Ten Takeaways from the Rams’ 23-17 Win Over the Seahawks

[RamBill]

Ten Takeaways from the Rams’ 23-17 Win Over the Seahawks

Posted by: Randy Karraker

http://www.101sports.com/2015/12/28/ten-takeaways-rams-23-17-win-seahawks/

For the second time this season, the Rams shocked the Seahawks and the NFL, putting a stranglehold on an early lead and holding on for a 23-17 win in Seattle on Sunday.

The formerly invincible-at-home Seahawks went 5-3 at Century Link field in 2015, the same record the Rams achieved at the Edward Jones Dome. Now the Rams shoot for a .500 record for the first time since 2006. Baby steps. And with that, 10 takeaways from Sunday’s win…

1) I understand the excitement over a three game winning streak under quarterback Case Keenum and offensive coordinator Rob Boras, I really do. However, it should be noted that the Seahawks scored seventeen points, and the Rams offense scored sixteen. Keenum was workmanlike, going 14-23 for 103 yards and a touchdown. Admittedly, he’s working with a less than stellar cast. But the offense generated 207 yards. The win is nice, but I’m not ready to anoint Keenum as THE GUY at quarterback heading into 2016. After all, in his last win for the Rams, Austin Davis was 13-24 for 105 yards and a touchdown (with two interceptions).

2) Credit to Jeff Fisher and his staff for keeping the players engaged despite being out of the playoffs. Getting a team to go from 4-8 and a five game losing streak to 7-8 with a three game winning streak is a testament to the Rams effort.

Unfortunately, they let games in Minnesota and Baltimore get away. A really good team would have preserved those wins and perhaps been 9-6 with a playoff shot heading into the final week of the season.

3) Fisher rightfully gave the game ball to center Tim Barnes, the former Mizzou center who hustled to recover fumbles by Benny Cunningham and Todd Gurley on the fourth quarter drive that put the Rams up 23-10. If Seattle recovers either of those fumbles…especially Cunningham’s…the Rams are in trouble, playing defense with a six point lead. You can always tell an offensive lineman is hustling when you see him downfield on long running plays. Orlando Pace always did that. Barnes’ hustle and attentiveness won the game for the Rams.

4) During the pregame show on 101 ESPN, Anthony Stalter and I noted the great work of the defensive staff with the absence of Robert Quinn, Alec Ogletree and T.J. McDonald. During this game, the Rams lost Mark Barron and, for a time, Trumaine Johnson. Yet they still played at a high level. Russell Wilson had gone 110-148 with nineteen touchdowns and no interceptions, averaging 284 yards per game for a passer rating of 146.2 in his last five games. The Rams held him to a 25-41, 289 yard, two touchdown, one interception performance…with 40 yards and a touchdown on the Seahawks meaningless final drive. Trumaine Johnson’s second quarter pick was the first of Wilson in 168 attempts. With all the injury issues on defense, the Rams also ended Seattle’s 25 game string of 100 yard rushing days. Gregg Williams and the defensive staff continue to work magic.

5) For the fourth game in a row, the same offensive line of Greg Robinson, Garrett Reynolds, Barnes, Cody Wichmann and Rob Havenstein started and finished the game. That continuity makes a big difference. You can see the combo blocks the Rams put together for Todd Gurley’s runs, and they provide great protection. Gurley ran for 85 yards and 4.5 per carry, and Keenum wasn’t sacked. When an offensive line group works together, regardless of their talent level, they play better. We are seeing that with this group.

6) The Rams are now 4-2 when they win the turnover battle, 2-4 when they lose it, and 1-2 when it’s even. They’re 4-1 when Gurley goes over 100 yards rushing. 0-5 when attempting 30 or more passes, 5-1 when they outgain their opponent. They’re 7-0 when they score 20 or more points and 0-8 when they score less than 20. Now we have another stat. The Rams are unbeaten when Jeff Fisher wears a cap on the sideline. He’s going to have to try that again next week.

Aside from scoring 20 or more points, that’s the only category in which the Rams have a perfect winning percentage.

