Sunday Night Football: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders​

Win and you're in. It's that simple for the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders as their Week 18 "Sunday Night Football" matchup concludes the 2021 NFL regular season. These two AFC West division rivals have fought through a year’s worth of adversity to get themselves to the precipice of the playoffs at 9-7.

"This is going to be an outstanding football game for the NFL," Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said this week. "It's kind of like a playoff game before the playoffs start."

Just don't expect either team to wave the white flag before kickoff despite a weird scenario where, if there's a tie, both clinch the AFC's final two postseason spots. It comes into play if the Colts lose to the two-win Jaguars earlier on Sunday, a result that can never be counted out in this year of parity.

The Chargers enter the game still licking their wounds three weeks removed from an overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that would have given them control of the AFC West. A loss to the 4-12 Texans followed, the type of maddening inconsistency that's dogged Staley in his first season as a head coach after a strong 4-1 start. When at their best, L.A. can play with anyone, owning wins over playoff teams like the Chiefs, Bengals and Eagles while boasting one of the league's best young playmakers in quarterback Justin Herbert.

The Chargers cannot lose and make the playoffs while the Raiders have an out: they clinch if both the Colts and Steelers lose. But the fact we're even talking about the Raiders in contention is borderline remarkable. The team was left for dead after a 3-0 start turned sour with the firing of head coach Jon Gruden after an ugly email scandal that shook the NFL and Raider Nation.

Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who was never a head coach at any level, had a rocky start but righted the ship with three straight December wins over the Browns, Broncos and Colts. That’s tied for the longest active AFC win streak as his team attempts to avenge an earlier 28-14 Chargers loss under Gruden back on Oct. 4.

Can Bisaccia help the Raiders clinch their first playoff berth in Sin City (and first since 2016) with the support of their hometown fans? Or will the Chargers repeat the form they showed last week in a 34-13 thrashing of the Broncos to earn a spot?

Sunday Night Football: Los Angeles (9-7) at Las Vegas (9-7)

Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Spread: Chargers -3

Three Things to Watch

1. Which players will be unavailable due to injury and COVID-19 protocols?

For the most pivotal game of the NFL regular season, you can't get past COVID-19 and how it affects every 53-man roster. Luckily for both these teams, they're relatively illness-free. (Just two Raiders reserves remain under protocol).

That's a long uphill climb back for the Chargers after losing key players like former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (linebacker Joey Bosa), running back Austin Ekeler, and two Pro Bowl offensive linemen (center Corey Linsley, tackle Rashawn Slater) ahead of their matchup against the Texans. Now, all those players have been removed from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and ready to contribute. Even tight end Jared Cook was activated this week, filling a key hole with the terrifying concussion suffered by Donald Parham Jr. last month.

On the injury front, just a handful of players are questionable besides Parham (injured reserve), with only one Chargers starter (linebacker Drue Tranquill) remaining in doubt after missing the Broncos game last week with a leg injury. Linsley remains bothered by a back injury but should be fine to start; fellow Pro Bowler, safety Derwin James Jr., will be on the field despite a sore hamstring. James' interception with three minutes left sealed the deal against the Raiders in October and he'll be needed for a secondary that's gone the last two games without a pick.

The Raiders are a different story, placing a whopping 17 players on this week's injury report. Among those limited are running back Josh Jacobs (ribs), defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (back), wide receiver DeSean Jackson (not injury related), and tight end Darren Waller (knee). At least Waller's appearance is optimistic, seeking to play for the first time in over a month to open up another passing option for David Carr.

Just tread lightly on the Raiders and how much these injuries disrupt their rhythm. A lot of the key cogs hobbled are on offense, a discouraging sign for a team scoring just 18.7 points per game during their three-game win streak.

2. Can the Raiders' offense control the line of scrimmage?

Assuming Jacobs stays healthy, he's the key to a Raiders game plan focused on the Chargers' 30th-ranked rushing defense. During the last three weeks, Las Vegas hasn't done anything flashy. The Raiders have simply controlled time of possession (over 33 minutes, 40 seconds per game) while being able to extend drives at key moments (4-for-4 on fourth down).

