To New Orleans we go..

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It’s going to happen... no sense to not see the obvious of playing in NO!

I hope so. But if I’m being honest, I was kind of worried playing the Cardinals today.

The playoff field is tough. Seattle, Chicago, Min/Philly - there aren’t any cupcakes slipping in.
 
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So what about Gurley next week, do you rest him again and ride CJ Anderson and Kelly? Both the Bears and the RAMS play at 4:25 so unfortunately the RAMS don’t get to see what the Bears do therefore the RAMS need to ball out against the 49ers. Can they afford to gamble and sit Gurley? I think they can beat the 49ers straight up so I’m leaning towrads sitting Gurley and hopefully he gets a full three weeks to recover and get ready for the divisional playoff game probably against the Bears in LA.
 
Another Small detail to consider.

Saints LT Armstead reaggravated his torn Pec today.

The Saints offense has really struggled when he has been out.
This right here.

When people talk about the Saints struggles on offense they forget to mention the absence of one of the best LT in the NFL this year. With him in we are a completely different team, but when he is out (or has an aggravating arm) we are meh. He has missed the last few weeks, and our offense shows it.

He needs rest.
 
If we play NO, we can beat them. NO's defense is still leaky. Our defense is also leaky. IMO, the difference is that NO lacks secondary options in the passing game behind Thomas and Kamara. If Talib can hold Thomas in check, Wade can double Kamara. The question then becomes if we can pressure Brees and stop the run well enough. If we can do those two things, we can beat NO. That all said, both teams have a long ways to go before we play each other.

In our first game against NO, the refs weren't calling holding. If they at least call the blatant ones, this may change the narrative. That and us being down 21 in the first half didn't help.
 
I hope so. But if I’m being honest, I was kind of worried playing the Cardinals today.

The playoff field is tough. Seattle, Chicago, Min/Philly - there aren’t any cupcakes slipping in.
There generally isn't cupcakes that slip into the playoffs. I have full confidence until we get to NO and even then I think we win a tough fought back and forth game.

Ill bet you some ROD>?
 
Is that where you're hosting a Super Bowl victory party for Rams fans?
 
So what about Gurley next week, do you rest him again and ride CJ Anderson and Kelly? Both the Bears and the RAMS play at 4:25 so unfortunately the RAMS don’t get to see what the Bears do therefore the RAMS need to ball out against the 49ers. Can they afford to gamble and sit Gurley? I think they can beat the 49ers straight up so I’m leaning towrads sitting Gurley and hopefully he gets a full three weeks to recover and get ready for the divisional playoff game probably against the Bears in LA.
Now that's the million dollar question my man!

After thinking it through unlike other positions RB doesn't need to warm etc like Gurley didn't play in the preseason, I sit him next game and Run CJ and make sure to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

CJ needs a bit more reps. conditioning, and playing time to get him back into the fold of playing. What do you think they do?
Another Small detail to consider.

Saints LT Armstead reaggravated his torn Pec today.

The Saints offense has really struggled when he has been out.

This right here.

When people talk about the Saints struggles on offense they forget to mention the absence of one of the best LT in the NFL this year. With him in we are a completely different team, but when he is out (or has an aggravating arm) we are meh. He has missed the last few weeks, and our offense shows it.

He needs rest.
Yes! That's a hell of an assessment that I didn't hear any of the post game media speak about! My question is how long is he going to be out? Because if it's anything like before that's really going to hurt the saints in the playoff run. Curious to see how it plays out this week with the injury.
If Rams play Saints in NFC Championship Game, we be talking:

"REVENGE"
Have you ever heard Revenge is the sweetest thing next to getting pussy? ;)
In our first game against NO, the refs weren't calling holding. If they at least call the blatant ones, this may change the narrative. That and us being down 21 in the first half didn't help.

Honestly not saying calls or overall better but I think the league the last few weeks have made a emphasis on holding and done better than they have. Not saying by any means league wide its totally good but it's quite a bit better than it was when we playing in NO. Hoping we don't get a shit ref crew versus them and it's a fairly called game.
 
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My dad, who started going to Ram games in 1949 and bought season seats in 1951 before I came along or even came of age always believed in the maxim:
Good teams can win anywhere and the fans don't play the game. I guess it's more complicated than that b/c the Rams, as I recall never have won a playoff game in Lambeau, Minnesota's old Metropolitan Stadium or in Soldier Field (1985) but if we have to play the Saints in their Dome then the maxim applies.
 