7) Remarkably, the Rams can move to 5-1 in the NFC West with a win in San Francisco next week. They could end the franchise’s string of losing seasons at eight, despite the string of non-winning seasons reaching twelve this year. But most alarming is that even if the Rams go 8-8, they’ll be 3-7 outside the division, with the wins coming against Cleveland, Detroit and Tampa Bay at home. I know success starts in the division, but to be a playoff team there needs to be a formula that includes beating other teams. Whether it’s going 8-0 at home and 4-4 on the road, or 5-1 in the division and 5-5 outside, somewhere along the line the Rams are going to have to be good and consistent against the entire league.

8) Hey Seattle fans, your team isn’t the only one allowed to hit hard. Football is still a collision sport, and defensive players are paid to hit offensive players hard. So when Rodney McLeod leveled Jermaine Kearse and separated him from the ball early in the fourth quarter, your move is to ooohh and aaahh, not to boo a guy for playing hard. If the Seahawks got booed every time they hit someone hard, there would never be any cheering. Again, hard hits are legal in this game. Even though they aren’t encouraged the way they were back in the day, they’re still why we watch. Don’t boo a guy for doing his job well.

9) By the way, with Pittsburgh’s loss, at the moment the Rams have played seven teams that will make the playoffs; Seattle and Arizona twice each, Minnesota, Green Bay and Cincinnati. Against those teams, the Rams finished 3-4, and obviously 0-3 against those out of the division.

10) Fans aren’t the only ones that have seen the last of the Rams for this season. Because they play in San Francisco next week, the franchise decided to stay on the west coast during New Year’s week before playing their finale in San Francisco, so most St. Louis media won’t see them this week, either. The team doesn’t want their players to be worn out by flying west TWICE in two weeks. Apparently the Rams weren’t paying attention last year when the Cleveland Cavaliers flew to Oakland to play on June 4th and 7th, then flew BACK to Cleveland for games on June 9th, 11th and 14th, and then again to Oakland for a game on June 16th. Then again, maybe that’s why the Cavs lost. Nonetheless, the Rams will practice in Napa this week before ending their season Sunday in Santa Clara against the 49ers.

Have a happy and safe New Year’s holiday, and I’ll see you on the radio.

 

[RamBill]

The Frustrating Jeff Fisher Experience Rolls On

Posted by: Bernie Miklasz

http://www.101sports.com/2015/12/28/the-jeff-fisher-experience-rolls-on/

Sigh.

Where to begin?

How about this: the Rams players and coaches were at their best Sunday in Seattle, winning 23-17 over an imposing, peaking Seahawks team that had gone 7-1 in its previous eight games, outscoring opponents by 113 points.

For the most part the Rams’ players dominated the Seahawks physically. But the Jeff Fisher and STL coaches came out ahead of Pete Carroll and the Seattle staff. The Rams knew what to attack and exploit on both sides of the ball, and won the brain game as well.

In particular the Gregg Williams-coordinated defense had Seattle QB Russell Wilson out of sorts for much of the afternoon. In the first half, when the Rams took control with a 16-3 lead, they held Wilson to 92 yards passing and a passer rating of 46.5. Entering the game, Wilson had gone through a scorching 5-0 stretch in which he completed 74.3 percent of his passes, averaged 9.59 yards per passing attempt, thrown 19 touchdowns with no interceptions, and amassed a QB rating of 143.6. And while Wilson rolled up impressive yards in the second half, when the game was on the line the Rams contained him. They chilled him down after one of the most torrid streaks by an NFL quarterback this season.

I thought Rams offensive coordinator Rob Boras did a nice job with his plan against that nasty Seahawks defense, and QB Case Keenum displayed unwavering poise in that notoriously hostile Seattle environment.

The Rams were more efficient, made fewer mistakes, and won the turnover contest 3-0. Including the postseason, Seattle was 31-4 at home since the start of the 2012 season before getting taken down by the Rams.

It was a job well done by the visitors from St. Louis. And as much as I appreciate and respect the Rams’ performance in winning their third consecutive game, it also makes me want to holler. The same old questions pop to the surface.

Why is it that Coach Fisher can be 4-1 vs. the NFC West this season — which includes a 3-1 record against the bully squads from Arizona and Seattle — only to go 4-7 against mostly weaker, non-division foes? And with a win Sunday in San Francisco, the Rams would finish with a 5-1 record against NFC West rivals. If you go 4-1 (or 5-1) in a tough division, that should book you into the postseasons. But it hasn’t worked out that way for Fisher in St. Louis.