Jacobs has been the focal point, carrying the ball 58 times. That's the most for their lead back over a three-game stretch all year. Will the Chargers' defense be able to step up? Against the Broncos, they limited the two-pronged rushing attack of Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams to just 73 yards on 24 carries. The week before? Rex Burkhead (yes, that Rex Burkhead of Patriots fame) ran for 189 yards, 6.8 yards a carry, and two touchdowns in an embarrassing performance for their D.

Back in October, the Chargers were successful in stopping Jacobs, limiting him to just 40 yards, no touchdowns, and just 3.1 yards per carry.

3. Which quarterback will step out of the shadows?

Superstars deliver in key moments, and Sunday night will be the biggest in second-year quarterback Herbert's career. The Chargers' Pro Bowl signal-caller already has set a team record with 35 touchdown passes; three of those coming in the first meeting against the Raiders. He's gone turnover-free against this team in three starts, passing for 862 yards and a QB Rating well above 100.

Herbert has plenty of weapons, from Ekeler to wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams (1,000 yards for both). The biggest difference this year is how he's learned how to use them, a growth spurt not lost on the Raiders.

"Not too many quarterbacks can go from a first, second and then third read," Raiders linebacker K.J. Wright said earlier this week. "[Herbert's] really good at that. He has a lot of poise. Has a ton of weapons… we can't just let him sit back there."

On the other sideline, Derek Carr has struggled to even have a third option with all the offensive changes: the Waller injury, loss of Henry Ruggs III, and disappointing play of Jackson. They've won this past month with Carr managing the game for them instead of winning it.

For that to change Sunday, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has to get more involved. After 13 catches in a loss against the Chiefs, Renfrow's had 13 total during this three-game win streak despite being the Raiders' leading receiver. The presence of Waller might open up coverage, presenting more opportunities for one of the NFL's pleasant surprises this season.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen reports the plan is to use some Hi-Lo schemes for Renfrow on third down. But at the end of the day… Carr must execute. His Raiders tenure has included more Pro Bowl appearances (three) than playoff bids (one) and a disappointing 56-70 record as a starter. At age 30 and with a vibrant QB market this offseason, Sunday could mark his last best chance to prove his long-term worth as the starter.

Final Analysis

How you feel about this game depends on how lucky you feel about the Raiders. On paper, they don't appear to be a playoff team; a minus-11 turnover margin would be the worst for a playoff team since Indianapolis in 2012. They rank 31st in red zone efficiency on offense and dead last in red zone defense. Only three AFC teams (the Jets, Texans and Jaguars) rank lower than their minus-68 point differential.

But isn't Vegas about getting lucky? Starting with their wild, season-opening overtime win over the Ravens, this team has set an NFL record with five victories on the final play of the game. That's created confidence around field goal kicker Daniel Carlson along with an unwavering belief they're never out of any game.

The Chargers have the greater upside and more talent. The Raiders? They just know how to win.

In a year filled with parity, that feels plenty good enough when the Silver and Black are playing at home.

Prediction: Raiders 24, Chargers 21

Sunday, Jan. 9

LATE GAMES
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 (FOX)
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, 4:25 pm (FOX)
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, 4:25 pm (CBS)
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 pm (FOX)
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 4:25 pm (CBS)
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 pm (CBS)

EARLY GAMES
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 1 pm (CBS)
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 1 pm (FOX)
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions, 1 pm (FOX)
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans, 1 pm (CBS)
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 pm (CBS)
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, 1 pm (FOX)
Washington Football Team at New York Giants, 1 pm (FOX)

SNF
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:20 pm (NBC, Peacock)

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ALREADY PLAYED

Saturday, Jan. 8
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, 4:30 pm (ESPN, ABC)
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 pm (ESPN, ABC)

Sunday, Jan. 9

EARLY GAMES
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 1 pm (CBS)
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 1 pm (FOX)
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions, 1 pm (FOX)
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans, 1 pm (CBS)
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 pm (CBS)
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, 1 pm (FOX)
Washington Football Team at New York Giants, 1 pm (FOX)

LATE GAMES
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 (FOX)
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, 4:25 pm (FOX)
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, 4:25 pm (CBS)
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 pm (FOX)
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 4:25 pm (CBS)
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 pm (CBS)

SNF
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:20 pm (NBC, Peacock)

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ALREADY PLAYED

Saturday, Jan. 8
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, 4:30 pm (ESPN, ABC)
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 pm (ESPN, ABC)

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!

