The Rams are history this season. We won the Lombardi (Thank God!) but we got ravaged by injuries and it's clear that our defense is still quite stout but the offense can't score enough for us to win.

My main focus for the rest of the season is to project bad juju on the whiners. Injuries, bad luck and other teams stepping up to play their utmost best against the whiners so they do not get to or win super bowl 57.

Based on what I saw, the Eagles would be a tough out for the whiners as they struggle against good mobile quarterbacks, I'd also be ok if Jimmy crapollo gets a ACL or MCL next week.

Wow, putting all that in words was quite therapeutic for me and I feel better. I'll feel better it it comes to pass.

Not to mention that I think the Bills or Chefs will make mincemeat out of the whiners.

1. Wait... what? How can a message board series have a high ankle sprain? Does it even have ankles?

2. Of course, this theme is no sillier than the predicament we find ourselves in.

3. Here's my theory... A year ago, we Rams fans got together and collectively wished for a championship. The Football Gods heard our prayer, and decided to answer our plea on the condition that we all also agreed to withstand a nightmarish follow-up season after winning the big one. We made this deal, but we didn't know that, being old school Gods who thrive on irony, revenge and mocking mankind, the Football deities decreed that we'd have no memory of the deal we made, thus compelling us to suffer, lacking the knowledge that enduring this year was the agreed upon price of a championship.

4. Either that or field turf sucks. Maybe that's it?

5. Oh, and I'm not going to provide an in-depth analysis of the Chiefs game. We played as well as could be expected in a match-up equivalent of Spud Webb guarding Patrick Ewing in the post.

6. A few props are in order...

7. Kyren Williams could have a future with this team. I don't see him as a primary RB1, but he could be a very effective third-down/change-of-pace reliable option next year. Behind/paired with whom? Well... while Cam Akers has looked a bit better in the past two weeks than the first part of the season, I think that guy may be in college or on another team right now.

8. I'm not going to get my hopes up on Tutu Atwell, but he has at least made a couple of plays lately. He'll get some more chances in the remainder of the season, so... well, I said I wouldn't get my hopes up.

9. In a total lost cause season, here's to the guys like Rob Havenstein, Bobby Wagner and Nick Scott, who keep strapping on the helmet and giving their all.

10. So now, we're looking at Allen Robinson shut down for the year, and possibly Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald along with him. Ugh.

11. I'll say this about our Rams... they do things BIG. 1979? Biggest underdog ever almost pulls off a shocker against a dynasty. 1999? Biggest fairy tale season ever. 2021? The pinnacle of an "all in" strategy working. 2022? Most snakebit, injury-plagued, soul crushing attempted title defense ever.

12. I do see a lot of hope for 2023. I have been accused of being a wide-eyed optimist before, though.

13. A big storyline of this offseason will be how the stars respond to this year's adversity. Okay... Cooper Kupp is an easy one. He'll probably come back in the best shape of his life, with an even faster 40 time, and have a great year.

14. Others, though, will be questioned. Until we hear firm commitments, there will be those who will wonder if this season will drive Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald into well-deserved retirements, or if it will be a motivator to show that they're not ready to be written off and sent into the sunset.

15. I tend to believe it will be the latter for all three, but... who knows? In McVay's case, the money truck is always parked on the curb outside his house, waiting for him to take a TV job. In Stafford's and Donald's case, there is an opportunity to leave the game with health, wealth, and glory.

16. I'd ask each for just one more year (with an option for more), but they don't owe me anything.

17. As an aside, I don't begrudge the Detroit Lions for the benefits they stand to gain from the Rams' troubles. The Lions' willingness to let Stafford leave was somewhat noble, and it benefited us greatly. If the Lions can parlay the deal into the development a team that will give long suffering Lions fans something to cheer about, I'm okay with that.

18. The prospect of a top 40 selection in the draft... intriguing.

19. The challenge of rebuilding around the (hopefully) returning core of stars... exciting.

20. And, remember... the Rams do things big. 2023... an historically big comeback season? Why not?

Was watching the McVay show.... didn't even bother to ask if Stafford was going to play. Wolford or Perkins.

You can tell by the innuendos and talking around things - its over.

time to see how the young guys can play.

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Yeah not our year boys.

That my son and I were talking about last night. As usual his friends were texting and giving him crap about the loss. This is what we used to keep it in perspective.

