I'm tired of all the SB talk & expectations Yes, we are the betting favorites and today, on paper, arguably the most talented team in the NFL. But it seems everyone is putting us into the SB and there are fans of 31 other teams that will be looking at ways to further rub any failure in our face until then. I am optimistic every year and very excited about this coming season but I know how things go sideways when least expected so I've grown weary over such lofty expectations. It's still just one game at a time and greatness is earned, never given. So, first up are the hated 49er's. Let's win this one and then worry about the next one and let the chips fall as they will. Most of life's miseries come from unmet expectations. So I'm doing my best to avoid them.https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251534#msg-1251534Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:04:09 -0400 Phorum 5.2.18 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251698#msg-1251698 Re: Enjoy it while you canhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251698#msg-1251698
I do think McVay is a special coach... but he has some talent on the team too and that embiggins the production... paraphrasing Jebidiah Springfield. So if the talent level can remain then I think that is likely the most important factor... At the same time McVay is part of that as well. No Trung Canidates.]]> Atlantic Ram RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Sep 2026 17:54:12 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251697#msg-1251697 Re: Enjoy it while you canhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251697#msg-1251697
Quote
merlin
Someday McVay will move on, and this team might return to nobody expecting anything from them in the offseason, so you'll be looking back fondly on all this.
)))))

Sad but probably true.]]> Killrazor RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Sep 2026 17:09:44 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251689#msg-1251689 Enjoy it while you canhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251689#msg-1251689 merlin RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Sep 2026 15:49:42 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251625#msg-1251625 Re: I'm tired of all the SB talk & expectationshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251625#msg-1251625 Ramkind41 RamsFootballFans.comWed, 02 Sep 2026 02:33:39 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251618#msg-1251618 I'm superstitioushttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251618#msg-1251618
I love hearing the media talk about how good this team is leading up to the season. But I also know that it puts a huge target on our back with opposing players, coaches, their fans and especially the media. Every stumble, bumble and fumble will be over-analyzed, criticized and highlighted by everyone, sometimes even ourselves. The problem with being over- hyped is the more there is, the higher the pedestal rises and the rougher the landing if one falls.

So let the season start. Let's make that hype a reality. I just prefer the underdog status, I guess because of my optimism that we could knock a team down a few rungs was enjoyable. But now that has been reversed so let's buckle up, be humble and enjoy the ride.]]> Ramboni RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 23:50:41 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251614#msg-1251614 Agree with both of you nmhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251614#msg-1251614 Speed_Kills RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 21:53:40 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251613#msg-1251613 no kidding.......https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251613#msg-1251613 21Dog RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 21:50:28 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251612#msg-1251612 Right! Nmhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251612#msg-1251612 Speed_Kills RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 21:49:17 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251604#msg-1251604 Re: I'm tired of all the SB talk & expectationshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251604#msg-1251604 73Ram RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 20:08:50 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251603#msg-1251603 Can’t disagree morehttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251603#msg-1251603 Hazlet Hacksaw RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 20:07:36 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251600#msg-1251600 i agree, beats talking draft by Oct. 1sthttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251600#msg-1251600 Deadpool RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 19:42:54 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251599#msg-1251599 Re: I'm tired of all the SB talk & expectationshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251599#msg-1251599 joram RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 19:42:51 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251596#msg-1251596 I’m embracing it!https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251596#msg-1251596
I hopped around all day yesterday with a giant smile on my face off of the fresh news that AD is coming back. And what has not been adequately reported, but what we know because we live Rams football, is that AD did not come back to simply participate. He’s not wired like that. When he steps on the field, he wants to dominate. So when he decided to come back, it was with the knowledge that he still had it in him. And I trust his assessment! Pairing him with Garrett is unprecedented in NFL history. This would be like Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White teaming up in 1989! To me, this is not hype, it a glorious fact. I didn’t get to see the Fearsome Foursome, so I can’t wait!

So OUR team has the best edge, best DT (yes, I believe that), top 5 shut down corner, top 3 WR, reigning MVP QB and arguably the best head coach. Add that to legit rising stars on the DL, secondary and RB, And look, most of this team ended the past two seasons bitterly disappointed thinking they could’ve won the SB. They’re motivated and grounded by their coaches and veteran leaders..

