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Gonna start it off with Malik McDowell getting arrested for indecent exposure and battery on a police officer. Y'all are gonna have to find the article; my computer's keyboard broke, so I've had to use the tablet part until I can scrape up money.

My first post back from being carted through my yard shirtless whilst having a
heart attack in the middle of a winter storm named after my youngest son Izzy......
That was Sunday.
98% blockage in one artery and one stent later I'm back to say life is good and
I feel better than I have in a lonng time. Amazing how much better you feel getting
twice as much blood to your heart as before.



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Akers??? WOW!!!

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I'm having a hard time getting any work done today. Last night was spectacular and I'm still riding the high.

Looking ahead, I see some real areas of opportunity against TB - and also a few areas of real concern.

Our O / Their D - The Bucs are hard to run on. Top 5 defense against the run. We all know how important it is that we get the running game going, but I don't want to be wasting downs running into walls either. Meanwhile, they are pretty suspect against the pass. I don't want to get into a situation where we are engaged in a shootout - but against the Eagles, without CB Murphy-Bunting, the Bucs played over 50 snaps with 3 safeties on the field. From a flyover perspective, that kind of D is even tougher to run against and even more susceptible to our 11 personnel packages. We may see Stafford carrying us on Sunday.

Our D / Their O - There can be no more debate about it, as painful as it is, Tom is the GOAT. But his offense has problems right now. Down on healthy RBs, and even more importantly, a healthy O-Line. We beat these guys by putting the hits on. Mike Evans and Gronk need to be accounted for - and if Tom can beat us with the other JAGs out there - so be it. Not sure who will be able to go on the O Line - but whether it is their next man up or a hobbled starter - they need to be tested early and often. Tom took some shots in the Philly game. He needs to feel the heat. And we can't let them establish the run at all. We need to jump out on them and put them into drop back mode.

That game got me so fired up last night I've already booked my flight to tampa. Anyone going?? Met up with some guys on here when we played Jacksonville a few years ago was hoping we could do it again!

Anyone planning to go to Tampa?

Got a really cheap flight on SW (and was supposed to be at a baseball weekend with my son, but it was cancelled) so will be heading down there....

Go Rams!!!

I would love to see what that Dr. that was claiming Akers coming back wouldn't make a difference because there is no way he would be ready has to say now. He looked like the most explosive player on the field tonight. It's unbelievable.

Kicking it off with a great take by Cowherd. This is going to be an amazing week can't wait.

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I've been in this boat for a while now, but wondering if there are other people coming aboard now? OBJ once again shows his dominance in the red zone where he is unstoppable, and seems to be developing more overall chemistry with Stafford. He showed his route running and explosion today, and even his arm!! All his production is coming while learning an entirely new system mid season, and having to develop chemistry with his QB on the fly. This can't be emphasized enough.

Im a huge Woods fan, and understand his importance to this team as a leader and what he's given us the last 4 years. But OBJ has obviously more talent and is healthy and a great fit. Can we keep both Woods and OBJ? Is that even possible cap wise? If not, isn't the better move to trade Woods and keep OBJ?

My family is hooked on this simple - once a day game.

If this were successful, it likely spells Spanos' exit from the NFL.

1. That was a joy to watch.

2. The Rams set the tone early on by stuffing the run, pressuring Kyler Murray, and establishing the run. From there, it was just a matter of getting a lead and keeping the foot on the gas.

3. Best sequence... Nick Scott lays the wood to break up (great challenge Sean!) the Cardinals first positive offensive play, leading to 3rd and 7 inside the five. Murray makes the big mistake, and David Long gets a play he'll tell his grandchildren about. It was pretty much over at that point.

4. In another thread, I emphasized the need and opportunity to establish the run. Mission accomplished. The Rams featured the run all night and finished with 140 rushing yards.

5. The running game's success allowed Matthew Stafford to have an easy night.

6. If you bet on Stafford having only 17 pass attempts in a win, you won a lot of money.

7. If you also bet on Stafford outrushing Murray by 16 yards, you probably have enough money to retire.

8. Think back to week 4. Little did we know...

9. That, come January, we'd win a playoff game with the help of a TD (and a 40 yard pass completion) by Odell Beckham, Jr....

10. That we'd have the benefit of a sack and 3 TFL from Von Miller...

11. And that, against all odds, Cam Akers would not only play, but would have 95 yards from scrimmage in the game.

12. Akers has moved from "inspirational story" to "key player" in two short weeks.

13. The defense was outstanding. The front 7 ensured that the depleted defensive backfield was not challenged all night.

14. Aaron Donald was his dominant self, and we've talked a lot about Greg Gaines, but how about how A'Shawn Robinson has come along? Seven tackles tonight to help stuff the run game.

