him down. If they slow him down, we have a chance. Plus, KC's defense is bad against the run. However, we have a long road ahead of us.

What we saw tonight is what I’d expect against KC, should this Super Bowl occur: absolutely destroying in time of possession. Mahomes can’t do much when he’s on the sideline

 

[Tano]

@Giles @badnews My point was on a night where Akers and the defense completely dominated, this guy wants to talk about Goff. We are literally witnessing the best defense in the history of our organization. Tonight was a masterclass put on by Staley and our Defense..a masterclass. Our rookie RB set the record for yardage in 2020 by rookie RBs. 2nd in our franchise's history for a rookie. Why isnt that the narrative? Why isn't that people's focus? Its so ridiculous people are talking about Goff on a night like tonight when we had two A+ performances we could be focusing on.

I think Goff played average tonight, because he wasn't asked to do too much. Akers literally ran for more yards than he passed for. But the problem around here with certain posters like yourselves is as soon as someone points out a Goff mistake or an area he can improve on, like the INT to Woods which was a bad throw, you immediately get called a Goff hater. IMMEDIDATELY. I give him lots of props when he plays well and highlight his great decision/throws, the same way I highlight areas he needs to improve and criticize him after the MIA and SF losses. The problem is you can no longer say Goff needs to improve in any area before you get swarmed by 10 posters calling you a Goff hater. And that is fucking bullshit. Ya'll need to grow some thicker skin if any bit of criticism gets you upset.

It's not when people criticize Goff that gets me going. It's when people like Tom Mack calls a win in spite of Goff that gets me going.

Don't come here with that crap.

I don't have a problem with your comments for the most part. We may disagree on Goff because I believe he is an above average QB who just needs to be smarter with the football on certain plays.

 

[Tano]

I completely understood your point but it didn't make what I posted any less true. You rarely ever give goff props without a backhanded compliment and when we do lose you blame him always without fail. That's my point. How can we take your post seriously when you do that on a consistent basis? Your post reeks of bias my friend.

I completely agree with this assessment. I don't have a problem with your comments per se but then again you never give Goff his due. You only point out his mistakes. At least give him his due when he does have a great game ala Arizona.

Everytime our special teams tried to give it to Arizona, Goff came right back and said - nope this is our game.

 

[den-the-coach]

I want to give props to Jared Goff as he played really well and I feel is doing everything he can to limit the turnovers. Goff answered the call on with two QB sneaks and one for a TD doing what Brandy used to do.

I want to thank @jrry32 for talking me off the ledge after the 49er game and reassuring me, Goff was our guy. This against a great defense that was run by the puppet master....Goff did many great things and was the conductor leading a great orchestra.