Why is it that Coach Fisher is 11-11-1 vs. the NFC West in his four seasons as Rams coach, only to go 16-24 (.400) against opponents outside the division? In case you were wondering, here’s how the NFC West teams have fared against each other since Fisher took over the Rams in 2012:

Seattle, 14-9 … .608 winning percentage.

St. Louis, 11-11-1 … .500 winning percentage.

San Francisco, 10-12-1 … .456 winning percentage.

Arizona, 10-13 … .435 winning percentage.

The Rams have the second-best division record over the last four seasons — but are the only NFC West contingent to fail to make the postseason during that time. Seattle is headed to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Seahawks have won the NFC championship in each of the last two years, and were the Super Bowl champs for the 2013 season. San Francisco has made the playoffs twice since 2012, and won the NFC championship in ’12. Arizona is thriving under third-year head coach Bruce Arians, and has qualified for the postseason for a second consecutive year. The Rams have the only postseason goose egg in the NFC West.

But that isn’t surprising — even with their solid division record mixed in there.

I just showed you how the Rams rank second in the division for best record in division games since 2012. OK, now here’s each team’s four-season record against non-division opponents since the start of ’12:

Seattle, 31-9 … .775 winning pct.

Arizona, 29-11 … .725 winning pct.

San Francisco, 25-15 … .625 winning pct.

St. Louis, 16-24 … .400 winning pct.

Good grief. That’s the eternal Fisher mystery. He’s done an outstanding job of getting his Rams prepared and inspired to take on division rivals. But when the Rams venture outside the NFC West, they’ve flopped. Even though the Rams have won more games vs. division rivals than any team but Seattle, they’re way down on the NFL list in overall winning percentage since 2012.

Overall winning percentage, 2012-2015:

Seattle is No. 3 overall at .714.

Arizona is No. 8 overall at .619.

San Francisco is No. 10 at .563.

St. Louis is 26th overall with a .437 winning percentage.

And much of this is attributable to the Rams’ failure to pile up wins against non-division competition.

I’ve heard this common theory: it’s more difficult to win outside your division, because you aren’t as familiar with the opponents and their tendencies. You don’t have a built-in working knowledge of what to expect.

There’s some merit to that, but if winning outside the division is such an incredibly difficult assignment, then answer me this: why do the Seahawks, 49ers and Cardinals have a combined 71 percent success rate in winning games played beyond NFC West borders since 2012 compared to the Rams’ non-division success rate of 40 percent?

The Fisher apologists — and trust me, they’re out there — would have us believe that the 11-11-1 record vs. the NFC West is a positive reflection on the coach. They would tell us that 11-11-1 is proof that Fisher can do more with less and overachieve against superior competition.

The Fisher skeptics — I’m in the club — would disagree with that.

The “overachiever” label would be a better fit if the Rams did a better job of taking care of business in games they should handle. But they’re only 9-7 under Fisher when going into the game as a Vegas-line favorite. And the Rams are one of the better underdog teams in the NFL. When the Rams have headed into a contest as more than a touchdown ‘dog (eight points or higher), Fisher ha a 5-7-1 record outright, and the team covered the point spread in nine of the 13 games. It seems to me that the Fisher-led Rams are a classic example of a team that plays up or down to the level of the competition.

And that’s what makes the coach and his team so frustrating at times. The Rams continue to tease. They’ll win games they shouldn’t win and lose games they shouldn’t lose. They also find a way to win just enough times late in the season to create false hope and establish a new “The Rams are Close to a Breakthrough” narrative. And indeed, with a victory over San Francisco the Rams will be 8-8 for the first time since 2006.

If the Rams go 8-8, prepare for a rewarmed story line.

But please beware of the reality.

In Fisher’s four seasons the Rams are 11-18 in September and October games … and 16-17-1 in November and December games. They win after it’s too late to realistically make the playoffs or surge to a the first winning season by the franchise since 2003.

The triumph in Seattle was impressive. But it also fit a baffling, disheartening, and frustrating pattern. The Rams aren’t so bad as to be dismissed as hideous and hopeless. They’re always a threat to spring an upset. But they aren’t good or consistent enough to earn a spot in the playoffs. They get close enough to think that success is imminent — only to falter and free fall into another losing streak that eliminates them as a serious and credible contender.

Basically the Rams are square in the mediocre middle.

Just like Coach Fisher’s 81-93-1 record since the start of the 2004 season.