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ROD Chat Room;

Game Day Room

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Jared Goff in 2018 (16 games): 4688 yds, 101.1 QBR, 32-12 TD-INT. Team 13-3 2nd seed
Matt Stafford 2021 (16 games): 4648 yds, 103.5 QBR, 38-15 TD-INT. Team 12-4 2nd seed

It is surprising to recall just how good Goff looked in 2018, and his numbers are not far off Stafford's. Even in 2019 Goff passed for 4638 (although his other numbers fell off). I am not attempting to start a war. I love Stafford and I loved Goff, and still hope he does well with the Lions. I believe Stafford is an upgrade over Goff. Perhaps the similarity in numbers indicates we will be back in the SB. Go Stafford and go Rams.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles​

Both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles can breathe easy heading into their NFL Week 18 regular-season finale. Each of them has clinched a playoff spot and could potentially face off again in the NFC Wild Card Round next week.

The Cowboys (11-5), NFC East division champs, enter this game as the No. 4 seed and can fall no further than that. A win could put them as high as No. 2, with some help, but they're eliminated from the race for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and a first-round bye.

The Eagles (9-7), meanwhile, enter this weekend the No. 7 seed after securing their spot with a win at Washington last week. Based on a quirk in NFL tiebreaker rules, they can actually lose this game and still move up to No. 6 based on other results around the playoff bubble.

With little to gain, expect both teams to play it safe as they keep the larger goal of a Super Bowl in mind. That said, either of these longtime division rivals could use a win as they look to gather a little extra momentum entering the postseason. The Eagles come in hot, 6-1 in their last seven games, but were dismantled by the Cowboys 41-21 in prime time earlier this season. They'd love to avenge that loss the same way the Cowboys would like to recapture that rhythm after they stumbled to a 25-22 loss last Sunday against the Cardinals.

Dallas (11-5) at Philadelphia (9-7)

Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 8 at 8:15 p.m ET
TV: ESPN/ABC
Spread: Cowboys -5

Three Things to Watch

1. Will the starters for each team play the full game?

For Dallas, the answer appears to be a resounding "yes." Owner Jerry Jones made clear this week he expects little, if anything, to change with the game plan if he has anything to say about it.

"We plan to play," he said on Dallas' 105.3 The Fan this week. "We plan to play to win … obviously, the debate over the two ways to go is pretty obvious, but I like to play. In this particular case, we're going to have an extra day's rest [Saturday night game] between our last game and the first playoff game. I think we're better served by going out there and executing and having our team out there really playing like it's the playoff game we'll be playing the next week."

With that type of public proclamation, don't expect Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy to change course. There are, indeed, things to work on for this group after quarterback Dak Prescott fumbled three times (one lost) against the Cardinals while the team's 10th-ranked rushing attack was held to just 45 yards and no touchdowns. It's a far cry from the dominant performance Prescott (four TD passes), running back Ezekiel Elliott (rushing TD) and the offense put together in a 56-14 thumping of Washington the week before.

Whether the Eagles pursue the same full-game, play-your-starters strategy is unclear. First-year head coach Nick Sirianni is keeping his cards closer to the vest, saying in a press conference earlier this week, "We'll keep everything on the table. Not sure what we're going to do quite yet."

However, the team's star running back, Miles Sanders, is not expected to play despite improvement from a broken hand suffered in Week 16 against the Giants. That's a small clue Sirianni might hold back with some other key offensive players (QB Jalen Hurts, ankle; T Lane Johnson, knee) who could benefit from additional rest. Keep in mind backup quarterback Gardner Minshew was sensational in his lone start this year (20-for-25, 242 yards, 2 TDs, 133.7 passer rating), so the Eagles don't feel they lose much if they dip down into their reserves.

