PREGAME The Ravens up next - Pregame Thread

[tomas]

It's not the same Rams team that Baltimore demolished in 2019- 45 -7. This Rams team is-- more physically stronger-- to stand up to AFC North bullies.

 

[snackdaddy]

On paper it sure looks like a mismatch with their defense against our offense. They're averaging just about 4 sacks per game. Our line has had struggles in pass protection. But they have gotten better lately. So this will be a good test to see how much better.

If we lost last Sunday then I'd say the playoffs were out of reach. Mainly because I expect a loss this Sunday. But we can lose and still get in. As long as we win the 3 games we're supposed to win.

 

[snackdaddy]

I like to browse opponents forums during the week. Surprisingly, they are not over confident. They do think they will win but a number of them think the 7.5 point spread is too high. They expect a tough game from the Rams. If I had a 9-3 team coming off a bye facing a 6-6 team at home with marginal talent on defense, I'd be pretty confident.

 

[FrantikRam]

The Ravens always seem to beat us, and it's usually ugly. I fully expect us to lose by multiple scores.

Agreed. Just a really bad match up for us in general, then factor in on the road and them off a bye? Brutal.

 

[oldnotdead]

Rams going up against Odel Beckham this Sunday.

All the more reason to give them a beat down. If the Rams are going to open eyes this season it will be with this game. Win or lose how well they play will count for something. Most of all McVay has been coaching better the second half of the season.

 

[RamFanWA]

Normally, I'm a realist and don't buy into hype, but I;ve been getting this gut feeling the Rams just might show up and pull out a win. Three game win streak with the OL in sync, both O and D playing very well and with an attitude.

Conditions are right ffor them to beat a better team.

You talk about peaking at the right time - and if good teams do get streaky - then the Rams are right where they want to be. I think it took half a season for them to gel, but they are bringing the sauce lately.

Not sure if too much is made of the bye week - some teams come out flat after the break. Sort of like the first place teams getting a bye in the playoffs - sometimes it negatively affects the flow of what they have been doing. At least I hope so....

 

[oldnotdead]

You talk about peaking at the right time - and if good teams do get streaky - then the Rams are right where they want to be. I think it took half a season for them to gel, but they are bringing the sauce lately.

Not sure if too much is made of the bye week - some teams come out flat after the break. Sort of like the first place teams getting a bye in the playoffs - sometimes it negatively affects the flow of what they have been doing. At least I hope so....

The difference is McVay. Compare his coaching before the bye and after it.

I'm not kidding about him dusting off his 2018 style of offense. There are more elements of that style in his offense than last year. The whole make everything look the same but play it differently concept is back and it's working. McVay has come out with a fire he didn't have the first half in which he seemed beaten down.

The team has responded as I knew they would. They will go into this game expecting to win not just to play well, there is a huge difference. This team is capable of sweeping the remainder of the schedule. If not they will lay the foundations for next year where they willl expect to win every fucking game.

The difference has been the level of coaching. McVay isn't expecting the players to deliver he is demanding it. The entire kicking thing is not lost on the team. Mediocrity isn't good enough. This team hasn't peaked yet.

Consistency will be the key from here on out. They are playing at a high level, but now they must prove it's the norm not the exception. The Ravens are going to be a barometer in many respects, a hostile venue, lousy weather and a good team. I agree the Ravens are good but not unbeatable. The main thing is the Rams cannot beat themselves with mistakes and most of all penalties. This is the kind of game where DK being a penalty machine could lose the game for them. He of all people must play a clean game.

Play clean and simply execute the scheme at a high level and the Rams come out with a win. Win in Baltimore and IMO the Rams probably sweep the second half and finish 11-6. This team is capable of it. Before the season I predicted a 10-7 finish as likely with 14-6 as being achievable. I still believe it.

IMO the Rams lost to the Niners early because of themselves. Next time around I see them beating them. 11-6 may not get them the division but it probably gets them the 5th seed which is better. Regardless they are already giving the media the fucking finger which I absolutely love.

 

[oldnotdead]

PS:

Morris can't leave his boy DK on an island. They need to support him over the top with JJ because the Ravens will definitely give him double moves because DK lacks the athleticism to deal with them.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

The main thing is the Rams cannot beat themselves with mistakes and most of all penalties.