-van Jefferson was out to start the season.
-when he comes back we lose Kupp and Robinson.
-this whole time we’re not playing with our starting oline, but rather… not even backups, not 2nd stringers, but 3rd stringers, practice squad guys and unwanted free agents.
-there’s our whole running back situation, but I think my previous point about the oline can speak some to that as well. Can’t run through holes that don’t exist.
-Stafford has had ZERO time to get the ball off and has gotten his ass kicked since day 1 of the season.
-higbe has been injured most of this season as well.
-Lastly, Robinson just hasn’t clicked. But that’s not necessarily an injury thing, but… now he is injured.

We definitely need some changes in personnel as well as game play/game plan that I think will occur in the off-season (for the love of goodness it has to).

BUT! No one can take away the fact that WE WON THE SUPER BOWL MONTHS AGO. This year. Not 20 years ago, months ago and our core is still there.

Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis: Steelers and Colts Wrap Up Week 12 on MNF​

The Pittsburgh Steelers are on their second starting quarterback of the season. The Indianapolis Colts are on their second head coach. That alone should tell you all you need to know about two franchises deep in rebuilding mode as they prepare to do battle on ESPN’s "Monday Night Football."

Barring a miracle, neither organization is playoff-bound this year. The Steelers, sitting at 3-7, appear destined to have a losing record for the first time in Mike Tomlin’s 16 years as head coach. The Colts, sitting at 4-6-1, are three games behind the Tennessee Titans for the AFC South lead with seven games remaining.

But don’t let their records fool you. These are proud organizations with rich histories in the sport; both have been playing hard despite coming up short. The Colts took the 9-1 Philadelphia Eagles down to the wire last week, losing by just one point, while the Steelers scored a season-high 30 points in a loss to the Bengals.

Who will be more motivated as we head into Monday night?

Monday: Night Football: Pittsburgh (3-7) at Indianapolis (4-6-1)

Kickoff: Monday, Nov. 28 at 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Spread: Colts -2.5
Tickets: As low as $53 on SITickets.com*

Three Things to Watch

1. Can Kenny Pickett take care of the football?

Pickett did what was needed against the Bengals despite a losing effort; his 265 passing yards were the second-highest total of a promising rookie year. But the big number lately has been zero; he remains without a turnover in the two games the Steelers have played since the bye.

The Colts' defense is certainly out to change that, ranked fourth in the league in total yards allowed and sixth against the pass. Pickett understands it’s a tougher hill to climb on Monday than in recent weeks.

“They don’t have a lot of breakdown in coverages or explosive plays,” Pickett explained about the Colts' scheme this week. “They do a good job of keeping a lid on it. We gotta be detailed, protect the football. I gotta make good decisions in scoring position and I think everything else will take care of itself.”

Give that Colts defense credit; they forced two fumbles against the Eagles, a team with the league’s best turnover margin at plus-12. Can they keep up the momentum against the league’s other Pennsylvania team, playing a rookie QB still learning the ropes?

2. Matt Ryan, Act I or Act II?

Since getting reinstated as starting quarterback after former head coach Frank Reich was let go, Ryan’s second act in Indianapolis has been better. After fumbling the ball 11 times in his first seven games, Ryan’s been turnover-free in his last two, averaging a healthy-ish 7.25 yards per attempt.

The re-emergence of running back Jonathan Taylor (231 rushing yards, 2 TDs in the last two games) has certainly helped. But Ryan is also making smarter decisions and getting more of the offense involved; he made completions to seven different receivers against the Eagles.

T.J. Watt and the vaunted Steelers defense would typically have something to say about that. But Pittsburgh has struggled overall on that side of the football, ranking just 28th in total yards allowed and a shocking 31st (272.1 ypg) against the pass. Opportunity knocks for Ryan and the Colts to score some points while continuing to develop their twin 25-year-old receiving threats: Parris Campbell and Michael Pittman Jr.

3. Can the Steelers stay in touch early?

Pittsburgh has had a nasty habit of falling behind early. Not only have the Steelers given up a whopping 144 points in the first half, but they're even worse on the road, outscored 87-54 in five games. For a young team with a limited offensive ceiling, it’s important for them to stay within striking distance so their best offensive player, running back Najee Harris, can remain the centerpiece of the offensive game plan.