2. Who will be out because of COVID-19 protocols?

Sadly, this is still a question that needs to be asked every week with the virus raging over the country like never before. Among the Eagles starters currently parked on the list are Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, tight end Dallas Goedert, cornerback Avonte Maddox, and safeties Rodney McLeod and Marcus Epps. Running backs Boston Scott and Jordan Howard, who had been sharing the backfield load with Sanders out, also have landed themselves on the list.

The good news for the Eagles is those dozen players are now exempt from testing for the next 90 days, meaning all will be automatically eligible for their wild-card game next week. Running back will be the position affected the most, illness and injury leaving Kenneth Gainwell the only healthy one on the roster guaranteed to play.

For the Cowboys, their big COVID-19 name is Defensive Rookie of the Year contender Micah Parsons. The linebacker was added to the list on Wednesday, joined by two other starters, tackle Tyron Smith and cornerback Anthony Brown. All of them, unlike some of the Eagles players, are guaranteed to miss Saturday's contest based on the ever-changing NFL quarantine rules.

Parsons and Brown performed well against the Eagles earlier this year, totaling an interception and a half-sack as Hurts was left off-balance throughout the night. But overall, the sheer number of Eagles potentially out puts them at a far greater disadvantage on Saturday night.

3. Will the Eagles be able to run the ball?

This question could be a moot point depending on how many running backs actually suit up. But the league's No. 1 rushing offense fell flat against the Cowboys the first time around, racking up a season-low 64 yards with Sanders only getting two carries.

Since then, there's been an offensive metamorphosis that led to the Eagles' second-half turnaround. They've averaged almost 39 rushing attempts per game during their recent 6-1 surge; compare that with a season-low 12 carries against the Cowboys in Week 3. With a solid chance that they'll face this team again in the playoffs, expect the Eagles to at least test the waters with their new ground-and-pound attack to see how they stack up against the NFL's 15th-ranked rushing defense.

Final Analysis

This one's hard to handicap considering the sheer number of players who might be missing. What tips the scales here is how many running backs are eligible for the Eagles Saturday night. If Scott and Howard play, Philadelphia should win this rematch at home even if they choose to rest some of their starters. (Minshew is more than capable of being a starting QB in his own right.) The Cowboys looked a bit overmatched against a good Cardinals team and will be missing some of their key defensive playmakers on the road.

But if the current COVID-19 list holds, Philadelphia might simply be down too many good players to stay competitive. The Cowboys technically have more to gain, potentially moving up the playoff seeding list, and their insistence on playing starters means you have to give them the edge while keeping a side-eye on which Eagles suit up to play.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Eagles 13

Saturday Afternoon Football - Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos​

Saturday's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos involves one team with playoff-related business still to attend to while the other gets ready to head into an offseason of uncertainty.

The Chiefs (11-5) still have a shot at the AFC's No. 1 seed, but after losing last week in Cincinnati 34-31 to snap their eight-game winning streak, KC is no longer in control of its own destiny. The Chiefs not only need to beat (or tie) Denver on Saturday but they also need Tennessee to lose to Houston (who beat the Titans in Nashville in Week 11) to secure home-field advantage and the coveted first-round bye.

The Chiefs and Broncos met in Week 12 with KC holding serve at home and winning 22-9. It wasn't Patrick Mahomes' best game, as he went 15-of-29 for 184 yards and an interception. Mahomes didn't throw for a touchdown but did run one in. Denver's Teddy Bridgewater, who is out for this game because of a concussion, tossed two interceptions in the loss.

Last week, the Chiefs' defense struggled against Cincinnati, as the combination of Joe Burrow (446 passing yards, 4 TDs) and Ja'Marr Chase (11 rec., 266 yds., 3 TDs) was unstoppable. Kansas City had little trouble moving the ball (414 yds., 7.1 per play) against the Bengals and led by 14 points on three different occasions, but got outscored 17-3 in the second half. Cincinnati did a good job containing Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, holding the duo to a combined 65 yards on 11 catches.