...or the officiating like what caused things to unravel early in Dallas. We're not good enough to overcome that against the top teams. Hope they can call a good game.

 

[oldnotdead]

It's not a matter of being good enough IMO. It's a matter of not allowing things like that to derail them. Consistency is the key. Stay true to themselves and that starts with Sean and how he calls the plays. He can't fall back into his tendency to chase points. He needs to stay disciplined and his team will also. Don't give the zebras the chance to shave those points.

This is where technique or lack thereof will be the determining factor. Execute with good technique and take the zebras out of the equation. There will be games like the Chiefs vs the Packers where the refs will cheat with blatant disregard. There is nothing that the Rams can do about that. That is how the NFL wants to be and we as fans either accept it or not support the NFL.

The Super Bowl was a perfect example of that where the refs refused to see the blatant facemask penalty on Ramsey resulting in a cheap Bengal TD. The Rams simply continued to battle and won. Now the Bengals are a legitimate 6-6 team. Funny how the media makes excuses for them but not when it was happening to the Rams.

I see this franchise as a legit SB contender next year. I think it will be at least 2 years before the Bengals might be able to say that.

 

[0311rams]

first drive Baltimore has the ball the on offense they score as most teams do on the rams, then we are looking at 7-0 or 7-3 or 7-7. I have an idea, maybe don't let them score a td first time they get the ball and make adjustments to keep it that way. make them try to catch up. also, I sure hope Stafford survives this game, if not We have Wentz in the wings, let's hope we don't see him. Go rams.
p.s. let's not have obj celebrating all over the field because of his amazing play, lets stuff him.

 

[oldnotdead]

They will probably scheme OBJ over DK because of how mistake prone he is and can't handle multiple moves by a WR. That is why I say cover him over the top with JJ. But the key will be keeping Jackson in the pocket and unleashing Donald and Turner on him when he's contained. That is when he's most prone to mistakes. Don't let him run or rollout.

 

[Rams8821]

Forecast is turning worse by the day.

Good thing for me I have a SOL poncho.

 

[WestCoastRam]

If defensively they force Jackson to play in the pocket he's less effective.

It's obvious you've never seen Lamar play. Ever.

 

[oldnotdead]

One thing about bad weather is that it sometimes can be an equalizer. The Ravens offense is primarily passing. The Rams run the ball far better than the Ravens. IMO the weather could favor the Rams because of their ability to run the ball. The OL firing off on the Raven DL with wet footing favors the offense.

I hope Williams has a 200 yd game.

 

[oldnotdead]

BTW I've seen Lamar play. This offense is built around his arm and his legs. Contain him and it frustrates him. Their best RB JK Dobbins is on IR I believe.

 

[WestCoastRam]

BTW I've seen Lamar play.

Well, what do you think that's an indictment of

 

[Merlin]

This defensive front isn't very good at containment. Lamar is probably going to run for a ton of first downs. That is the biggest threat with their offense vs our defense, in that we won't be able to get them off the field due to that and their physical line will wear us down.

Lamar also isn't a guy I consider to be a great passer, but he can put the ball anywhere on the field. So not blowing coverages while you're struggling to contain him is always a big focus. I'm of the mind our secondary plays with more discipline this year, though, so it would not surprise me if the back end does a good job. Think their TE is still out for them too, and if true that's a big problem we don't have to deal with.

Stuffing their ground game and containing Lamar will determine how we do on defense. And the offense can't just disappear. That's the other big worry for me in this game. Ravens defense is so hard on QBs that Stafford is going to have to keep that gunslinger personality of his in check. Don't force it when it's not there. Throw it away when you can. Play field position and get points when you're down there. Points are really hard to come by vs Baltimore.

 

[Stl2La]

View: https://x.com/jasrifootball/status/1732841450247708995?s=46&t=gEUcKN5ugzpn7hhJJvpNKw


Could be nothing but it’s something to keep an eye on…

 

[Stl2La]

View: https://x.com/jeffzrebiec/status/1732840731339808932?s=46&t=gEUcKN5ugzpn7hhJJvpNKw