One of the best changes to our offense this year has been Tutu in motion and attacking off the LOS. This motion has single handedly freed him up and given him clean releases. It lets him showcase his hands and route running in the intermediate game, both plus aspects of his game.

Credit to McVay for "adding" it, and with a healthy Stafford this offense will be cooking when Kupp comes back.

Imagine we go into the final week 9-7, needing a win and you're in for the playoffs at the Niners.

The Niners, meanwhile, have clinched the NFC West.

We go into half down 17-3, but after halftime say "ENOUGH" and come back to beat the Niners in OT.

Then we go into Dallas in the wildcard round and pull off the upset. Then win AGAIN to make the NFCCG.........against the Niners.

It's a hard fought game where we are up 10 at the end of the third quarter with the Niners driving......but we end up losing by a FG.

The Niners meanwhile go onto win the Super Bowl.



Yes a little funny, but I realized after this game, how good the Niners look AND the fact that we play them in week 18 that this is a somewhat plausible scenario up until us winning playoff games. From there the question becomes this:

Would you rather beat the Niners in week 18, win two playoff games but lose to the Niners who win the Super Bowl?

OR

Lose in week 18, miss the playoffs but the Niners do NOT win the Super Bowl?

A few months ago, we were wondering whether Sean McVay was looking for an exit ramp.

Now, he's doing one of best jobs as a coach.

He's managed to integrate a roster filled with young, inexperienced players, and put a competitive and well-prepared team on the field. He's navigated Cooper Kupp's injury and Steton Bennett's absence without allowing either to be a disruption. He's done a great job of game planning and adjusting in real time. The team is playing together, and should play even better as the youngsters get more live reps.

Given how well he's doing his job, I'm not inclined to question, on any level, the apparent demise of Cam Akers as a Ram. I don't have a need to know every detail. I trust that McVay is enforcing, rather than just rotely repeating, the "we not me" concept.

In Sean I trust.

Matthew Freakin Stafford, what a damn stud of a qb that dude is.. he has played outstanding so far and it goes to show what good blocking does for a great pocket qb. He is tough as nails and checks all the boxes. Go Stafford! Take us to the playoffs Big Dawg! Im a proud as hell Rams fan.

Offense


Defense


ST

Our Rams played their hearts out against a SB caliber team and we’re all justifiably proud of them. They just gave the vaunted 49ers all that they wanted and then some.

And just for context this is only 2 games into a 17 game season so there’s plenty of opportunity ahead for tweaking adjustments.

Here are a few things I hope to see addressed in the coming weeks:

RB situation might need tweaking. What’s the plan? Maybe some snaps for Zach Evans? Rivers? Or bring in an outsider for some help (not Taylor, he’s good but unaffordable)?

What’s the plan at RG? Boom is already hurt with his first injury halfway through the 2nd game and he doesn’t shine at run blocking anyway. Anchrum didn’t particularly impress. Is Dotson gonna get a shot? We gave up a pick and picked up his salary so why not check out our investment in him?

What happened to the 12 sets we were expecting vs 49ers? I think this TE room has potential but only McVay can decide to actually use them. C’mon, Sean. That TE room is your friend. Lol.

Is the stunted Ram running game a RB, OL, or scheme problem? Or maybe all of them combined? Gotta fix that issue if we want to be in the playoff club.

Is Van Jefferson even a 3rd WR on a Kupp-less roster? One catch, seriously? I’d sit him and give his snaps to some combo of Robinson, Skow, and Trammel until one of them steps up significantly. I’m done with VJ. Something is just missing with that guy and it’s hurting our O big time. It’s all about results, baby.

What to do with Hoecht? Does he have a mental problem with contain responsibilities? This should have been ironed out before the opener. Very frustrating. Edge probably won’t be fixed until next draft now, but meanwhile every team is gonna be attacking Hoecht because he’s one of our 2 weakest links on D.

Which brings me to our other weakest link on D, namely Kendrick. I would sit Kendrick and start Tomlinson in the very next game and never look back. Yeah, Tomlinson is a rookie and will make mistakes as he learns on the job, but look at Kendrick who is doing the same thing in spades and killing us in the process. Tomlinson is a sticky little mofo. Tomlinson’s ceiling is far higher than Kendrick’s ever will be. I mean, what does Morris have to lose with this change?

Don’t get me wrong. This Ram team pleased me yesterday with a performance overall that exceeded my expectations. We’ve lost badly to these 49ers in the past with vastly more experienced players than we had yesterday. I’m a great admirer of the coaching and the heart and effort of so many youngsters. I continue to believe we will finish with a winning record and possibly make the playoffs with these players because they will grow weekly by leaps and bounds.

This post was intended to point out a very few areas that I would most like Rams to shore up. Most are relatively quick fixes, I believe.

I firmly still believe that this team will continue to be scrappy and entertaining. Possibly will be among my favorite teams to root for all time. They just gave the 49ers all that they could handle and our young Rams haven’t even gelled together yet.