15. Glad that Budda Baker did not suffer a neck injury (reportedly a concussion, but he has feeling and movement in his extremities).

16. These teams really don't like each other. There will probably be some carry over next year, but we really have their number right now.

17. Trip to Tampa comes next, and another Tom Brady match-up.

18. Rushing yards will be tougher to come by against a tough Buccaneers front 7, but the Rams can't totally abandon the run.

19. One negative tonight was the number of holding penalties (eliminating some productive plays). Got to clean that up.

20. Eight teams remain. Great to be one of them!

Dance time!!!!




Tommy boy:

I thought of KU lover @Memento when I heard of the phrase Ram-Hawk, meaning Los Angeles Ram/Kansas Jayhawk. Aside from the two players in the question, these are the Jayhawks that I know of that played for the Rams after KU.

Aside from former Ram-Hawks John Hadl and Aqb Talib, what two other Ram-Hawks were teammates at both KU and LA? NO GOOGLE, @den-the-coach !!!!

But I have been without cable…personal reasons, but I bought an antennae and watched the Niners game. It was interesting to me how far behind the line of scrimmage many of the Whiners running plays started …8-9 yards deep….hitting the line at full speed, which creates arm tackle misses. We used to use Dickerson that way…allows a good runner some vision as his blocks are set up. The whiners do a good job of using ever wr in the blocking scheme, even away from the ball to make pursuit tougher. There has to be a way to disrupt that set up so far behind the line…a fulcrum. Also, on the Rams side, I would like to see Powell on. Deebo type role lined up behind the QB and picking a lane to run through.

I am guessing Akers will be very questionable for any playing time tonight (But, It would be nice!) but I am really hoping that Jefferson is a full go for tonight’s game!!!

I’ve been holding back.

Never have I seen a thread or talk about how The Rams offense is run.

I was watching a game this year2021 & the announcer(?) said Sean Mcvay & The Rams script there first 15 plays.

Has anyone hear ever known that & why is (hasn’t) it been discussed more?

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

.

Despite gearing up the playoff run, I can't help but think what will McSnead do.

Do we dare trust the LT spot to the great Big Whit at 41 years old?
Have we seen enough of Noteboom to lock him up?
Do we do what we always seem to do and sign a free agent?

Personally the age scares me, despite how great #77 has been to our team. So I'm willing to give Noteboom a mid level contract. Pay him as an above average starter money on a 3-5 year deal.

What says you???

side note I think we need to upgrade at our LG position, no matter what we do!

AFC Wild Card: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs​

Through a series of improbable wins in Week 18, the Pittsburgh Steelers are back in the playoffs. Their prize? A trip back to Kansas City to face a team they lost to by four scores just three weeks ago.

The hope is that this game will be better than the 36-10 trouncing in Week 16, and both teams will have several key players back from injuries or the Reserve/COVID-19 list. But this much is clear: Vegas thinks it's the most lopsided first-round matchup, the only game with a double-digit spread.

Related: Expert Picks for Every "Super Wild Card Weekend" Game

In many ways, the Steelers are lucky to be here. They join the Raiders as the only teams with a negative point differential to make the playoffs. It's quite a testament to Mike Tomlin's coaching abilities — he's never had a team with a losing record in 15 seasons — that he could take a team that ranks 20th or worse in scoring offense, total offense, scoring defense, and total defense to the postseason.

For the Chiefs, they may not have a bye this time around, but they're every bit the dangerous team people expected heading into the season. Despite their much-talked-about 3-4 start, they've won nine of 10 to finish the season, with an average margin of 29.2-16.1.

Can the Steelers avenge their recent loss for another unlikely playoff run? Or will the Chiefs end Ben Roethlisberger's career at Arrowhead Stadium?

AFC Wild Card: Pittsburgh (9-7-1) at Kansas City (12-5)

Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 16 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Spread: Chiefs -12.5

Three Things to Watch

1. Do the Steelers have hope with Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill back?

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the Chiefs' blowout win three weeks ago for Pittsburgh is that Kansas City did it largely without its two best pass catchers. Kelce was on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, and Hill was just activated but only saw two targets on 29 snaps. Now Patrick Mahomes will have his full complement of receivers.

Pittsburgh could hardly stop Byron Pringle and Mecole Hardman Jr. last time around, so what will make things go better against the NFL's best tight end and a healthier version of perhaps the fastest wide receiver in the league?

