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Rams43
One could almost say that it comes down to McVay choosing the ‘least worst’ option.
I leaned slightly toward Wolford last week against the Cards but I now lean slightly toward Goff against the Packers.
Here’s my reasoning...
Goff’s had another week to heal.
Goff has the higher ceiling in case a special type throw becomes necessary.
Packers are a far superior team to Cards and even current Seahawks and I don’t think Wolford is quite ready for a shootout with the Packers whereas Goff just might be.
Goff is better at taking snaps under C which makes it easier to enhance Akers’ running game. Wolford was a 90% shotgun QB vs Cards. This is a huge factor in my thinking.
Look, McVay and the Rams are between a rock and a very hard place here no matter what choice they make.
Playing the #1 seed away and in frigid temps with either a QB with a recently fractured thumb on his throwing hand and possibly experiencing some lack of confidence OR the inexperienced Wolford that seems to need too much shotgun to be effective. Goodness.
But, it’s the playoffs and all teams must play the hand that they’re dealt.
Here is the only scenario that I see where Rams win this game and it’s quite a parlay.
Start Goff.
Establish run game somehow, some way. Won’t be easy because Packers will be selling out to stop the run.
If McVay is saving trick plays then now is the time to use them. Akers on RPO, for example.
Rams D has to play out of their mind again.
Rams need to be +1 on turnovers, maybe +2.
Rams D must make Rodgers VERY uncomfortable for 60 minutes.
ST units must shine. Hekker, Gay, coverage, and return units all must be superb. One error here could be disastrous.
McVay must come up with a ‘genius type’ game plan. Ho hum just won’t do.
Staley must also come up with schemes to frustrate a terrific Packer O. This is the key to the entire game, IMO.
AD must play and play well. This is huge.
One or more Ram players must make ‘hero’ plays in this game. Could be on O, on D, or on ST. Lots of candidates for the Rams, but there better be a few that just do it.
Lots of stuff listed there above, the question is how many can the Rams bring to bear? If Rams accomplish enough of the above then they win. But if the Rams do not or cannot then the Packers win and move on.
If ever there was a game where the Ram teammates need to rally around an injured QB, this is it. I am hopeful that these underdog Rams will rise up and leave it all on the field. Nothing less will do. There are many reasons why the Packers are 7 point favorites. Heck, I’m surprised that it’s not more.
