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Speed_Kills
this just doesn't look like a SB caliber team... I know they are 11-2 but the Rams are very flawed
1) McVay - listen I have been vocal about it and I know some of you don't like it. But his coaching lost that game the other night... and I'm getting tired of him saying he keeps forgetting about Todd or hes got to put the players in better position for plays. He has to be better than Sunday... has to be.
2) Goff two games in a row just looks like a mess. I will just leave it at that. I am concerned
3) Is Gurley hurt? Why does this coach abandon the run when he feels like he can't run out of 3 WR sets. Has someone asked him? This is a problem... you cannot abandon the run when you have Todd Gurley. Especially in an otherwise close game. That game the other night resembled so many of the Martz games from back in the GSOT days. [
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4) the defense gave up 200 yards rushing on Sunday. That has to be the quietest 200 yards rushing game ever but nonetheless they did.
5) this defense has allowed spectacular games this year - Jared Cook, Michael Thomas, Tyrek Hill, & Seahawks 200 yards and 275 yards rushing games, ....those are just off the top of my head
The Rams have a chance to nail down that 2nd seed... they finish with Eagles @ home, @ Cards, SF @ home... they need to win each and should. Some would say and easily. There will be no resting the starters this year. I thought the Rams would blow out the Eagles but I don't believe that now. I believe that game is going to be like most Ram games this year a high scoring nail biter.
Why do I believe that? Because that's what they have shown all year
The Rams are 11-2 but they really aren't 11-2 good IMO not in the traditional sense and honestly with the way they are playing right now Seattle, Dallas, & Chicago could all come to LA and beat them.
The Rams better get it together
1. Give Goff time to throw and McVay's play calling will look better.
2. Give Goff time to throw and he will stop slumping.
3. I agree that McVay "should" have stuck with the run but there was, IMO, a pretty compelling argument made earlier today on this board that the lack of success in the running game was hindering drives. Argument taken with a grain of salt but certainly could be something there.
4. I honestly don't think stopping the run is as paramount to Wade as it used to be. I'm sure it is still very important but I get the feeling that getting to the QB is more important, especially if you have a high scoring offense to back you up. Of course when you have 3 people blocking one guy you'd think someone else would do something.... Bears QB ran a few times and I think the Bears had a few long runs that probably skewed things a bit.
5. The defense is beyond disappointing. Its been tough to watch the Rams not be able to stop any remotely competent offense. Like Suh said before the season started, it looks good on paper but in reality... Like if the Beatles were produced by Nickleback... its music but it sucks. The Rams are 11-2 and I don't think I'm really enjoying the season. I know winning is everything in football... its just not who I am.
Last year I said the Rams overachieved and their regular season record was a little inflated. So I was not buying into the SB thing until recently when it became clear that there were very few to zero teams that looked SB worthy. I'm not sure the Rams are overachieving like they did last season but they could certainly have 9 wins and that wouldn't surprise anyone based on their overall play.
Last year disciplined, fast defenses altered McVay's trickster approach... Same thing with the Bears.
I'm chalking the loss up to just a bad day as the most simple answer. But its not inconceivable that things could remain lackluster. The Rams could have trouble with each remaining game.
I think they have a great shot at winning out and the SB if they can give Goff plenty of time. To me that the key.... but that is often the key for any team's success. Otherwise the Rams have enough talent and good enough coaching to be competitive but the games might be decided by the way the ball bounces more often.