Week 14 Power Rankings

[Rmfnlt]

https://www.bleedinggreennation.com...agles-cowboys-saints-rams-chiefs-patriots-nfc
1 - Los Angeles Rams (Last Week: 2) - The Rams are back on top for the first time since prior to losing to New Orleans. It only took them 13 weeks to officially clinch the NFC West.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...power-rankings-rams-saints-texans/2199251002/
1. Rams (2): Only team with 11 wins. Only team to clinch playoff berth so far. Only team with two bona fide MVP candidates (Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald)

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/1...nkings-week-14-rams-cowboys-chargers-patriots
Teams I really like to watch
I suffered through so many bad Rams seasons, I started to think that’s just how you played the game, one excruciating drive at a time. Now, they’re consistently the most fun team to watch. I don’t even really care about the crappy way they left St. Louis. Hell, we’re all probably better off for having them in Los Angeles anyway. Had they never moved, Jeff Fisher would probably still be the coach, sullying the NFL one pathetic 7-9 season at a time.
My favorite team is the best team. That’s a pretty good way to start the power rankings this week.

https://heavy.com/sports/2018/12/nfl-power-rankings-cowboys-seahawks-week-14/2/
No. 1 Los Angeles Rams
No. 2 New Orleans Saints
The Rams have bounced back with three straight wins since losing to the Saints a month ago. Los Angeles put up a modest 30 points against the Lions in Week 13, but it got the job done. The win sealed the NFC West for the Rams and a postseason birth.

Jared Goff threw for just 207 yards, but it was good enough to win comfortably over the Lions. Todd Gurley had a typical day with 132 yards and two touchdowns.

"We're in a position right now that we feel good about," Rams head coach Sean McVay told ESPN. "If we take care of our business, all the rest of that stuff takes care of itself."

Los Angeles may have secured a playoff spot, but the Rams are still competing with teams like the Saints for home field advantage throughout the postseason. The Rams were able to gain a game on the Saints since they lost to the Cowboys.

The Rams have a difficult upcoming Sunday Night Football matchup against the Bears. We have the Rams ranked above the Saints based on how they have looked as of late and having one less loss than New Orleans.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/nfl...argers-surge-vikings-panthers-sink/ar-BBQrFnC
1. Los Angeles Rams 11-1 (last week: 2)

The Rams took care of the Chiefs and didn't have too much rust against the Lions, taking advantage of the Saints losing in shocking indoor road fashion Thursday. Todd Gurley and the defense looked great after the break.

https://nesn.com/2018/12/nfl-week-14-power-rankings-chargers-cowboys-climb-after-marquee-wins/
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-1; Last week’s rank: 2): The Rams clinched the NFC West with a win over the Detroit Lions and took over the No. 1 seed in the conference in the process. It was a good week for Sean McVay’s crew. Sidenote: Aaron Donald might be the MVP.

.@AaronDonald97 is very, very, VERY good. #ProBowlVote | #LAvsDETpic.twitter.com/Pj8lPtjD5g

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 2, 2018


http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-rankings-where-all-32-teams-rank-no-1-almost
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-1)
Week 13 ranking: 2

We're No. 1 in: Pass-block win rate. Give it up for the big guys up front, where it all starts for the 11-1 Rams and their explosive offense. The offensive line ranks No. 1 in pass-block win rate, defined as when a pass-blocker sustains his block for 2.5 seconds following the snap. The Rams have won 63 percent of their pass blocks, allowing Jared Goff plenty of time to distribute the ball to a host of playmakers. -- Lindsey Thiry


https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...er-bowl-contenders-after-starting-season-0-3/


Rams They continue to win games putting up big numbers on offense. But now they get the ultimate challenge facing a good Bears defense on the road. 1 11-1-0

https://www.mlive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/12/98e361f801790/mlives-week-14-nfl-power-ranki.html
1. Los Angeles Rams (up 1)
Record: 11-1
Last week: Beat the Lions 30-16