The Colts, meanwhile, have given up 88 points in the second quarter this season, giving teams an opening to establish control. They’ll need to tighten the reins to make sure this Cinderella doesn’t seize an opportunity on their home turf.

Final Analysis

The Colts have an additional level of pride on the line: they haven’t won against the Steelers since Peyton Manning was their quarterback in 2008. While Matt Ryan doesn’t feel like the answer, he also feels like just enough when paired up against Kenny Pickett.

This young Steelers team is maturing faster than anyone expected; once again, Tomlin has been underestimated as a head coach. It just won’t be enough against a Colts team that has dramatically underachieved to this point in 2022. Say this much about inexperienced interim head coach Jeff Saturday, who was in his prime as a Colts player the last time they won in this rivalry: he gets this team revved up to play.

Prediction: Colts 24, Steelers 21

1. I sure as heck better not post 20, and I won't call 'em "random" either.... a certain someone (cough-@AvengerRam- cough) is protective of his "20 random" format.... I hear he's litigious too... and I don't want no trouble....

2. Matt Gay is automatic. We are gonna miss that guy a ton if we let him go. Yeah he'll be expensive but I hope we keep him.

3. Glad to see Tutu catch a couple short range passes.... But the guy did some serious harm to his YPC average. He went from a 58 average all the way down to 34.8!

4. I keyed on T Lewis on a series in the second quarter.... he was absolutely DOGGING it. Anyone else notice this? The lack of effort on that series by Lewis was absolutely disgraceful and unprofessional. Three plays in a row he gave zero effort.

5. There were times this definitely felt like I was watching a late-season Jeff Fisher game. "Yeah the Rams are clearly the inferior team and have no real chance of winning. But hahaha, we outsmarted you with a great fake punt!!"

6. From last week-- anyone else think Taysom Hill reminds them of CMC? Man that dude played a great game. What a weapon, what a talented and tough SOB.

7. Again from last week-- Cam Jordan's sunglasses (for his eye injury) made him look like a Steampunk character.

8. For the second week in a row, Fox screwed up the graphic for the Rams starting lineup. Um... Justin Hollins isn't our starting LB, okay? And last week they said Evans was in the starting lineup, which probably gave several of us a heart arrhythmia.

9. Who's the dude who looks like Thor (Chris Hemsworth) next to Kevin Burkhart up in the booth?

10. My wife was amused by the long hyphenated names on the Chiefs: Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Juju Smith-Schuster. As for the receiver Skyy Moore... why in the actual fuck would you name your kid with two "y's" in his first name? So he has to correct everyone in the damn world how to spell his name?? Or do his parents just like vodka? sheesh....

11. Rams stopped Chiefs 5 times in the Red Zone, forcing a pick and 4 field goals? Pretty impressive.

12. Skura sucks.

13. Seemed like a typical Bryce Perkins game, same of what we saw in the preseason. Had some clutch runs, a few highlight-reel broken tackles, but hardly any passing game and only between 6 and 13 points for the whole damn game. He's a tough competitor and a nice change-up for a play or two, but IMHO this guy just doesn't have the tools to be a legit #2 QB. The difference in talent level between Stafford and both of our backups.... it's a chasm.

14. Why on earth isn't Cobie Durant getting any play time? Or Rochell? Kendrick is okay I guess, but I sure wish I could see what these other 2 guys can bring.

15. McCutch sighting. Hope we see more of him, hope his shoulder is okay.

16. I thought one of the KC coaches looked like Andy McCollum in his prime.

17. Shocking to see McVay get completely slobber-knockered by#49 (Roger Carter, making, um... a bad first impression). As soon as I saw that hit, I said to my wife, "I bet a few people on ROD think that moment was a good metaphor for the Rams whole season." This year, McVay and the Rams have been sucker-punched, and they don't know what hit 'em. I went back and watched that hit in slo-mo..... man, McVay got rocked! As Mike Tyson would say: "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

18. Commets welcome. Yeah this season sucks, so I guess I can try to distract myself with amusing little observations.

The hits keep on coming....

Fuck a vent thread. Our D played MUCH better than last week. Perkins didn't play as bad as I thought he would, although he made one questionable throw leading to an interception. Our oline also kept him alive.

CGI be like....

Sunday November 27, 2022

Game Day Thread

The GDT is a live thread tradition here at ROD.