Thanks for reading …

–Bernie

 

[PhillyRam]

I would think that knowing your opponent helps a team overcome short comings they have elsewhere, especially at QB.

So that added knowledge on a team, that you could then argue is well coached and well motivated, can perform better against a team they know well, but that added edge is not there against more unfamiliar opponents.

So lacking QB becomes a bigger obstacle to overcome against non division teams.

 

[RamBill]

Rams Finale Will Offer Fuel for Fisher Critics and Backers

Posted by: Brandt Dolce

http://www.101sports.com/2015/12/29/fisher-critics-backers-tight-spot-heading-season-finale/

Jeff Fisher seems to have a way to get under the skin of fans for his own team.

The Rams coach’s middling record produces whimsical memes on a weekly basis. After leading his team to an improbable week one comeback over Seattle in St. Louis, it seemed the fourth year under the head coach could possibly bear fruit for the teams’ long-suffering fans, and the hope for a playoff appearance crept into conversations.

Perhaps Fisher had his squad over the hump at last.

Week two at Washington was a resounding thud, as Rams loyalists quickly remembered what being a Rams fan has become.

After a pair of home wins over inferior competition, the Rams sat at (4-3) and headed to Minnesota for perhaps a season-defining victory on the road. Instead, the Rams lost in overtime, despite outplaying the favored Vikings for much of contest.

That loss started a five-game losing streak that cost offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti his job, and the Rams any real chance at a playoff appearance. Rob Boras stepped in as Cignetti’s replacement and paid dividends, as the Rams beat Detroit and Tampa.

It was predictable that the Rams would show a spark after winding up all but eliminated from playoff contention.

This was just enough effort and accomplishment to get the team nearer to the .500 mark, and further from the top of the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

The week 16 matchup at Seattle to face the intimidating Seahawks would be just what the doctor ordered to keep the anti-Fisher movement frothing at the mouth. Las Vegas agreed, as the Rams came in as nearly two touchdown underdogs.

In classic Fisher style, he summoned a victory when most thought his team was incapable of doing so.

Given virtually no chance to emerge victorious, Fisher’s Rams rumbled into CenturyLink Field and man-handled the streaking Seahawks. It was the first time since January 8th, 2005, that a Rams squad went to Seattle and returned with a win.

Fisher told 101ESPN after Sunday’s upset that his team was ready for the challenge.

“No one gave us a chance, and we just fought right through the week. We had to overcome some injuries, we lost three or four guys (during the game). Guys just stepped in and played. Just really proud of them.” Fisher said.

Fisher relishes the underdog role, and knows which buttons to push on his guys to get them to produce in unlikely scenarios.

St. Louis is now 4-1 in the NFC West, and (7-8) overall.

This improbable victory highlights the infuriating nature of the Rams under fisher; Win games you’re not supposed to win, and lose games that are sure victories.

The Rams have a realistic shot at completing a non-losing season for the first time since 2006. Week 17 is a game against the lowly San Francisco 49ers (4-11), with the Rams favored to win.

It would be just like the Rams and Fisher to show up at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, and duplicate the performance that cost the team victories throughout the season. The early line has the Rams as 3.5 point favorites in SanFran.

The 2015 season finale will give both sides fodder for their arguments for or against Fisher.

The Rams win, and the pro-Fisher sentiment touts the four-game winning streak to end the season as proof that Fisher’s system still works in today’s NFL. Even if the Rams don’t come out on top, the pro-Fisher regime can point to a 3-1 finish.

The anti-Fisher crowd has more to gain in the season’s final contest. A win and an (8-8) finish can be scarred by pointing to Fisher’s inability to win games where his team played better than the opposition (@Baltimore, @Minnesota and Pittsburgh at home).

A loss, and it’s easy to point to Fisher’s best record being his first season with the team, and the one where he most likely has the least amount of talent.

Fisher is in a win-win situation, or is it lose-lose? Either way, the last game of the season will be worth watching.

 

[RamBill]

Fisher Credits Swap to Keenum and Boras for Rams’ Improvement

Posted by: Luke Schnake

http://www.101sports.com/2015/12/29/fisher-credits-swap-keenum-boras-rams-improvement/

Much has been written about Jeff Fisher and the Rams’ record this week, and with good reason. The team will attempt Sunday to log its first non-losing season since 2006 with a win over San Francisco.

