No Spoilers, just aired today.

I have to credit Jon Favreau for his creative story telling. The guy definitely grew up on Star Wars. The show moves pretty fast and felt like it was over just after it started.

If you like the Mandolarian, or any of the Star Wars movies you’re in for a treat IMO.

Obviously love the 2003 Faulk addition.

I loved the 2001 edition. I’d create my own guys and put them in the Rams Roster. Typically a DE or TE and make them All-Pro.

After 15 games in 2021, Matthew Stafford has been a whirlwind as the Los Angeles Rams QB in his first season

As a Los Angeles Ram, Stafford has shown his strengths, and he's clearly revealed his weaknesses that were displayed during his first 12 seasons in Detroit.

With 2 games left to play in 2021 (Stafford's QBR Ranking is 63.6) Ranked #4
espn.com

With 2 games left to play in 2021 (Stafford's Passer Rating is 104.0) Ranked #3
teamrankings.com

Statistics are often overrated, but in 2021 Stafford has shown over 15 games he's a top 5 rated QB with his overall body of work by several metrics.


(On the negative side) Stafford has not been a top 5 rated QB over his last 8 games.

Stafford's record in his last 8 games is 5-3.


Stafford's statistics in his last 8 games.

Att 293, Comp 190, %64.85, YDS 2167, AVG 7.4, TD 17, INT 9, Rating 93.5
profootballreference.com

Stafford's career playoff wins: 0-3

Att 117, Comp 74, %63.25, YDS 908, AVG 7.29, TD 4, INT 3, Rating 87.8


Rams' fans already know it doesn't matter if he plays well in the last 2 games of this season.

Stafford will be judged by his performance in the playoffs.

Stafford has never played in home playoff game.

If the Rams win their last 2 regular season games, he will be guaranteed to host his first playoff game in his 13-year career.

If the Cardinals finish the season 1-1 and Rams finish their season 1-1, he will host his first playoff game.

Stafford is under the microscope by many fans and several of the NFL media talking heads.

There is a consistent lack of trust in Stafford as the NFC playoff seedings get sorted out over the last two games of the season.

Many in the NFL media don't believe Stafford can be consistent and play well in 4 straight games against playoff caliber football teams.

Stafford is clearly the most fascinating QB to follow during this year's playoffs.


Stafford's Career Stats:

2021 Rams Att 534 Comp 357 %66.85 YDS 4339 AVG 8.1 TD 36 INT 13 Rating 104.0

2020 Lions Att 528 Comp 339 %64.02 YDS 4084 AVG 7.7 TD 26 INT 10 Rating 96.3

2019 Lions Att 291 Comp 187 %64.26 YDS 2499 AVG 8.6 TD 19 INT 5 Rating 106.0

2018 Lions Att 555 Comp 367 %66.13 YDS 3777 AVG 6.8 TD 21 INT 11 Rating 89.9

2017 Lions Att 565 Comp 371 %65.66 YDS 4446 AVG 7.9 TD 29 INT 10 Rating 99.3

2016 Lions Att 594 Comp 388 %65.32 YDS 4327 AVG 7.3 TD 24 INT 10 Rating 93.3

2015 Lions Att 592 Comp 398 %67.23 YDS 4262 AVG 7.2 TD 32 INT 13 Rating 97.0

2014 Lions Att 602 Comp 363 %60.03 YDS 4257 AVG 7.1 TD 22 INT 12 Rating 85.7

2013 Lions Att 634 Comp 371 %58.52 YDS 4650 AVG 7.3 TD 29 INT 19 Rating 84.2

2012 Lions Att 727 Comp 435 %59.83 YDS 4967 AVG 6.8 TD 20 INT 17 Rating 79.8

2011 Lions Att 663 Comp 421 %63.05 YDS 5038 AVG 7.6 TD 41 INT 16 Rating 97.2

2010 Lions Att 96 Comp 57 %59.38 YDS 535 AVG 5.6 TD 6 INT 1 Rating 91.3

2009 Lions Att 377 Comp 201 %53.32 YDS 2267 AVG 6.0 TD 13 INT 20 Rating 61.0

TOTAL Att 6758, Comp 4255, %62.96, YDS 49,448, AVG 7.3, TD 318, INT 157, Career Rating 91.00

First person: Andrew Whitworth says COVID absences have strengthened Rams’ resolve​

Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth walks back to the locker room after the team defeated the Detroit Lions on Oct. 24 at SoFi Stadium.
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)

BY ANDREW WHITWORTHAS TOLD TO SAM FARMER
DEC. 28, 2021 5 AM PT

When you’re 40 years old, there are plenty of weeks you don’t feel great going into an NFL game. But Sunday was weird. In 16 seasons, this was the first game I missed for something other than an injury.

