The Rams were leading the power rankings going into the final game. After a 34-13 loss to the 49ers, they dropped to third place in the final power rankings for the 2017 season. Although the final game was meaningless, all games must be treated with equal weight in an objective ranking system. Todd Gurley lost the rushing title, but Greg Zuerlein hung on to lead the NFL in scoring with 158 pointsby L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
Even worse than the preseason.by L.A.Rams - Game Time Forum
The #3 seed is potentially valuable to the Rams only if they make it to the NFC Championship. In order to do that, they need to knock off one of the top two seeds. If that happens, there is probably close to a 50% chance they would host the NFC Championship. I base that estimate on an assumption that the Saints and Panthers are of comparable strength to the Eagles and would have a good chance ofby L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
1999 -- the great Super Bowl team led by Dick Vermeil, Mike Martz, Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, and Isaac Bruce 2017 -- a rebirth under a brilliant young coach; perhaps the best balanced Rams team ever, with an offense on the verge of scoring 500 points, a defense with perhaps the best player in the NFL in Aaron Donald, and the strongest special teams in the NFL; lots of other exceptional younby L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
I think it was worth it because Watkins has made significant contributions this season. However, it doesn't appear that he would be worthy of a big contract.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
All that matters are the facts related to this season, which include that the top two seeds are led by journeyman quarterbacks, one of those teams lost their starter, two of the lower seeds (Saints and Panthers) are led by veteran quarterbacks (Brees and Newton) who have taken their teams to the Super Bowl, and those lower seeds would have a good chance of prevailing against either of the top twoby L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
I am aware of those facts. However, I was replying to a comment about the 7-1 road record. None of the road games during the regular season was comparable to playing in Philadelphia or Minnesota in January. If the Rams win the WC game, they will have to travel to one of those sites in the next round. If they are able to win that road game, there is a good chance (perhaps better than 50-50) that tby L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
...were in Philadelphia in January?by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
None of this discussion will matter unless the Rams win the WC game. Resting key players could make a difference in the WC game, but it is important to look down the road to the ultimate objective. We shall see how it plays out. It is a good thing that the final regular season isn't against a team that is still trying to make the playoffs. In that case, the Rams might be criticized for not takingby L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
The Eagles could indeed be more vulnerable, but it will be mid January in Philadelphia. If they get that far and win, it would be nice to have the NFC Championship at home.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
McVay is in many ways the most brilliant young coach that has ever come along, but he has blind spots. This one could end up costing the Rams a trip to the Super Bowl.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
Can't blame critics for calling it as they see it.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
...#1 points scored (need 35 to reach 500), #1 points differential, Gurley leads the NFL in rushing and in TDs, Goff is #5 rated passer, Kupp #1 leading rookie receiver, Zuerlein #1 scorer, and Cooper #1 in KO returns and #2 in punt returns. Here is the URL for the power rankings:by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
I would prefer to see the Rams beat up on a different team. They have already brutalized the Seahawks. How could it get any better than that? It would be perfect if the Seahawks miss the playoffs, and then the Rams beat someone else in the opening game of the playoffs.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
The way Todd Gurley accelerated on the 80 yard TD reminded me of Eric Dickerson on the 85 yard TD against the Jets in 1983.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
If they get the #3 seed, it could ultimately earn them the right to host the NFC Championship game.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
The #3 seed will be at stake. Considering that the #1 and #2 seeds are rather weak at QB, there could easily be an upset. If so, the #3 seed could ultimately result in the Rams hosting the NFC Championship game.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
If the Rams hadn't given away three games with fumbles, they would be 13-1 and in a position to nail down the #1 seed. The losses to the Seahawks and Vikings were mainly to fumbles at the one yard line. It's hard to win a game when that happens. I don't think there is any question that this cost them the game with the Seahawks. Against the Vikings, they could have gone ahead and taken control ofby L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
In another post with the title, "possible silver lining," I made the same (valid) point that you are making in your post. The title of my reply to your post is a comment that someone made in response to my post.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
Hate to see Zuerlein's great season come to an end. A possible silver lining is that the Rams might start to feel more of a sense of urgency to get the ball into the end zone and actually score more points.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
He was absolutely dominant in that game. I don't think anyone has ever made Russell Wilson look so bad.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
…is very important, and it may still be in play if the Rams win. If so, it will be an important game for the Rams. Getting the #3 seed could mean the difference between playing at home or going on the road for the NFC Championship game. The Rams could also have a shot at the #2 seed if the Vikings stumble.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
Couldn't resist that!by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
...I cringed when Gurley kept doing this. Sure enough, the Rams paid the price for it with a loss in the first Seahawks game. McVay has been a godsend -- the most brilliant young coach to come along in many years. But he needs to pay more attention to details like this. You can't afford to lose games with mistakes that are easily avoided.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
Right after the board came back up, I received several emails about pms, but there were no pms. Is it possible that this had something to do with the crash and/or bringing the board back up?by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
What was the most dominating Rams victory over the Seahawks? It used to be the 1979 game, when the Rams won 24-0 and held the Seahawks to -7 yards (yes, that's a minus sign) and only one first down (which Steve Largent barely got). I think the 2017 game was even more dominant. It was 34-0 at the half, and the Rams could have made it 60-0 if they hadn't called off the dogs early in the third quartby L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
It is very painful to lose a game that you should win. That happened to the Rams several times this year. It could be that they hated those experiences so much that they became more determined and focused to not allow it to happen again.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
One of the replays of Gurley's long run was from a camera at ground level. As the camera panned along with Gurley, objects in the background whizzed by. There was a similar camera angle during Tony Horne's KO return for a TD against the 49ers in 1999. It immediately came to mind when they showed the replay of Gurley's run.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com
It is indeed a special team, and by the way that fact also applies to the 2001 Rams. I hope this team gets to 500 points. That would put them into the same powerhouse level as the Greatest Show on Turf. With its balance on defense and special teams and possibly some untapped potential in Sammy Watkins, this team could be as good as the 1999 Rams.by L.A.Rams - RamsFootballFans.com