While we all get fired up watching the game, please remember our core principles;we always show respect for our team and each other.

Despite the emotional highs and lows watching a game, we will moderate this thread with that in mind, however please refrain from name calling. This applies to players, the Rams organization, and others.

This is the core rule of the GDT. Moderators are tasked to issue thread bans, at a minimum, to maintain this standard.

This is our team. Win or lose. Good days and bad. We are here for FUN, not to be dragged down.

A more loosely moderated atmosphere can be found in the chat room.

Go Rams!

———

ROD Chat Room;

Game Day Room

.

Green Bay vs. Philadelphia: Packers Hope to Kick-Start Playoff Push With Win Over Eagles on SNF​

Despite falling three games below .500, the Green Bay Packers still harbor playoff aspirations.

To realize them, they'll have to beat the best team in the NFC when they travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on "Sunday Night Football."

The Packers appeared to have turned the corner two weeks ago when they toppled the Cowboys in overtime, but any goodwill disappeared with a 10-point loss to the Titans on "Thursday Night Football." They were out-gained 408-271 and trailed for all but the first four-plus scoreless minutes of the game.

The Eagles, meanwhile, had to score 14 fourth-quarter points to come back and beat the Colts. That was still a welcomed result after their first loss of the season, two weeks ago to Washington. But two of their three lowest yardage outputs of the season have come in the last two weeks, and a combined six giveaways haven't helped either.

Perhaps Green Bay is meeting Philadelphia at the right time, but the Packers still have an uphill battle even if they can score a road win. Green Bay enters the week two games out of the playoffs, and there are three other teams between them and the No. 7 seed Commodes.

Sunday Night Football: Green Bay (4-7) at Philadelphia (9-1)

Kickoff: Sunday, Nov. 27 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Spread: Eagles -6.5
Tickets: As low as $118 on SITickets.com*

Three Things to Watch

1. Eagles' pass rush vs. Packers' offensive line

Philadelphia's key to success this season has been a fearsome pass rush, which was supplemented at the trade deadline with the addition of Robert Quinn. The former Bear is still looking for his first sack with the Eagles, but he's valuable depth alongside Haason Reddick (7.5 sacks), Javon Hargrave (7.0), Brandon Graham (4.0), and Josh Sweat (3.5).

With so many threats, the Eagles rank second in the NFL with a 53 percent pass rush win rate. However, they'll have perhaps their toughest matchup to date yet against a Packers line that ranks fifth with a 66 percent pass block win rate.

Green Bay has had to deal with injuries all season but remains one of the better units. Left tackle David Bakhtiari has been in and out of the lineup — he's practicing but dealing with a knee injury — but ranks as the top pass-blocking tackle (95 percent PBWR) when healthy. Josh Myers also ranks fifth among centers (96 percent), and Yosh Nijman is sixth among tackles (94 percent).

2. Can the Packers slow Philadelphia's rushing attack?

The Eagles don't have the most efficient running attack (4.3 ypc), but with their volume (32.9 attempts per game, third in the NFL), it works just fine. And they should have a chance to feast this Thanksgiving weekend against a Packers front as porous as a cheesehead hat.

Green Bay ranks just 24th in run defense (135.8 ypg) and 21st on a per-rush basis (4.6 ypc), although the advanced numbers are even worse. They rank 29th in run stop win rate (28 percent) and dead last in adjusted line yards (5.19).

Rashan Gary is a premier run-stopper off the edge but is on injured reserve with a torn ACL. And with linebackers De'Vondre Campbell (knee) and Quay Walker (shoulder) banged up, things won't get any easier.

If there's any silver lining for the Packers, it's that they've done a good job of stifling running quarterbacks this season. Over 11 games, they've allowed 40 rushes for just 112 yards and one score, so Philadelphia may have to lean more on backup running backs after giving all but three carries to Miles Sanders and Jalen Hurts last week.

3. Does Aaron Rodgers finally have a new favorite receiver?

The loss of Davante Adams over the offseason doesn't fully explain Aaron Rodgers' drop-off this season — Occam's razor says it's probably his age — but it certainly hasn't helped. Allen Lazard has been consistent but is really more of a No. 3 receiver or No. 2 on a good day than a true No. 1.

But in recent weeks, a new weapon has emerged for Rodgers: second-round rookie Christian Watson. The former North Dakota State Bison standout struggled with drops (10.7 percent) and health early in the campaign but is starting to justify Green Bay's early selection.