But there I was, in my living room, while the rest of my Rams teammates were in Minnesota getting ready to play the Vikings.

I tested positive for COVID, even though I’m vaccinated and received the booster, so I had to sit out this critical road trip. That had me in the strange position of watching my team from afar, and there was some anxious anticipation before kickoff. I got up early and got in the sauna at my house and tried to calm myself down. I texted with some of my teammates — checked in with Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Rob Havenstein and others — then sat around for an hour waiting for the game to start.


Andrew Whitworth stands in his home watching the Rams play the Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, because of COVID test results.

No pregame shows for me. I don’t like them. If I watched any of those shows it would be Fox, because I know most of those guys and know they do a great job. It’s not really about them. But those shows create chatter and stress. I don’t think it’s good for players to listen to that. You don’t want to be listening to narratives or having those things dictate your thoughts about the game.

Just like a regular game day, I didn’t eat anything. I’ll have some coffee in the morning, but I won’t eat. At most, I’ll have a piece of toast with some peanut butter on it, but otherwise I wait until after a game to have my first meal of the day. I’m hungry then.

Sunday, I felt like a coach. I couldn’t sit down. My wife, Melissa, was on the couch scrolling through social media, but I asked her not to tell me about that. She always tells me she doesn’t write anything on Twitter, but then I’ll end up seeing people and they say, “Man, your wife’s hilarious.” So I know she’s tweeting.

My kids mostly played outside. They’d come through every once in a while, but they knew I couldn’t talk to them during the game. I felt like I had a headset on, thinking through all the situations defensively, offensively, the critical points. I was looking for the little things, the indications that would show me what kind of day it would be for us.

For instance, after we scored on our opening possession, I was really watching for how our kickoff coverage team would do. We pinned them back on their eight-yard line. Those young special teamers — Jake Funk, Travin Howard, guys like that — you want to see those guys make strides, and I think we saw that. People might overlook that, but those guys make plays that really send a message about the kind of team you’re building.

We’ve learned a lot about our team these last couple of weeks, especially when some key starters have been unavailable because of COVID. You forget sometimes in football when you’re just worried about having a perfect team, or having all the “right” guys, that it’s really about overcoming adversity. The true idea of a team is when guys step in, take on their roles and execute them.



It’s really about, regardless of what happens to us, can we find a way to win? That’s the deal with really good football teams. It’s not about can they put the most talented team out there. It’s about finding a way to win. That’s the greatest trait you can have.

Stafford is that way. Statistically, fans would say he didn’t have his best performance Sunday, yet what I saw was a quarterback who came through down the stretch when his team needed him. I feel really fortunate to be in the twilight of my career with him as my quarterback. He’s an elite leader and a really special human off the field.

I know what it’s like to make a move late in your career. I did the same thing when I came to the Rams from Cincinnati. That first year is a whirlwind. To be a veteran player and change teams after you’ve been in one place for forever, you go through all the emotions of expectations, pressure and sadness that you’re leaving all your teammates and the people in the building you’ve built a relationship with.

Los Angeles was a big adjustment for me. I think about the first time I came out of the tunnel at the Coliseum, playing Indianapolis at home in 2017, walking into that stadium and thinking, “There’s no one here.”


Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth blocks Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard during a game on Sept. 19 in Indianapolis.

Remember, I played at West Monroe (La.) on one of the best high school teams in the country at that time. We were 10,000 people deep in a little tiny stadium every Friday night.

I went to LSU, where we won a national championship under Nick Saban, won multiple SEC championships and really built what they still are today. I remember going to our first national championship and it was like we were rock stars. We literally couldn’t get into our hotel because there were so many people outside trying to touch us, cheer us on, all that.

And then when I got to Cincinnati, regardless of our success, you’ve got an awesome fan base where every week it’s sold out. You’ve got that hometown feel, and then when we started winning it was just insane.