I agree that expectations can be suffocating, but I also believe this group is more than capable enough to handle it. I’ve said that a loss early in the season might be a good thing to ground everybody, but I also think…screw it…swallow those expectations and embrace perfection! Go out there and and validate those expectations every single play. Dominate like 2001, but finish this time!

It’s not hype…if they stay healthy and execute, they should be THAT good. So I’m embracing it…what a glorious time to be a Rams fan!

GO RAMS!!]]> Youngblood_HOF RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 19:31:35 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251590#msg-1251590 Re: I'm tired of all the SB talk & expectationshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251590#msg-1251590
The NFL is a war zone full of elite and proud warriors. There's no way that the 9ers are just going to lay down for us. They're going to bring everything they got and during McVay's tenure they've 11-7 against us. For some reason they seem to play harder against us than us against them.]]> Coy Bacon RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 18:51:32 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251580#msg-1251580 any year but this one I'd be with you....https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251580#msg-1251580
And to be clear.... the predictions mean next to nothing for me. I'm neither pumped by it, (much anyway), nor worried about it (much anyway). As others have already said.... praise doesn't win ya SB's. I don't go into this season much different than any season in that - got a long way to go, a lot can happen on the way. And some game, sometime, it's even going to require at least a little 'luck'. - JamesJM]]> JamesJM RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 18:08:55 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251572#msg-1251572 One day (all) Ram fanshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251572#msg-1251572
I guess it’s that we have been down in previous years, and some fans just can’t shake that 90s stretch in LA and the St Louis stretch from 2005 - 2015

I love people talking about the Rams. I love when I turn on the sports shows, and they are the lead story. I love them being on primetime; I’m gonna love them being featured on the Sunday late afternoon game of the week

That’s what happens when you are good, and your team is expected to win

I can’t imagine a 9er, Steeler, Patriot, Eagle, Packer, or Chief fan worrying about these kinds of things.

The Rams have won way too many games over the last decade to still have this mentality.

Just sayin’. Just my take]]> Speed_Kills RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 17:49:25 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251554#msg-1251554 Re: I'm tired of all the SB talk & expectationshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251554#msg-1251554 h2omelonhead RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 16:24:05 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251552#msg-1251552 IF the talk were coming from the locker room.....https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251552#msg-1251552
The problem with that is that this team didn't need the build up by the media to be considered the favorites.....I also like what I hear from their very mouths.....Something like.."We're just looking at todays practice"..."We're just building blocks day to day"...."Our feet are in the present"....I could go on with other similar statements by the coaches and players.

I like the talk, because it beats the heck out of what was being said pre Mcvay......now THAT stuff WAS making sick.

This team is a family it really is, not just words of praise....the effing media is talking for what ever their reason(s) are, I'm telling you (feeling) this team isn't taking the bite, not drinking the cool-aide....they know what they have, they know how their wired.....they'll lose games....but they know how to win more than lose.....

IMO winners don't shrink from stuff placed on their shoulders, they feed off it. They're not there to prove the media right, they're there to do a job, claim a goal, take their game to their limits.....Williams says it, Puka says it, Turner says it, BY says it.....it's ingrained by McVay and the staff.]]> roman18 RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 16:17:08 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251546#msg-1251546 Re: I'm tired of all the SB talk & expectationshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251546#msg-1251546
Enough talk, enough hype, next Thursday can't get here soon enough...

LFG!!!]]> kw13 RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 15:45:00 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251538#msg-1251538 Re: I'm tired of all the SB talk & expectationshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251538#msg-1251538 MamaRAMa RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 14:47:56 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251537#msg-1251537 I never liked it eitherhttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251537#msg-1251537
Well, it doesn't work that way. Regardless of how good you are on paper, nothing is guaranteed. You still have to earn those wins.

Sometimes I would much rather be the underdog and defy expectations. :beercan]]> Ramsdude RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 14:45:19 -0400 https://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251534#msg-1251534 I'm tired of all the SB talk & expectationshttps://ramsrule.com/herd/read.php?19,1251534,1251534#msg-1251534
So, first up are the hated 49er's. Let's win this one and then worry about the next one and let the chips fall as they will. Most of life's miseries come from unmet expectations. So I'm doing my best to avoid them.]]> Ramboni RamsFootballFans.comTue, 01 Sep 2026 14:37:36 -0400