My dad, who started going to Ram games in 1949 and bought season seats in 1951 before I came along or even came of age always believed in the maxim:
Good teams can win anywhere and the fans don't play the game. I guess it's more complicated than that b/c the Rams, as I recall never have won a playoff game in Lambeau, Minnesota's old Metropolitan Stadium or in Soldier Field (1985) but if we have to play the Saints in their Dome then the maxim applies.
Honestly if we have to go play anywhere NO is the best place or team can play. It's a dome with no weather factored in just noise.
 
So what about Gurley next week, do you rest him again and ride CJ Anderson and Kelly? Both the Bears and the RAMS play at 4:25 so unfortunately the RAMS don’t get to see what the Bears do therefore the RAMS need to ball out against the 49ers. Can they afford to gamble and sit Gurley? I think they can beat the 49ers straight up so I’m leaning towrads sitting Gurley and hopefully he gets a full three weeks to recover and get ready for the divisional playoff game probably against the Bears in LA.
Sit Gurley Anderson looks real solid. Great to have Gurley ready with an additional week to be 100% ready.
 
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Let's do this a game at a time folks. The Rams have to secure the bye first...then there's the opponent before the NFC Championship.

Until the Ram defense stops needing a half to figure things out, I'm not thinking about anything but the next game because even though the Rams looked better, teams like the Hags, Bears and Saints have got things going at the right time while the Rams just got things corrected.

The Niners are gonna play the Rams hard. This win is needed to secure a bye.

None of these NFC teams are an easy out in the playoffs and I'm not convinced the Ram defense is on their game!
 
Well, we shouldn’t cross bridges before we even come to them.

However...

In a hypothetical playoff re-match in the Dome, I like the Rams chances because several things will be different this time.

Talib will not only be back, but should be up to 100% game speed. This should at least partially neutralize that pesky Thomas.

McVay is now using the 12 personnel sets. This should promote the running game and win TOP, possibly giving Rams a 10 minute advantage which will give Ram D more rest AND keep Mr Brees on the damned sideline.

The Ram D is showing some signs of life with improved scoring D and some fire from Mr Suh.

In the first Saints game, Dante Fowler had just arrived days before and wasn’t a factor in the game. But he definitely will be in a re-match.

Sooooo...
 
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If we play NO, we can beat them. NO's defense is still leaky. Our defense is also leaky. IMO, the difference is that NO lacks secondary options in the passing game behind Thomas and Kamara. If Talib can hold Thomas in check, Wade can double Kamara. The question then becomes if we can pressure Brees and stop the run well enough. If we can do those two things, we can beat NO. That all said, both teams have a long ways to go before we play each other.

Yeah the thing people overlook with the Saints is they don't have a vertical element in their passing game. Brees' arm isn't what it once was, and it never was strong. Problem is in that first game we couldn't even cover Thomas what with Talib being out, so this next time IF we get to that game I like our chances as well.

Take away Brees' easy throws and roll that secondary up on him. Really hope we get another shot at them.
 
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You have to take into account Ted Ginn. Yesterday was his first game back and he had 8 targets, 5 catches, and 74 yards. You can double MT, but now (unlike the last game) you have to account for Ginn.
 
Yeah the thing people overlook with the Saints is they don't have a vertical element in their passing game. Brees' arm isn't what it once was, and it never was strong. Problem is in that first game we couldn't even cover Thomas what with Talib being out, so this next time IF we get to that game I like our chances as well.

Take away Brees' easy throws and roll that secondary up on him. Really hope we get another shot at them.

Amen Merlin. I love me some Brees This second game is going to be totally different and I'm going to love silencing that crowd.


You have to take into account Ted Ginn. Yesterday was his first game back and he had 8 targets, 5 catches, and 74 yards. You can double MT, but now (unlike the last game) you have to account for Ginn.

We won't have to doulbe Thomas with Talib in and might have to roll coverage some but Talib will be able to handle him where he isn't the sole factor in deciding the game. With that said we face Ginn many a times and nothing he has scares me that can't be handled. If your LT is down for the that game will be the big deciding factor in shifting the balance.

As far as the noise there is nothing else that warrants a benefit your way your way in that dome. With the athletes we have we will be able to run up and down the field scoring like we did before and your going to have to contain AD for a second time. Very unlikely.
 
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