We’re starting to see that in L.A., starting to get the feeling that we’re really building something. I’ve seen people that when I first got here had no interest in the Rams. Around town now, there’s always somebody who has something to say about us. People are having fun watching us.

That didn’t make it any easier for me to be a spectator Sunday. I was watching the clock, looking at down and distance, talking about the game situations. Of course, I was watching the offensive line, and I thought Dave Edwards and Alaric Jackson did a really good job filling in for me. Dave started at left tackle, but moved to left guard when Brian Allen got hurt, and Alaric played left tackle.



I knew Dave would do a good job. He’s played a lot of football. Alaric is a guy that Rob Havenstein and I have poured into all year and really think a lot of. We think he can be a really good football player, so it was awesome for me to see him go out there and execute. I’m really happy for him, and I reached out to him after the game and told him so.

The guys Facetimed me after the game, and that felt good. I don’t like being a spectator, but winning really helped. I hope I can test out of the COVID protocol for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.

Somebody recently asked me about the accomplishment of being the first left tackle to start at 40, and I think my answer kind of shocked them a little bit. It doesn’t make me think of the good times in my career, it makes me think of the bad times.

It makes me think of every time I’ve had to overcome an injury, every time I thought my career was probably done, every time I had to fight through a setback. That really built me into who I am.

To me, that’s what these couple of weeks have done for us as a team. They’re almost molding us into a group that just believes that if we go out and execute our style of football and play the game a certain way, we’ll win.

Damn, they just had a special on him too.

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Figured maybe we could have some fun poking at NFL dudes here a bit while we wait for Sunday. I'll start it off with the google results of "NFL" + "Bowl Cut" which has some good ones.


And no bowl cut list can exist without Notorious D, Mark Davis, disappointing son and errant collection of DNA from one of the NFL's greatest execs:


Then of course we have Dave Krieg, that former Seattle great that 80% of the "12th Man" probably couldn't identify in a lineup. Rumors persist that he refused to take his helmet off when he went to the barber:



I am sure that Aaron Rodgers, who is always a trendy douche, is filled with regret on the occasions he opens up ESPN the magazine:



And speaking of douchebag QBs no list would be complete without Tom Brady. Now I suspect this one might be doctored but does it matter?


Last but not least is Justin Herbert, good young QB as he is, looking like a natural here though it is mostly his strong hairline (that bastid):


Oh and say it ain't so 21..!!!

He talks about the oline as well and all the parts working well but his focus here is on the great blocking by Higbee and our WR's. Most non Rams fans don't have any idea how great these guys are at this aspect of the game. The fact that Kupp can go out have the day catching the ball like he did and have the year doing that he is having and still affect the run game so much blocking just makes him the best.

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Taylor, with as straight a face as he could muster, should have simply said, "Vic Fangio says hello!"



(H/T to Mike Florio at PFT for the line.)

If I am correct Cooper Kupp is only around 230 yards away from breaking Calvin Johnson’s Single Season Receiving Yardage (1964) Record and I think 17 Receptions from breaking Michael Johnson’s Receptions (149) Record. With the Rams having 2 Games left it won’t be easy but I think it can be done IF the Rams don’t sit him for any length of time.

While there is no doubt the Rams getting to and winning this Season’s Super Bowl is the most important goal for the Rams it would be nice to see a player like Cooper Kupp get into the NFL Record Books! Who would have thought when the Rams drafted WR Cooper Kupp (4.62 Time) in the 3rd Round of the 2017 NFL Draft from Eastern Washington that he might be setting new NFL Receiving Records?

There's been a lot of talk suggesting Stafford isn't 2 first-rounders better than Goff.

Some in the game day thread here and a shit ton more on Twitter.

He was bad on Sunday, but for the 4 games before that, he was very good.

As some said when we traded for him and since - he's streaky. I had no clue that was the case because wtf watches Detroit unless you're playing them? I have a friend who's a Lions fan and tries to avoid watching them.

I'm (clearly) not an X's and O's guy, but it seems to me that his best is better than Goff's best and his worst (Sunday notwithstanding) is not quite as bad.

Plus, he has more good games than Goff, at least the Goff from the Super Bowl on.

And for every Kansas City game Goff had, he also had a Chicago (that was the game that I become really concerned) and a Detroit.