One key may actually be the health of the Chiefs' running game. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire out, opponents haven't had to fear Kansas City's ground attack and have been able to drop two deep safeties. In games with CEH, Mahomes completed 68.2 percent of his passes with 7.9 yards per attempt and a 6.6 percent touchdown rate. Without? He completed 63.9 percent of his passes on a 6.7 ypa with a 4.4 percent TD rate.

Both Edwards-Helaire and backup Darrel Williams have been practicing this week but are dealing with injuries. Edwards-Helaire hasn't played since Week 16 with a bruised shoulder, while Williams is dealing with a toe injury from the regular-season finale.

Unlike last time around in Arrowhead, the Steelers will have linebackers Devin Bush and Marcus Allen back. But if they cannot stop Kelce and Hill, this game will get out of hand quickly.

2. Can T.J. Watt be a one-man wrecking crew?

Besides facing a neutered running game, one other way the Steelers may be able to slow the Kansas City offense with a big game from the likely Defensive Player of the Year.

In his 15 regular-season games, Watt has been held without a sack just four times. One of them was against the Chiefs, although a couple of cracked ribs limited him to just 38 defensive snaps. Now that he's back to full health, Watt figures to be a much bigger factor.

Don't expect Watt to have another three-sack game, though, as he did against the Bears, Ravens, and Browns this season. With a revamped offensive line, the Chiefs rank second in the NFL in ESPN's pass block win rate (68 percent) and fourth in adjusted sack rate (4.8 percent).

But when Watt does register more than one sack, the Steelers are 7-1, including wins against the Bills and Titans. Dedicating extra blockers on Watt may be one of the most important things the Chiefs can do Sunday night.

3. Can Roethlisberger force the Chiefs out of their preferred defense?

The Chiefs are a particularly bad matchup for Roethlisberger, at least if he continues to be unable to push the ball downfield. Kansas City loves playing press coverage and Cover 0 Man, and Roethlisberger has been unable or unwilling to punish the Chiefs deep.

In their first matchup this season, Roethlisberger attempted 35 passes, and only seven went beyond 10 yards (he completed two and threw an interception). Because the Chiefs could jam players at the line and crowd the box, Roethlisberger only completed his 23 passes overall for 159 yards, giving him 4.54 yards per attempt, his second-lowest rate of the season.

Of note, wide receiver James Washington landed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday, and his availability is in question. Washington has been one of Pittsburgh's best vertical threats, although he didn't have a single catch on two targets in the previous KC game.

Roethlisberger's arm strength has been missing for a while now, but in what could be his last hurrah, the Steelers will need him to take more chances downfield. Playing conservatively didn't work at all last time, so they need to try something new.

Final Analysis

Both teams should be better than when they last met in December, but the Steelers haven't improved enough to make a significant difference. Although this shouldn't be a four-score game again, Roethlisberger will have to play like it's 2006 to have a real chance. Big Ben has had a great career, but those days are long gone.

Prediction: Chiefs 30, Steelers 17

NFC Wild Card: San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys​

Two of the NFL's signature franchises will face off on Sunday in the NFC Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The surging San Francisco 49ers (10-7) and the Dallas Cowboys (12-5) have had their share of epic battles in the playoffs over the years, and Sunday promises to provide another dramatic chapter in this rivalry. It has been a while since these two teams met in the postseason, as in 1995 when Steve Young and the 49ers defeated the Cowboys' "Triplets" (Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin) 38-28 in the NFC Championship Game in Dallas.

This season, San Francisco punched its ticket to the playoffs in style as the 49ers rallied from a 17-0 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Rams 27-24 in overtime at SoFi Stadium. Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers continued their ownership of the Rams, who they have beaten six consecutive times. Jimmy Garoppolo completed 23 of 32 passes for 312 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Elijah Mitchell led a punishing running attack with 85 yards, and Deebo Samuel had 140 all-purpose yards. Brandon Aiyuk had six receptions for 107 yards. This type of balanced offensive attack is a recipe for success in the playoffs. The defense stepped up, with Ambry Thomas effectively ending the game late in overtime by intercepting Matthew Stafford. They also settled in after a tough first half as they limited the Rams to just seven points over the nearly 40 remaining minutes of the football game.

Dallas heads into the playoffs with some swagger after dispatching Philadelphia 51-26 last Saturday night. One of the main objectives for the Cowboys in that game was to have the offense generate momentum. Well, Dak Prescott took care of that by completing 21 of 27 passes for 295 yards and five touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 87 yards to secure another 1,000-yard season on the ground. The defense did some nice things as they kept Gardner Minshew in check, for the most part, throwing the ball. They also created a couple of turnovers and registered three sacks on the night. The hire of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has proven to be the right one — he's a prime candidate for several head-coaching jobs — as this unit has improved a lot in 2021. The Cowboys allowed 21.1 points per game, which ranked seventh in the NFL, and led the league with 34 turnovers forced.