Through Week 9, Watson had 10 receptions for 88 yards and no scores. In the two games since, he has eight receptions for 155 yards and five touchdowns. He has the size (6-4) and speed (4.36 sec. 40-yard dash) to become a dominant receiver if he can put it all together.

The question becomes how he will adjust when defenses give him more attention. The Eagles have two excellent cornerbacks in Darius Slay and James Bradberry and won't be underestimating Watson this time.

Final Analysis

The Packers seem equipped to stop the Eagles' passing attack — Jaire Alexander shut down A.J. Brown when he was on the Titans in 2020 — but it's hard to see them slowing the ground game. With that major disadvantage, it will take a vintage game from Rodgers to overcome a dominant Philly defense. And those games are getting increasingly rare.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Packers 17

Sunday November 27, 2022

THE LATE GAMES
Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona, 4:05 p.m.
Las Vegas at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.
New Orleans at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

THE EARLY GAMES
Denver at Carolina, 1 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Baltimore at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Houston at Miami, 1 p.m.
Chicago at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Cincinnati at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Atlanta at Washington, 1 p.m.

SNF
Green Bay at Philadelphia, 8:20 p.m. (SNF)

Monday November 28, 2022

MNF
Pittsburgh at Indianapolis, 8:15 p.m.

---

ALREADY PLAYED

Thursday November 24, 2022

THANKSGIVING DAY
Buffalo at Detroit, 12:30 p.m.
New York Giants at Dallas, 4:30 p.m.
New England at Minnesota, 8:20 p.m.

Sunday November 27, 2022

THE EARLY GAMES
Denver at Carolina, 1 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Baltimore at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Houston at Miami, 1 p.m.
Chicago at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Cincinnati at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Atlanta at Washington, 1 p.m.

THE LATE GAMES
Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona, 4:05 p.m.
Las Vegas at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.
New Orleans at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

SNF
Green Bay at Philadelphia, 8:20 p.m. (SNF)

Monday November 28, 2022

MNF
Pittsburgh at Indianapolis, 8:15 p.m.

---

ALREADY PLAYED

Thursday November 24, 2022

THANKSGIVING DAY
Buffalo at Detroit, 12:30 p.m.
New York Giants at Dallas, 4:30 p.m.
New England at Minnesota, 8:20 p.m.

Also, thought I'd add...wish this dude was still a Ram. Pissed we let him go.

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I’ve heard some personalities suggesting the Rams make their way back into the first round to fix the host of problems they have, of course this would mean trading somebody important, which would create one more hole to fill. Thoughts?

Here we go Rams fans, ... this is a scary one. Guess the correct score & win $10,000 ROD dollars or be the closest to the exact score & win $5,000 Rod Dollars. All entries must be posted before the game begins. Good Luck !

Rams - 17

Chiefs - 14

From ESPN:

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Bills pass-rusher Von Miller did not tear an ACL during the team's 28-25 win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday, but he is considered out indefinitely while he gathers more opinions on his right knee injury, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday.

Miller will miss at least one to two weeks, sources said, with the possibility that he is out for the rest of the 2022 season.

As he continues to gather medical opinions, Miller is not expected to make any quick decisions about the best way to proceed with his knee injury, sources said

_________________________________________

Man just like SF saved us from unloading a ton of picks for McCaffrey or Carolina saved us from giving away the house for Burns, Buffalo saved us from paying a shit load of money for a 33 yr old OLB with knee issues.

In a season that has had very little to be thankful, I'm thankful those 3 teams saved us from ourself.

on my phone that Rams signed him to back up Perkins
train

Big time sad story. Quite the mystery, too.

How does this one end?

This guy, an investigator himself, has a few nice breakdown videos.

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I had a lot of questions about the house layout. This video breaks the house down really well.

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What I didn’t know before yesterday, if this report is true, there there was a pet dog killed and skinned weeks before about 3 miles away. Is it connected? I don’t think they know.

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I know @Merlin 's favorite night on the sub was pizza night, even when he was cooking them.... @thirteen28 just liked sardines in mustard sauce...

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I hope that what I saw in preseason wasn't a mirage.. and that he can be a good NFL guard.. because he's an incredible human being. In a shit Rams season, this is a beautiful thing to see.