The chance at an 8-8 record comes after a 23-17 week 16 win at Seattle, only the Seahawks’ second loss in nine games, and a game not many outside Rams Park gave the underdogs a chance of winning.

Fisher, often accused of ‘coaching up’ against division rivals, said Sunday’s victory was one of the three best the Rams have had on his watch, with another being this season’s opener over Seattle at the Edward Jones Dome.

Fisher added Sunday’s win in Seattle was the Rams’ “best win on the road,” and while he’s not happy with a possible .500 season, he’ll take what he can get at this point.

“I’m not, certainly, by no means satisfied with it. But, 8-8 is better than 7-9.” Fisher said Monday.

“We’re certainly not satisfied with being 8-8, but we don’t have any options right now. Probably more importantly, to be able to win four straight, finish the year with four straight wins, would give us momentum into the offseason.”

The Rams’ current three game win-streak comes on the heels of Rob Boras’ promotion to offensive coordinator and Case Keenum taking regular game snaps under center.

The moves have brought more consistency to the team according to Fisher, an attribute largely missing throughout 2015.

“You have to be consistent every week. At the same time, you’ve got to change things up.” Fisher said. “You can’t dwell on the wins. You can’t get over-worked over the losses. You just keep going and get them to trust that what we’re doing and the way we’re doing it is the right way. You just stress improvement, and that’s what we’ve done.”

“We’ve made a couple of changes…difficult changes.” Fisher added. “One to go with (Keenum) and then give the offense over to (Boras). It appears after three weeks that those were good decisions. Guys are really excited right now as I mentioned to you guys after the ball game. I don’t remember seeing that kind of energy in the locker room that we saw after a win. You sense with these guys that we’re closing the gap in the division and that’s where it starts. I think we can say we’ve done that this year.”

Indeed, the Rams could possibly go 5-1 in their division with a win Sunday. That doesn’t change the fact they’ve struggled against non-division opponents this season and in the past. Injuries have no doubt played a part in rough times, but the Rams have also seen quite a few yellow flags.

Such was not the case in Seattle, a place where opposing offenses cope with the loud crowds and wind up committing false starts.

The Rams’ offensive line was a high point in Sunday’s win and did their job consistently throughout the afternoon.

“It’s not an easy place to play.” Fisher said. “I’ll credit our offensive line and the offensive coaches and the game plan and the mechanics and Case. We didn’t have a false start. We didn’t have a sack in one of, if not the toughest place to play. So, I don’t think there’s many teams that can say they came in and out of here without either one of those two things. We got a sense for what it takes up here.”
tim barnes

Center Tim Barnes’ two recovered fumbles saved the Rams’ game Sunday.

The current offensive front-five have melded over the past four weeks, giving the line the most continuity they’ve had all season. Center Tim Barnes recovered two fourth quarter fumbles on the drive that eventually led to their 23rd point and the victory.

“When you’ve got continuity and they’re playing well together, you’ve got a chance to make plays, especially against really good defenses.” Fisher said. “And we’ve faced some outstanding defenses. But, when there’s change, there’s potential for a setback. Then you’ve got to gain experience together.”

“We’re not knocking people off the ball like we would like to, like we eventually will be able to.” Fisher added. “But, we are protecting the passer. We aren’t attempting a lot of passes, but when we do we’re protecting the passer. We’re getting rid of the ball. These guys are doing a good job downfield. They’re athletic. They’re making the blocks. Our screen game is working. They understand the scheme.”

The Rams will try for a .500 season Sunday at 3:25 in San Francisco.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Personally; I don't mind this critique of Fisher's propensity for 8-8. Don't like it? Change it.

It's a results oriented job.

 

[RamBill]

Finding a way to finish spurred Rams to victory in Seattle
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-to-finish-spurred-rams-to-victory-in-seattle

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Looking back at how the St. Louis Rams fared in three key areas of Sunday's 23-17 win against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field.

1. Finish strong -- The Rams entered Sunday's game with 10 consecutive losses on Seattle's home field. To break that streak, it stood to reason that they would have to check off all three of these boxes and then some. But this was the part they needed to handle the most.