NFC Wild Card: San Francisco (10-7) vs. Dallas (12-5)

Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 16 at 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Spread: Cowboys -3

Three Things to Watch

1. Can the 49ers' offense play keep away from Dallas?

San Francisco should not lack confidence this week on offense. The 49ers survived the annual grind of the NFC West to make the playoffs. The NFC West was 40-27 overall with three playoff teams. Head coach Kyle Shanahan will set the tone by running the ball with Mitchell and Samuel. The offensive line must turn this into a physical battle by absolutely dominating the Cowboys' defensive front. George Kittle and Aiyuk's role in the game will be to make those big chunk plays that keep the chains moving and grind the clock to limit the number of possessions. Garoppolo must take what the defense gives him throwing the football and not force anything this week. Now, the question is whether Garoppolo will accomplish that and not give the ball away. It will be intriguing to see how he responds once again on the big stage after leading the Niners to the Super Bowl two years ago.

2. Will the Dallas offense rise to the occasion in the postseason?

Prescott should be a lock for Comeback Player of the Year honors after returning from a broken ankle and shoulder injury to finish top-10 in passing yards (4,449, seventh), passing touchdowns (37, tied-fourth), and passer rating (104.2, third). The challenge for Prescott this week will be getting rid of the football quickly since the 49ers will come after him. Look for quick passes to Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb and heavy use of screen passes out of the backfield. Running the football is non-negotiable this week, as Dallas had issues in a 25-22 loss to Arizona two weeks ago when it was limited to 45 yards on the ground. The primary running back combination of Elliott and Tony Pollard will need to see a combined 25 touches this week if the Cowboys are to advance to the Divisional Round next week.

3. Will the 49ers defense step up when needed this week?

Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans will have a fantastic opportunity this week to put together a game plan resulting in a big-time performance by the defense. The defensive line led by Nick Bosa must lead the charge this week and dominate the Cowboys' offensive line. Even if the 49ers don't register multiple sacks against Prescott, they must get him off his spot in the pocket and rush his passes at every opportunity. The 49ers will surrender some yards between the 20s to Cooper and Lamb. But they must replicate what they did against Cincinnati back in early December to win this week. In the win over the Bengals, San Francisco allowed Joe Burrow to throw for 348 yards and two touchdowns, but it held Cincinnati to just one touchdown on five red zone trips in a 26-23 overtime win. Another underrated key to success for the defense this week will be their ability to capitalize on the crowd noise generated by 49ers fans in AT&T Stadium. Last week at SoFi Stadium, the fans made their presence felt for 60 minutes, which caught the Rams off guard. If a large contingent of San Francisco fans heads to Arlington, it could create a boost for the defense, which in turn will disrupt a Dallas offense that led the NFL with 31.2 points per game and 407.0 yards per game.

Final Analysis

The guys in the desert seem to expect this game to be a tight one-score affair on Sunday. Twists and turns will be a part of this game since there is not a ton of separation between these two teams. Garoppolo and Kittle will connect on two key explosive wheel routes in the second half that will propel the 49ers into the lead late in the fourth quarter. However, Prescott won't back down without a fight as this game will come down to the final drive but will end with a clutch interception by San Francisco. The win by the 49ers would set up a fun showdown at Lambeau Field in the Divisional Round next weekend. As for the Cowboys, it would set up another long offseason of frustration for Jerry Jones and their loyal fans all over the world.

Prediction: 49ers 27, Cowboys 23

NFC Wild Card Eagles at Buccaneers​

The Philadelphia Eagles started the regular season 3-6, including a 28-22 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 14. But after posting a 6-2 record in the final eight weeks en route to securing the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, the Eagles are set for a rematch as they head to Raymond James Stadium to take on the NFC South champion Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.

The hope for Philadelphia will stem in part from the team's success on the road in 2021, as the Eagles won just three of eight games at Lincoln Financial Field but went 6-3 on the road this season. Those strong showings will be tough to replicate, however, because Tampa Bay's 13-4 record was boosted by its 7-1 mark at home in 2021 — with the lone loss a 9-0 Week 15 shutout against New Orleans.

These two teams have split the 20 previous meetings perfectly evenly. Interestingly, this series has been dominated by streaks: after the Eagles won three of the first four meetings — wins in 1977, 1981, and 1988; loss in 1981 — the Buccaneers responded with three straight wins, followed by four consecutive Eagles wins. But beginning with the last time these teams met in the playoffs (NFC Championship Game — Jan. 19, 2003), Tampa Bay rebounded with three consecutive wins, followed by three straight Philadelphia victories before the Buccaneers secured wins in each of the last three matchups — including the Week 6 win earlier this season.