Monday September 18, 2023

MNF
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC

ROD Sportsbook

Monday September 18, 2023

MNF
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

ROD Sportsbook

There is just no Rams draft class in the last 30 years that has been as impactful out the gate as this one. That's as far back as I looked.

Puka leads the entire fridge league in receptions and is #2 in yardage.

Avila is a plug and play stud at guard.

Byron Young is making plays every game and seems to learn by the moment.

Kobie Turner is a legit D lineman.

Ethan Evans is majestic.

These are guys making IMPACTS in their first two games!! Not just showing up.

And we still have high expectations for Several others... and so many of them are on the roster.

This is ABSOLUTELY the kind of draft that resets a team. All without a first rounder.

The kind of behavior I've been seeing is very much unbecoming of us RODites.

Maybe we need a lesson on some key tenets here. Think before you post. Attack the post, not the poster. Treat others with respect. Maybe this has eluded a few. Maybe we've forgotten. Maybe we need a reminder.

The posts I've been seeing is not acceptable conduct. I am not just talking about some of the overtly-aggressive insults; I'm also seeing a bunch of condescending remarks and passive-aggressiveness from other posters whom I normally like, and other bullshit that is not shooting the shit at a bar, not healthy for the health of the forum, and that CANNOT continue.

Mods, if you feel I'm going too far, feel free to delete this post, but I'm not having a good week mentally (all I'm getting into for personal reasons; if you want to know, PM me), and when I go to this forum, I don't expect - or want - to see the sheer vitriol directed from person to person.

So please, for the love of God, Jesus, Yahweh, Moses, Allah, Muhammed, Buddha, Krishna, whatever deity of whatever religion, or whatever you believe in if you're not religious, take a LONG look at the rules, look at the little blurb in the comment section that says, "Think before you post," and listen to it. I love all y'all so much, and I love this forum very much, but this cannot go on if this forum is to be healthy.

They will be the single most desperate team in the league next Monday. We are going to have to really bring the energy and execution. They are staring 0-3 in the face with 2 AFC North losses already under their belt. Their backs are really against the wall. But I think if we can jump out early, that crowd will get restless and angry. They had the boo birds out today in the Ravens game.

Also appears Burrow’s status may be up in the air. He said he may have reaggravated his calf. He was really limping when the game ended.

Dude tweaked his calf today. Our favorite pharse..."day to day"

Get them at the right time. AD vs doo doo Bengals line again vs backup QB? Hello.

When you gave 100% against a team that is overdue for a Super Bowl.

Terrible name but oh well. We have a draft thread why not a free agent one.

A lot of us are thinking we really need another edge rusher. Most of us would like somebody in free agency for the more immediate impact that most rookies provide, aside from first round picks. That said here's a list from spotrac


A few names to me

Danielle Hunter - Personally not interested. He wants huge money and he's a major liability in the run game.

Za'Darius Smith - Serviceable vet but not imo a huge help.

Josh Allen - Pipe dream but he would be my main target. Great pass rusher and good in run defense. I've seen him a few times in pass coverage too and he's good enough there. Target #1 for me.

Rashan Gary - Might be a sneaky good addition he's come on lately but not sure he's the best option. Injury issues?

Montez Sweat - Could be another guy like Floyd and Fowler that play better here with our coaching.

Josh Uche - Don't know much about him but he was stellar last year as a situational pass rusher, didn't start a game the previous couple years in New England.

Just some names to think about. I think Burns and probably Allen will be very expensive in free agency and I think Allen gets tagged but I like him a lot more than Burns so he'll be my #1 target right now.

Later CB and NT

1. From the standpoint of a diehard Rams fan, a loss to the 49ers is always tough to swallow.

2. From a rational standpoint, however, we learned a lot about the 2023 Rams today, and it was far from all bad.

3. Bottom line: the Rams went toe-to-toe for most of the afternoon with a team that has one of the top 5 rosters in football right now.

4. So what went wrong? I think it comes down to two factors.

5. First... not nearly enough pressure on Brock Purdy. Aaron Donald was stifled all day by double and triple teams, and Byron Young was the only one who hurried Purdy more than once. With a team that can hurt you with the RAC like the 49ers (CMC, Deebo) you can't just sell out and blitz constantly. We need higher win rates from the rushers not named Donald.

6. Second... untimely mistakes. The first interception, which was 100% on Kyren Williams (who, otherwise, was great) was a killer. We also had Red Zone penalties on both sides of the ball (Derion Kendrick is a liability on any pass of more than 10 yards, it seems) that really turned the tide against us. Tutu Atwell also missed a late opportunity to potentially score on a long TD by cutting his route off.

7. Another thing that impacted the game was just plain old bad luck. Ball hits Kittle in motion on shotgun snap... goes right to McCaffrey. Purdy fumbles snap at own 20... bounces right to him. Kyren takes eye off ball, instead of a harmless incompletion, ball pops up and is intercepted. Deebo fumbles... ball goes out of bounds (Or did it... did we miss a chance to challenge?). These aren't excuses, but if you change the outcome of half of those plays, this one probably goes down to the wire, and perhaps we're celebrating now.

