Great post. Lots of thoughts there. I agree that too much has been made out of MS's BAD games. If I remember right he got a pick 6 charged against him on a perfect throw right through Higbee's hands. That sort of thing will kill a QB's stats. It should've been a competition for X yards but instead it goes as an interception which kills your QBR. Also, that horrendous pass he threw for an interception he was throwing from deep in his own end zone, with no room to escape and with a huge rush. Somebody missed a block. Of course he should've thrown the ball. He should've taken the sack to like for the next play but you can understand the panic. Look what the Cards QB did on the last play when he saw an unblocked Aaron Donald rushing his way. He curled up in a ball. Happens. I also never blame the QB if he gets blindsided and sacked resulting in a fumble. I don't see how they don't always fumble. Anyway, certainly MS was better MN than he was against the Titans, Niners and Packers, but he had better blocking. A better game plan. The Rams played a great game.