They didn't have their sharpest game offensively, and a letdown performance was understandable given that it was a 10 a.m. PT road start in the game between playing the Chiefs and Bears. I still came away more impressed by them as a team, in their mental toughness and selflessness and the high ceiling of their stars. In the moment of these reactionary rankings, this is my favorite to win the Super Bowl.


https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/r...4-49ers-losing-cool-raiders-fighting#slide-39
1. L.A. Rams (11-1)
Previous rank: 2

Defensive Player of the Year should be a floor, not a ceiling. Aaron Donald for MVP.


https://fansided.com/2018/12/03/nfl-power-rankings-week-14-texans-packers/

LOS ANGELES RAMS 11-1
Last week: W, 30-16 at DET
Last rank: 2nd

Recap: The NFC West leaders returned from their off week and were playing the first of two straight road games vs. NFC North teams. The Rams also welcomed back cornerback Aqib Talib, out of action for a few months. And while the latter was still limited in the contest, the rest of the defense stepped up in a big way. Los Angeles gave up 310 total yards but only one touchdown as Aaron Donald and company sacked Matthew Stafford four times and forced him into a pair of turnovers. Meanwhile, running back Todd Gurley had 132 of the Rams’ 149 yards on the ground and rushed for two scores in a game a little closer than the final score may indicate.

Next Week: It’s a second straight meeting with an NFC North squad and McVay’s team will be in the prime time spotlight as the Rams head to the Windy City to battle the first-place Chicago Bears. The teams last met in 2015 at St. Louis and the home team was on the short end of a 37-13 setback.

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And, of course... it wouldn't be a Power Poll thread if we didn't include our old pal, Walter

He continues to exhibit his own, unique style of laziness, as he hasn't changed his outlook on the Rams for weeks.

Hey.. at least he's consistent... in some ways... laziness... and inept. uke::giveup::baghead:

 

[Da-Rock]

Gotta love NFL Network -

Saints #1 because they had good defense and only lost by 3. Not their fault they lost.

Rams #2 because they let the Lions hang around before beating them by 14 points and hey several weeks ago they lost to the Saints.

 

[Farr Be It]

Only team with two bona fide MVP candidates (Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald)

.....aaaaaaannd ????

:rant:Goff! Goooooooofffff!!!

 

[Sleepy1711]

But but...what did Walter say?

 

[bubbaramfan]

Walter preparing for his week 14 Power Rankings


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zHO2EN1JFk

 

[Legatron4]

• 3.
  image: http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/ramsb_logo.gif
  
  
  
  Los Angeles Rams (11-1) - Previously: 3.
  Overrated NFL Team: See why the Rams are an overrated NFL team in our new Overrated-Underrated page.

• 2.
  image: http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/patriotsb_logo.gif
  
  
  
  New England Patriots (9-3) - Previously: 4.
  The Patriots are quietly rounding into shape. They had some severe offensive line injuries when they lost to the Titans prior to the bye, but they're now mostly healthy. With the Chiefs losing Kareem Hunt, the Patriots almost have to be considered the favorites to represent their conference in the Super Bowl.

• 1.
  image: http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/saintsb_logo.gif
  
  
  
  New Orleans Saints (10-2) - Previously: 1.
  The Saints lost some games they shouldn't have at the end of 2009, and yet they were still able to win the Super Bowl that year. I doubt they lose to Dallas in most permutations if they put forth maximum effort. The Saints simply looked like they lacked energy in Dallas, as they just assumed they were going to beat another crappy NFC East team.

Read more at http://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php#zcgVOOW0JGMMqVgM.99

 

[Steve808]

The Rams beat the Chiefs, but only by three despite having so much going for them. They were at home, they had emotion from the wildfires on their side, and they got almost every single call by what almost seemed like a corrupt officiating crew. The Chiefs nearly won, and I imagine they'd prevail at home or a neutral field.

