Just sayin... So far I've bee right on with my prognosticationablity. I'm seeing a few of the Rams and Hawks games differently at this point so I've made a couple of revisions based upon my thoughts on this last day of November, 2017.I don't post a lot and I'm sure many of you will have other views. I'm trying to look at this from a realistic point of view with a young team that's had many things go its way so far this year. Very few of the Rams players have ever been in a play-off hunt and I think the pressure gets to them a couple of times.
I do think that the Vikings game is the key to an 11 wins season vs. a 13 win season. After beating the Boys at home, if the Rams could knock off the Vikings at home, they may simply be unstoppable in regular season play.
So, let me know what you guys think (as if I had to ask)....
NFL WEEK 10 RAMS vs. Houston -- Predicted Outcome Rams Win -- Record 7 - 2
CORRECT*With the loss of Watson, Houston is one-dimensional and if the Rams can gear themselves to stop the running game, it should be pretty easy to do. Houston’s defense is not what it was supposed to be due to key injuries as well. Rams win.
HAWKS vs. @ Arizona -- Predicted Outcome Hawks Win -- Record 6 - 3
CORRECT*I don’t think the Hawks will blow the Cardinals out and it’s even possible the Cards could pull this one out if the Hawks are looking beyond them. Home field keeps is close for the Cards but Hawks win.
NFL WEEK 11 RAMS vs. @ Vikings -- Predicted Outcome Rams Lose -- Record 7 - 3
CORRECT*I just don’t know… I’m feeling the Vikings win a close one at home but I can’t decide if that’s because I think the Vikes are the better team or if I just think the Rams are due for a loss here. The thing is, if the Rams did when this one, they could run the table and have a record of 14-2. My gut says the Rams young players will have a hard time on the road here. (See Hawks Week 15)
HAWKS vs. Falcons -- Predicted Outcome Falcons Win -- Record 6 - 4
CORRECT*The Falcons are likely to play desperate at this point and I’m betting they get the running game going over the previous couple of weeks. If ATL gets their offense going again… Hawks can’t score enough points to beat them.
NFL WEEK 12 RAMS vs. Saints -- Predicted Outcome Rams Win -- Record 8 - 3
CORRECT*Rams fuming over close loss to Vikings and I just don't think the Saints are that good. Unless Brees has a record setting day, Rams win by at least 10 points.
HAWKS vs. @ 49ers -- Predicted Outcome Hawks Win -- Record 7 - 4
CORRECT*Hawks fighting to stay in the hunt, 9ers playing to try to get the new QB on the field. Easy victory for Seattle.
NFL WEEK 13 RAMS vs. @ Cardinals -- Predicted Outcome Rams Win -- Record 9 - 3
*Rams still playing games that count and will have confidence after the trouncing they gave Zona in London. Rams win easily but not 33 – 0 easy.
HAWKS vs. Eagles -- Predicted Outcome Eagles Win -- Record 7 - 5
*I think the Eagles are the team to beat in the NFC. The addition of Ajayi is going to make them better as he’s learned to catch the ball out of the backfield since last season. Eagle’s defense good enough to keep Seattle points down and Seattle’s defense will give up at least 24 points. Eagles win.
NFL WEEK 14 RAMS vs. Eagles -- Predicted Outcome Rams Lose -- Record 9 - 4
*Eagles will be coming off a big win over Seattle and will definitely have some swagger. Not sure that the slow starts of the Ram’s defense can stop Philly from putting up 17 points or so before they figure things out. I think the Rams can score some points too, but I’m looking at a high scoring affair where the rams come up 3 – 7 points short.
***11/30/17 - I'm much closer today to thinking the Rams can win this game, than I was a few weeks ago. In looking at who Philly has, and hasn't had to play, their record may be bloated due to playing so many teams with losing records. Was similar for the Rams, but I sure think Rams are closing the gap and while I still expect the Rams to lose, I wouldn't be shocked if they won at this point.HAWKS vs. @ Jaguars -- Predicted Outcome Hawks Win -- Record 8 - 5
*The Jags will have petered out by this point of the season. Fournette will be bumped and bruised and teams will continue to load up the box to try to make Bortles beat them. Jags tremendous defense is tired by this point of the season and the Hawks roll over them.
NFL WEEK 15 RAMS vs. @ Hawks -- Predicted Outcome Rams Lose -- Record 9 - 5
****11/30/17**** Revised to Rams Win - Record 10-4*I’ll preface this with the idea that if the Rams can manage to beat the Vikes in week 11, it would go a long way to me rethinking this game. At this point, playing in Seattle, with such a young team, and so much likely on the line, I have to give the advantage to the Seahawks. I expect this one to come down to a field goal or huge special team play but, for now, I’d put my money on the Hawks in a straight-up bet.
I just think the losses that Seattle has already had at home, combined with the losses in the defensive backfield, and the fact that the Rams know how to defend Russel Wilson Now add up to a Rams win.HAWKS vs. Rams -- Predicted Outcome Hawks Win -- Record 9 - 5
***11/30/17***Revised to Rams Win -- Record 8-6*See above
*See aboveNFL WEEK 16 RAMS vs. @ Titans -- Predicted Outcome Rams Win -- Record 10 - 5
***11/30/17*** Record revised due to win vs Hawks - Record 11-4*Like Houston, I expect the Titans not to be too dangerous through the air. Rams will “spy” Mariotta with Ogletree or Barron to limit his rushing yards and Rams do not want to give up the chance to win the division here and they put up enough points against an average defense to get back in to the win column.
HAWKS vs. @ Cowboys -- Predicted Outcome Hawks Lose -- Record 9 - 6
***11/30/17*** Record revised due to Hawks loss to Rams - Record 8 -7*I’m seeing this similar to the ATL game but the Boys have a better defense. It’s in Big D and that makes the difference because Dallas will be fighting for a wildcard birth as well. Boys win a close one.
***11/30/17*** This turns in to a pride game because neither team is looking like they'll make the playoffs. Playing at home vs a banged up Hawks D gives the Boys a W.NFL WEEK 17 RAMS vs. 49ers -- Predicted Outcome Rams Win -- Record 11 - 5
***11/30/17*** Revised due to win over Hawks. Record 12 - 4*I’d love to see the Rams with 13 wins by this point so they could rest key players and not risk injury in what will be a heated match simply due to the long-term rivalry. But, if I’m sticking to my guns, they don't have that many wins at this point. Rams come out and punch 9ers in the face in the first half to put up enough points to rest key players in the 2nd half. Rams win.
HAWKS vs. Arizona -- Predicted Outcome Hawks Win -- Record 10 – 6
***11/30/17*** Revised as per above. Record 8 - 8*At this point of the season the Cards will be playing for nothing but a high-round draft pick that may be high enough to land them a Carson Palmer replacement. Hawks will be fighting for division crown because they own the tie breaker vs. the Rams or a wild card spot. Hawks win easily.
***11/30/17***Revised point... Same for the Cards. Hawks just barely better and playing with huge pride to avoid a losing season.LA RAMS ARE NFC WEST CHAMPS AND PLAY AT HOME UNTIL THEY FACE PHILLY IN THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
***11/30/17*** Revised: I really thought the Vikes were going to have "petered out" by this point. But they sure look to be getting better and better. They have a couple of tough games left but at this point, I think the Rams end up as the #3 seed, even with a 12-4 record.AND WE (OR MOST OF US) WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH 8 OR 9 WINS THIS YEAR. WHO WOULDA THUNK IT.