Since coach Jeff Fisher arrived in 2012, the Rams have had a knack for playing the Seahawks close for a half or three quarters before giving in and losing in the fourth quarter. In two of those three meetings, the Rams held halftime leads, only to watch the game slip away in the final 30 minutes. Before Sunday, the Rams had been outscored by a cumulative 36 points in the second half of that trio of meetings, including a 20-0 difference in a 20-6 loss at Seattle to close the 2014 season.

But something finally changed Sunday when the Rams were able to do enough in the second half to get a win. To be clear, they still got outscored 14-7 in the second half but one of those Seattle scores was a meaningless touchdown with 27 seconds left. Of more importance was the 2-yard touchdown run from back Todd Gurley, which came after the Seahawks drove down and scored. Gurley's touchdown gave the Rams back the two-score lead that had just vanished moments before. It was the kind of response they hadn't been able to muster in Seattle recently, and it was enough to allow the Rams to lead the entire game.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Rams' wire-to-wire win ended Seattle's NFL record streak of 62 consecutive games in which it held a lead at some point in the game.

2. Todd Gurley's Seattle debut -- Apparently, Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett wasn't all that impressed with the Rams' rookie running back, calling him average after the game.

But what Gurley did in Seattle was better than average against the Seahawks' vaunted run defense. Seattle entered the game stout against the run, ranking third in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and fourth in yards allowed per carry. And the Rams had struggled to run the ball in Seattle during their long losing streak.

Gurley didn't find much running room most of the day, but he did it when it counted, finishing with 19 carries for 85 yards and the game-clinching touchdown. Gurley's 85 yards were the second most by a running back against Seattle this season and his 4.47 yards per carry was the third-best outing by a runner against Seattle this year.

3. Big plays and turnovers -- The Rams somehow won the first matchup against Seattle despite being minus-two in turnover margin. They did it because they were able to make so many big plays. In that game, St. Louis had eight plays of 20-plus yards, which accounted for 223 of their 352 yards in the game. In addition, Tavon Austin had a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown that helped tip the scales in the Rams' favor.

But to break the losing streak in Seattle, the Rams needed to add turnover margin to their big plays. And that's exactly what they did. The Rams were plus-three in turnover margin, including a scoop and score by linebacker Akeem Ayers that set the tone early and staked the Rams to a lead. Just as important, the Rams had zero giveaways, though they came close until center Tim Barnes fell on a pair of fumbles.

The big plays weren't as prevalent, as the Rams had only two plays of 20-plus yards on Sunday. But they made one of them really count as quarterback Case Keenum hit receiver Kenny Britt for a 28-yard touchdown. Meanwhile, Seattle only had three such strikes, making this a relative wash and helping the Rams find a victory in Seattle.

 

[RamBill]

Fumble recoveries, win take Tim Barnes back to high school days
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...-win-take-tim-barnes-back-to-high-school-days

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- In the immediate aftermath of Sunday's 23-17 win against the Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams center Tim Barnes was twice asked questions that jarred him back to memories of his days at Pettis County Northwest High in Hughesville, Missouri.

Barnes had just recovered two fumbles in a span of three plays on a fourth-quarter drive that ultimately gave the Rams the decisive six points, two hustle plays that earned him a game ball from head coach Jeff Fisher. Barnes was also basking in the glow of the Rams' first win in Seattle since Jan. 8, 2005.

Asked when the last time he touched the ball in a game other than his regular snapping duties, Barnes had to hop in the way back machine.

“Not since I was in high school and I had to do emergency running back," Barnes said. "That was a long time ago. We had run out of guys. Let’s see, that year I was a freshman, so I was probably only 20 pounds lighter and the same height. I was a big kid in high school.”

Indeed, that was a long time ago, which is also a similar timeframe to when the Rams last beat the Seahawks on their home field.

"Yes, I was a junior in high school," Barnes said. "It means a lot. Especially what’s happened this year, the last four or five weeks, what’s been going on. We as an O-line, I thought we played really well today."

While the actual evaluation of how the offensive line played will offer a better insight on who played the best, it'd be hard to argue that any of the front five came up with more important plays than Barnes' two recoveries.

After Seattle scored to make it 16-10, the Rams' lead appeared to be in peril early in the fourth quarter. On third-and-1 at Seattle's 40, running back Benny Cunningham burst through the hole for a conversion but lost the ball as he tried to move the pile. The ball squirted ahead another 5 yards where it looked like Seattle safety Earl Thomas was going to recover. But Barnes dived in at the last second and successfully wrestled it away.