NFC Wild Card: Philadelphia (9-8) at Tampa Bay (13-4)

Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Spread: Buccaneers -8.5

Three Things to Watch

1. Can Hurts break through against Bucs' stingy defense?

While well outside the league leaders in passing, Jalen Hurts leads NFL quarterbacks in 2021 with 139 rushes for 784 yards and 10 touchdowns. His yardage is actually a top-25 mark across all ball-carriers — not just quarterbacks — this season, and only five running backs have tallied more than his 10 rushing scores. Hurts rushed for at least 40 yards in all but three of his games played, while his 10 rushing touchdowns came in just five games: one in Week 2 against San Francisco, three in Week 11 against New Orleans, and two each against Carolina (Week 5), Washington (Week 15) … and Tampa Bay in Week 6, when he also threw for a touchdown to account for all three scores in the Eagles' 28-22 loss.

But the Buccaneers have more than held their own on the defensive side of the ball, entering the postseason third in the NFL with 92.5 yards rushing allowed per game and fifth in scoring defense (20.8 points allowed per game). That was helped quite substantially by their total of 100 points allowed across six games in December and January, five of which were wins.

That defense took a hit this week, however, when cornerback Richard Sherman was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury from Week 16. This is his second stint on IR, coming after a hamstring injury suffered on just the seventh play of the game in Week 6 against these Eagles, after which he missed six weeks of game action. With linebacker Shaq Barrett rejoining the team after suffering a sprained ACL and MCL in Week 15, look for defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to utilize Barrett in a variety of packages alongside fellow linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David. The latter has been on injured reserve since late December but he was designated for return earlier this week and could be activated in time to play on Sunday.

2. Can Brady's top targets continue potent productivity?

Sherman isn't the only major Buccaneer (current or former) whose season recently came to an end. Antonio Brown's 2021 campaign was characterized by issues both on and off the field, including an ankle injury, vaccination scandal, and his in-game exit in Week 17.

But with Brown no longer suiting up and Chris Godwin out after tearing his ACL, attention turns to Tampa Bay's top pass catchers: Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski. Both finished the regular season among the top 25 in the NFL in yards per game, while Evans (14) trails only MVP candidate Cooper Kupp (16) for the league lead in touchdowns.

That duo has combined for more than 42 percent of Tom Brady's passing yardage in the last three games after Godwin was injured in Week 15, while Cyril Grayson grabbed nine receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown before an injury in Week 18 that leaves him unlikely to play on Sunday. There has been an array of playmakers for Brady to target in recent weeks — the Bucs even added veteran John Brown — and Philadelphia's middle-of-the-pack defense will need to rise to the occasion in order to give the Eagles a chance to advance in the playoffs.

3. Whose late-season momentum shines forth in the playoffs?

Despite struggles at various points of the regular season, both of these teams head into the postseason riding high waves of momentum. Tampa Bay won its first two games, including a win in the league opener against eventual NFC East champion Dallas, en route to wins in six of its first seven. But the Buccaneers bookended their Week 9 bye with road losses at New Orleans and Washington, a minor blip from which they recovered via a 7-1 record since mid-November to close the regular season.

The Eagles, meanwhile, started the 2021 campaign with just one win in their first four games — a win in the season opener followed by three straight losses — but turned it around in the back half of the season to go 6-2 in their final eight games. Their final game of the regular season, though, was a disappointing 51-26 loss to Dallas last Saturday night.

The Eagles endured that three-game losing streak early in the season as well as a two-loss stretch in October — which included the Week 6 loss to the Buccaneers — but rebounded from each of their two November losses with wins in the following week. The Eagles will look to keep that energy and rebound from the regular-season finale in hopes of notching another road win against the NFC South, as Philadelphia lost to Tampa Bay and New Orleans at home while beating Atlanta and Carolina on the road.

Final Analysis

Two of the last four Super Bowl champions are set to square off when Philadelphia heads to Tampa for the first round of the NFC playoffs. Three consecutive wins to close the regular season provide a nice wave of momentum for the Buccaneers, while the Eagles will aim to build on their 6-3 record away from Lincoln Financial Field in their first road playoff game in three seasons and just their third in the last 12 seasons. Tampa may not be whole, but they are still the champs until someone beats them, and I don't think it will be the Eagles.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Eagles 21

so scared to get a first down to end the game. Especially when you’re an offensive team, i hate the conservative play. Let your balls hang out and stop pinning it on your D.