8. In the end, though, we fell short... but I feel optimistic. There is some very good young talent on this team, and that supplies hope.

9. What can you say about Puka Nacua? Even though he had a chance to pad his stats a little in what was essentially garbage time, 15 catches for 147 yards (and 25 receptions - a new record for a rookie in his first 2 games) is simply remarkable. What a find this guy is! He's my Offensive Player of the Week once again.

10. You also have to be impressed with the turnaround of the OL. For most of the game, they held up really well against an extremely tough front 7. The fact that the 49ers had to start bringing 5 or 6 pass rushers in the second half is a testament to their effectiveness. They also had some good moments in the running game, again, particularly in the Red Zone.

11. Here's something I didn't expect to be typing: we really missed Joe Noteboom when he went out. I hope he is okay. If not, hopefully Tremayne Anchrum, will play better next game (or, perhaps, Kevin Dotson might be an option).

12. Those who didn't watch the game and only look at the scoreboard might think that Matthew Stafford didn't play all that well. I'd say that, apart from his late interceptions and a few off target throws during desperation time, he was pretty solid. Some nifty footwork too!

13. There was a lot of talk about Van Jefferson last week after his big drop against Seattle. I thought that was premature. This week, however, he disappointed me far more. He was invisible for most of the game. He then had a drop on his first target, and ran a poor route that at least contributed to the second interception. I won't be surprised to see Demarcus Robinson taking some of Jefferson's snaps in the next couple of week and, once Cooper Kupp returns, he may have a hard time getting off the bench.

14. Cam Akers... WTF? It would seem that he may be done as a Ram... though we've thought that before. This time, though...

15. Kyren Williams is a good fit for this offense and (again, apart from the bobble that caused the INT) had a good game. I think we'll see him get some help in the coming weeks, though I don't know if it will be from Ronnie Rivers, or maybe Zach Evans gets an opportunity?

16. Back on the OL, Steve Avila looks really good. Though I simply can't ignore Puka, I could make an argument for giving him the Offensive Player of the Week.

17. Young gets the nod as my Defensive Player of the Week. 5 tackles, 2 QB hits and our only sack.

18. We need to start forcing some turnovers!

19. So, here we are... two weeks in... two tests against division rivals who made the playoffs last year. I think we're off to a solid start. There is still a lot to improve upon, and holes that need to be filled. But this is a competitive team.

20. Next up... the Super Bowl rematch!

Growing pains: theme of the game​

I absolutely love the fight that we showed today. There were some small key things that changed this game :

1. Kendrick's pass interferences. The first one is similar to last week where he just starts panicking in the middle of the ball being in the air. Both times he could have just played the ball and been fine. I'm thinking he'll be replaced sometime soon but if the Rams want to stick with him he's going to have to learn that.

2. Kyren Williams interception. I'm calling it his interception because it hit him in the hands and had nothing to do with stafford. The 49ers took the lead on that drive. We look like we were in route to going and taking the lead again.

3. Atwell runs the wrong route. He had a wide open TouchDown if he had read the coverage the same way Stafford did. But that's what happens when a third year receiver finally starts getting playing time. You're going to see him have those bumps and bruises.

These three plays completely flipped the game. But we're a young team facing a super bowl contender. if that game didn't get you fired up about the rest of the season and I don't know what will!

Well fuck a duck...

I've been trying to sign up for You Tube TV and it says I'm not eligible. Does anyone have any streams available for today's game. Much obliged if ya'll would share some good links.

Thanks in advance from a fellow Rams fan.

~ArkyRamsFan~

It was announced by Glazer on fox pre game

He’s inactive today. Coaches decision.

I guess I am a weirdo in some respects. When browsing YouTube, there are channels that focus on math. They will display a math problem thumbnail that I will automatically start trying to solve. Even working with fractions, which I try to do in my head without using pencil and paper, I learned a method of adding/subtracting fractions called the bowtie method, which was never taught in school where I went. I also click to hear explanations beyond my mechanical ability to work the problem.

I love Sudoku and will get wrapped in a hard puzzle and refuse to let it beat me!

Some are captivated by the boobs and buns threads, ya horn toads! (lookin' at you @OldSchool !)

For some, it might be running across a favorite movie in progress and you can't turn the channel until you watch it all.



post a subject that so fascinates you that you get lost in it....

Sunday, September 17, 2023

SNF
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Week 2 NFL schedule - Sunday, September 17, 2023

THE LATE GAMES
New York Giants vs. Arizona Cardinals: 4:05, FOX
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams: 4:05, FOX
New York Jets vs. Dallas Cowboys: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Washington Commodes vs. Denver Broncos: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

THE EARLY GAMES
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons: 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Seattle Seahawks vs. Detroit Lions: 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans: 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

SNF
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Monday, September 18

MNF
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC

————

ALREADY PLAYED

Thursday, September 14

Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video