Despite some confusion, the officials eventually got the call right as Barnes held on for dear life.

"You are the bottom of the pile and you’re just trying to do whatever you can to get the ball and luckily I had just left enough in me to keep a hold of it," Barnes said. "And the refs saw it well enough to know I had the ball."

Crisis was averted for the moment, but two plays later, running back Todd Gurley burst off left tackle, leaping over a defender for a gain of 20 yards before he, too, lost the ball at Seattle's 9. Again, the ball bounced forward before Barnes recovered at Seattle's 2. This time, there was no debate as Barnes scooped it up cleanly.

"I was just trying to follow the play and I happened to be behind him and it was a good, clean recovery," Barnes said.

Three plays later, Gurley scored on a 2-yard touchdown run that would turn out to be the deciding points. But none of that would have been possible had Barnes not been Timmy on the Spot for those two fumbles.

"What can you say about Tim Barnes?" Fisher said. "That’s great effort, great effort. You never want to see the balls on the ground but we got some bounces and Tim made two big plays.”

To be sure, there's a bit of luck involved in recovering fumbles but in many ways Barnes and the Rams made their own luck. By following the ball and hustling downfield, Barnes put himself in position to come up with the ball when his team had to have it the most.

“It seemed like Timmy had the magic touch getting all those back, so it was huge,” quarterback Case Keenum said.

“You’ve got to follow the ball," Barnes said. "That’s what we try to do on every play. That’s what we do as an O-line. We try and chase the ball, keep guys from hitting our guys downfield. That’s something we want to do. That’s something we preach; that’s what coaches preach to us: If you’re around the pile at the end, good stuff will happen. And today, it just fell in our favor.”

 

[jjab360]

Rams win game. Bernie begins article with this:

Sigh.

Where to begin?

Jesus Christ, this guy needs to get laid..

 

[Mojo Ram]

They’re 7-0 when they score 20 or more points and 0-8 when they score less than 20.

Bam!

 

[Mojo Ram]

The same old questions pop to the surface.

Why is it that Coach Fisher can be 4-1 vs. the NFC West this season — which includes a 3-1 record against the bully squads from Arizona and Seattle — only to go 4-7 against mostly weaker, non-division foes? And with a win Sunday in San Francisco, the Rams would finish with a 5-1 record against NFC West rivals. If you go 4-1 (or 5-1) in a tough division, that should book you into the postseasons. But it hasn’t worked out that way for Fisher in St. Louis.

Why is it that Coach Fisher is 11-11-1 vs. the NFC West in his four seasons as Rams coach, only to go 16-24 (.400) against opponents outside the division? In case you were wondering, here’s how the NFC West teams have fared against each other since Fisher took over the Rams in 2012:

Seattle, 14-9 … .608 winning percentage.

St. Louis, 11-11-1 … .500 winning percentage.

San Francisco, 10-12-1 … .456 winning percentage.

Arizona, 10-13 … .435 winning percentage.

The Rams have the second-best division record over the last four seasons — but are the only NFC West contingent to fail to make the postseason during that time. Seattle is headed to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Seahawks have won the NFC championship in each of the last two years, and were the Super Bowl champs for the 2013 season. San Francisco has made the playoffs twice since 2012, and won the NFC championship in ’12. Arizona is thriving under third-year head coach Bruce Arians, and has qualified for the postseason for a second consecutive year. The Rams have the only postseason goose egg in the NFC West.

But that isn’t surprising — even with their solid division record mixed in there.

I just showed you how the Rams rank second in the division for best record in division games since 2012. OK, now here’s each team’s four-season record against non-division opponents since the start of ’12:

Seattle, 31-9 … .775 winning pct.

Arizona, 29-11 … .725 winning pct.

San Francisco, 25-15 … .625 winning pct.

St. Louis, 16-24 … .400 winning pct.

Good grief. That’s the eternal Fisher mystery. He’s done an outstanding job of getting his Rams prepared and inspired to take on division rivals. But when the Rams venture outside the NFC West, they’ve flopped. Even though the Rams have won more games vs. division rivals than any team but Seattle, they’re way down on the NFL list in overall winning percentage since 2012.

I had posted these numbers about a month ago and i agree with Bernie...WTF is going on here?
Why? How? There has to be an answer. I still believe in Fisher, but these numbers are more than just a trend. They are borderline deliberate.