Denver (7-9) has lost three straight and four of its last six since a Week 11 bye. The biggest problem has been the offense, a unit that has scored 13 points or fewer in five of its last seven. In place of an injured Bridgewater, Drew Lock went 18-of-25 for 245 yards and one touchdown last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, but he didn't get much help from the ground game in the 34-13 loss. The Broncos' lack of success on the ground (83 yds. on 27 carries) was disappointing considering Los Angeles' struggles vs. the run this season. The defense held the Chargers to 341 yards but couldn't get to Justin Herbert or force any turnovers, allowing the home to jump out to a 17-0 lead at which point the game was over.

Kansas City (11-5) at Denver (7-9)

Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN/ABC
Spread: Kansas City -10

Three Things to Watch

1. Denver's motivation

The Vegas oddsmakers are telling us all we need to know about motivation in this one. The Broncos have nothing to play for other than getting one more look at Lock to see if he's the potential future for Denver at quarterback. Last year in their final meaningless game of the season, Denver lost 32-31 to Vegas in one of Lock's best games of his career. Vic Fangio may also be coaching for his job, although I'm guessing a victory on Saturday won't change things.

2. Kansas City mirage

The Chiefs' defense was exposed last week, and it's a real question whether they are the unit that was gashed by the Bengals or the group that shut down the Cowboys and Packers earlier in the season. Kansas City had a very friendly schedule down the stretch, with six of nine games at home before Saturday's finale. Despite improvement, the Chiefs rank 26th in the league with 369.3 yards per game allowed. That number has gone up to 402 over the last three, which featured tilts with the Chargers, Steelers, and Bengals. But there's no reason why they can't limit the damage Denver's offense does on Saturday.

3. How long will Patrick Mahomes play?

Being realistic, Tennessee is not going to lose to Houston (again), so Kansas City won't be the No. 1 seed. So with a playoff game looming next weekend, how long will Andy Reid keep the starters in? Scoreboard watching isn't an option with the Titans-Texans playing on Sunday. It would make sense that the starters play a few series or into the second quarter but after that expect to see a different lineup on the field, especially if the Chiefs get out a decent lead early. Since throwing 10 interceptions over a seven-game stretch earlier in the year, Mahomes has just over his last seven starts. He's certainly picked up his play and will look to finish the regular season on the right foot. Just don't count on seeing him out on the field in the second half.

Final Analysis

One team has something to play for, the other doesn't. Don't overcomplicate things here as the Chiefs take care of business in the Mile High City.

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Broncos 13

Just a few pictures from the Baltimore trip.

I bet you wonder why I have so few posts here at ROD, considering my early membership date in 2010, I have been posting a lot the last few years and so the discrepancy isn't as large as it once was. The reason was that I spent many hours at a NFC West trolling site called Spiked KoolAid, or SKA. We were savage with one another, but there was a lot of humor in the trolling.

Nothing was off limits. It was free speech personified, which includes offensive speech. It got so rough that after several years there, I finally had enough. There were a few opposing fans that I could not stand, one of which was the site owner, Chris Keal. But like I said, even though we went after each other verbally, he never banned me when he could have, so I respect that. ANYWAY, it brings me to a guy who was a 49er fan whose user name was BMT.

I found out today BMT died at age 31. I am fucking stunned. He was a viciously funny guy who could take a joke as well as deliver one at you. Heaven help me (or him) during Niner week if our team lost. We often did the most humiliating user name bets that we had to wear for a week or longer if we lost a bet, and it was a thing at SKA that put some zest in divisional games. I came to like Ronnie (BMT), over the years. He was of Native American ancestry, which of course made me call him an Injun (among other things). He was very proud of his heritage and worked for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians as an accountant. He was also an aspiring MMA fighter. He was a tough guy, who I'd internet challenge to "come at me bro." He knew I was an old guy and so it was fun between us.