Read more: http://walterfootball.com/overratedunderrated.php#ixzz5Ylcdz7hF

They don't mention that our one loss was at New Orleans and they got almost every single call by what seems like a corrupt officiating crew.

 

[Prime Time]

More from Walter...

http://walterfootball.com/picks.php

NFL Picks (Week 13, 2018): 7-9 (-$630)
NFL Picks (2018): 101-102-10 (-$340)

http://walterfootball.com/nflpicks2018_14late.php

Los Angeles Rams (11-1) at Chicago Bears (8-4)
Line: Rams by 3. Total: 52.5.
Westgate Advance Point Spread: Rams -3.5.
Walt's Calculated Line: Bears -1.
Sunday, Dec 9, 1:00 PM

The Game. Edge: None.

• CHICAGO OFFENSE: It's looking like Mitchell Trubisky will return from his two-game absence. He's back at just the right time, too, as Chase Daniel would've been a sitting duck in the backfield with Aaron Donald rushing in the interior. Donald has been a monster this season, logging 16.5 sacks. He single-handedly disrupted some drives against the Lions, and he'll win in the interior in this contest. The Bears have a good offensive line, but no one can block Donald right now.
  
  That's why it's important for the Bears to have Trubisky available. Trubisky is an inconsistent passer, but his scrambling ability will be enormous in this contest. He'll be able to escape from some Donald sacks. If you look at some of the offenses that have had success against the Rams' defense, they've had quarterbacks who can move around. Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers have all generated a healthy point total against the Rams. Drew Brees did as well, but he's obviously on another plane of existence as far as NFL quarterbacks are concerned.

• 
  Trubisky should be able to buy himself some time to expose Marcus Peters or simply scramble for some nice gains. I also like Tarik Cohen's chances of having a big game, as the Rams' linebackers really struggle to cover. The Rams aren't great against the run either, so Cohen and Jordan Howard will help Trubisky stay out of long-yardage situations.
  
  LOS ANGELES OFFENSE: With apologies to the Ravens, the Bears have the best defense in the NFL. As with Donald, they have a tremendous interior presence in Akiem Hicks, who will make life difficult for Jared Goff. And then there's Khalil Mack, who will be able to win matchups against Andrew Whitworth. Goff is normally extremely well protected, so it'll be interesting to see what happens if he has defenders in his face for most of the evening.
  
  We also haven't seen the Rams play a full game without Cooper Kupp against a good defense yet. They were able to light up the Chiefs' poor stop unit, and they slogged through a sleepy game against the Lions' horrible defense, but the Bears will provide a completely different challenge. Chicago's secondary is excellent and will be able to slow down two dynamic threats. It'd be different if Goff had three potent receivers at his disposal, but that's no longer the case.
  
  Todd Gurley, of course, will be a tremendous threat out of the backfield, but the Bears have one of the best run defenses in the NFL. I think Gurley will have more success as a receiver out of the backfield, but he'll have trouble finding holes to move through on the ground.
  
  RECAP: The Rams should not be three-point road favorites in this matchup. They haven't had a tough battle as visitors yet except for the New Orleans and Seattle games. They lost to the Saints and eked out a two-point victory against the Seahawks. Their next-toughest road tilt was at Denver, which was decided by three points. The Bears are much better than the Seahawks and Broncos.
  
  I'd be higher on the Bears than I am now if I were completely sure that Trubisky were 100 percent. I think he will be, and that's automatically putting me on Chicago for two units. I may increase my wager depending on what I hear about Trubisky as the week progresses, but all indications thus far are that he's fine.
  
  The Psychology. Edge: None.
  No edge found.
  
  The Vegas. Edge: Bears.
  
  
  A good chunk of the action is on the Rams.

• Percentage of money on Los Angeles: 67% (1,000 bets)
  
  The Trends. Edge: None.

• Opening Line: Rams -3.5.

• Opening Total: 54.

• Weather:
  
  Week 14 NFL Pick: Bears 30, Rams 27
  Bears +3 (2-4 Units)
  Over 52.5 (0 Units)