I lost contact with him when I left SKA. He didn't use twitter, but I knew another Rams fan who is a member here and at SKA, and so I found out today that BMT died and I am devastated. He was only 31 years old and in excellent shape. He had the world by the tail in many respects. I never met him face to face, but that doesn't matter to me. I can't believe that he's gone.

Rest in Peace, brother.


Ronnie is facing the camera in the ring.

I was thinking about this yesterday, basking in my eternal hatred for the Niners. Where are they on ROD? We have a couple Cardinal fans who post here and fans of teams from other divisions and even the lesser conference. I believe @SuperMan28 was a St Louis Rams fan at one point, but now chooses the Chefs. Is it because the fan bases hate each other so much that they can’t speak civilly? Or is it because they don’t have the intestinal fortitude to face us on our own ground? Or,and I speak of Niner fans in particular, they are too stupid to troll effectively?

Congrats to @CGI_Ram for winning 20k in last weeks contest, just 2 points away from an exact score prediction.


Lets see if we can get another exact score winner this week.

Lets hear what you got…

Hi all. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it to this big game due to possible exposure.

Tickets are reselling for a a lot but I don’t want to list them on the public market because most likely a Niner fan will buy them. Wanting to sell my two season tickets in section 213 row six to a Rams fan for 250 each obo (currently the cheapest ticket to get in is around this cost with fees).

Attaching a view from the seats.

Mods please delete if not allowed.

I normally wouldn't feel jilted by a sports podcast stopping without warning, but it's true here. Sosa has been the host of Locked on Rams for more than a year, or there about....He took over the show from previous host Brad Mader (sp?). If you don't know of them, "Locked On" covers every NFL team, as far as I know, each with it's own host.

Sosa had done a good job until last week covering the Rams in a podcast, with four-five shows weekly. He said on the day he quit, that the downloads of the podcasts had almost doubled since he took the show from Mader. But just before the Ravens game in his final Locked on Rams podcast, he mentioned that he didn't know who who would be taking over the podcast, but it was his last day. He quit PFF and Locked on Rams to be the head of NFL info at Underdog Fantasy.

There was no coverage of the Rams win over the Ravens and now it's 49er week to decide the division and playoff seeding, followed by the playoffs itself, and he dropped the ball. His sudden departure has made me think him untrustworthy and a little bit short-sighted and the Locked On show itself as being unstable. He wants to make the NFL his profession, but he's burned a bridge with many subscribers like myself. I am sure that it was a time intensive job (he did get paid for it), but if I see his name associated with anything NFL in the future, I'll ignore it. He left Rams fans hanging, and I don't appreciate it.

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he said the gsot wouldn't even be the best offense in the nfc west right now.

what?

the gsot would score 50 points in the first half alone right now. can't touch the wrs, can't touch the qb. can you imagine kurt warner with the rules today? bruce and holt? hakim? marshall out of the backfield?

fuck that clown.

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Achilles healed, Rams’ Cam Akers is ready to roll in regular-season finale against 49ers​

Rams running back Cam Akers, who suffered a torn Achilles in July, is on track to make his season debut Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, coach Sean McVay said Wednesday.

Akers was injured before training camp, seemingly sidelining him for the season. But Akers was activated to the roster two weeks ago.

Akers was listed as a full participant for the Rams’ jog-through Wednesday.

“Everybody else was at a jog-through and Cam was full-speed, flying around,” McVay said during a video conference. “So, he’s excited. He’ll be ready to go.

“Looking forward to seeing Cam make his debut this week.”

The enthusiasm in McVay’s voice whenever he was asked about Akers was infused with gamesmanship.

The Rams (12-4) have lost five games in a row against the 49ers (9-7), and McVay no doubt wants to keep 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan guessing.

The stakes will be high for both teams Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

If the Rams win, they will claim their third NFC West title in five seasons and earn the No. 2 seed for the NFC playoffs. If the 49ers win, they will earn a playoff spot.

Akers’ return strengthens a team that added linebacker Von Miller and receiver Odell Beckham Jr. at midseason.

After Akers played well as a rookie last season, McVay had planned to make the former Florida State star a centerpiece of the offense with an expanded role. That plan was shelved when Akers was injured, and the Rams traded for Sony Michel to back up oft-injured Darrell Henderson.

It proved a smart move.

Michel has been the starter for the last five games — and the Rams have won all of them.

In Sunday’s 20-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Michel rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown in 19 carries. He averaged more than 100 yards rushing in the previous four games.

Working Akers into the regular-season finale will be a “feel thing” McVay said.

“You definitely want to make sure you keep Sony rolling,” McVay said. “But being able to get Cam involved and get his feet wet is something that’s important. ... Whether it’s package with both of them on the field or Cam kind of supplementing Sony if he needs a blow, that will be a little bit of a feel thing.”

But the Rams will be not overwork Akers, McVay said.

“He looks like he could carry it and play a lot of plays, but I think you want to be smart with an incremental approach,” he said.

“Is that 10 snaps? Is that 20? Is that 25?” he said. “I think that’s something that as the week progresses we’ll have a better feel for, but definitely want to get him involved.”

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth said Akers was excited for his opportunity.

“I think that they’ve tried to hold him back, just because it’s been insane, really, how fast he’s been healed and how well he’s done,” Whitworth said. “But seeing him all the time and being with him in the locker room and the training room when he’s been rehabbing, it doesn’t shock me.

“Just with the mentality he’s had and, really, the confidence you’ve seen in him from day one with this thing.”

Akers’ energy and positive attitude lifts teammates in the huddle, Whitworth said.

“He’s got a great aura about him and a great personality of just pushing guys, and he’s talkative and he’s in the moment,” Whitworth said. “It’s been fun, just the little time I’ve been with him to be in some huddles with him and realize how much he loves football.

“And I think it’s almost infectious how excited he is to get opportunities in games, and I think that’s something that brings guys up around him.”

Saturday, Jan. 8
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, 4:30 pm (ESPN, ABC)
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 pm (ESPN, ABC)

Sunday, Jan. 9

EARLY GAMES
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 1 pm (CBS)
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 1 pm (FOX)
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions, 1 pm (FOX)
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans, 1 pm (CBS)
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 pm (CBS)
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, 1 pm (FOX)
Washington Football Team at New York Giants, 1 pm (FOX)

LATE GAMES
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 (FOX)
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, 4:25 pm (FOX)
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, 4:25 pm (CBS)
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 pm (FOX)
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 4:25 pm (CBS)
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 pm (CBS)

SNF
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:20 pm (NBC, Peacock)

TV MAP

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they were leading 24-20 with 2 mins to play.

4th and 2 at the bucs 7 yard line.

they call a qb sneak into the meat of the bucs line?

try not to make it too obvious jets.

that was worse than the zero blitz in the last seconds against the raiders last season. the rams were so bad against them the next week they couldn't even throw that game. although i think they tried on special teams but nsimba ran straight into the kicker.

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Due to LA restrictions on amount of fans allowed in stadium. May move to Dallas. What a crock of shit.

Awesome, awesome game. Son and I were 11 rows back of the Rams Bench on the 35. Boy those Ravens fans filed out quickly after the last play. One of the most fun times I've had at a game. Ravens fans really didn't say much at all and there were a good amount of Rams fans in my section. Stafford never wavers even after the picks he was calm and got everyone ready on the sideline. If he does play a clean game(s) in the playoffs, we are going to be one tough out.

Southwest cancelled about EVERY Flipping flight back (weather,Covid); it was nuts. American Airlines was far better. Finally made it back home today. Rest up, catch up on work, and getting ready for the whiners.

Cheers and go Rams.

Rams schedule not projected yet but I did see projected schedules for Seahawks and Saints. Based on that, it seems that the NFC West teams will have rotation games against NFC South and AFC West + our own division. That's 14 games right there. The remaining 3-games are still tbd.

“The league also plans to eliminate the Wonderlic test for prospective players”

Ever wondered which one's the biggest and how they determine that? This show goes into all of it.

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