2 x 1sts is a lot but it's different with a QB because the gap between bad name mediocre and mediocre and good is so small.

I personally think that Stafford over Goff is worth more than acquiring Ramsey (much though I love him) in terms of the likelihood of us winning it all.

The problem is, which Stafford will turn up in the playoffs?

Another loss by the cards puts the Rams that much closer to winning the division but is there much difference between the wildcard and winning the west if you don’t get the bye. Plus, it’s the friggen Cowboys who are SO annoying, especially when something good happens to them.
Of course if the cards and rams win rams are still in first and we’re spared Daks smug ass grinning like he won the lotto.

What can we infer from Cam Akers’ apparent soon to be “active” status?

I think it is a question with a two-part answer.

1. That he is healthy enough to play without creating an undo risk of re-injury. That part is purely a medical position that can only be assessed by team doctors. I presume that, in making this assessment, Cam’s opinion and desire/willingness to take on the risk of returning were not significant factors. I also presume (or, at least, strongly hope) that no team doctor would risk his or her professional status and reputation by signing off on the return of a player who is likely to suffer a re-injury. So…on this issue, I’m not too worried.

2. That the Rams and Cam believe he can be effective. This is less of a scientific issue. While the doctors no doubt have an opinion, on this issue the beliefs of the team and the player can be the deciding factors. Are they right? I sure hope so, but it remains to be seen.

Per espn Jimmy has a broken thumb and torn ligaments. Remains to be seen if he can play with it.

According the playoff predictor if the Saints win tonight and win next week. We will avoid a first round date with the Niners and possibly host New Orleans for a game. Don't get me wrong i want to beat the Niners but i honestly don't want to face them first round. Especially after having a game against them in week 17. Should be interesting how it all unfolds

The Baltimore Ravens up-and-coming defense came to town. Little did they know they were facing a Rams team that'd eventually be known as "The Greatest Show On Turf". (Sept. 12, 1999)

*EDIT* Apologies, need to have facebook to view

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Injury update on our stud rookie ILB, hope he recovers quickly.

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Our QB throwing 3 picks? Must have happened before, but I can't recall when.

Of course could change but the 7 day forecast shows rain turning to Snow on Sunday; 1 inch predicted.

I am certainly not a huge X's and O's guy so I may be way off base here; but for me it looks like Von lines up so wide that it takes him a bit longer to get home. Now this may be by design but just wanted to see what yall thought. He did have some nice plays and is coming along, just looks odd to me.

Again its probably me....

Go RAMS!!!!

Just kiddin'

Monday Night Football: Miami Dolphins vs. New Orleans Saints​

A pair of 7-7 teams will look to keep their playoff hopes alive when the Dolphins and Saints meet on "Monday Night Football." And they're both getting hot at the right time.

The Saints stunned the Buccaneers as well as the rest of the NFL when they traveled to Tampa Bay and beat Tom Brady for the fourth straight time in the regular season. New Orleans recorded its first shut out since facing the Dolphins in London during Week 4 of the 2017 season.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, defeated the Jets at home to extend their winning streak to six games. That victory evened their record at 7-7 after they previously lost seven straight games.

New Orleans is of three 7-7 NFC teams vying for the final wild-card spot, although Minnesota and Philadelphia have tiebreakers over them and there are two more 6-8 teams hot on their tail. Miami is one of nine AFC teams with seven or eight wins and will need to leapfrog four of them to make the playoffs.

These teams have only met 12 times, with an even split in the series. However, the Saints hold a 4-2 advantage in New Orleans and have won the last three meetings.

Monday Night Football: Miami (7-7) at New Orleans (7-7)

Kickoff: Monday, Dec. 27 at 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Dolphins -1.5

Three Things to Watch

1. Can Ian Book handle the Dolphins' pressure?

Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian have tested positive for COVID-19. Barring a last minute clearance for either, Ian Book will start his first professional game — and he has yet to take the field in the regular season. His on-field experience with the Saints consists of one half of one pre-season contest. He connected on nine of his 16 passing attempts for 126, no touchdowns, and an interception.

Miami's defense has not contained opponents' aerial attacks. The Dolphins have allowed 245.5 passing yards per game, the tenth highest total in the NFL. In nine games against common opponents with the Saints, that amount drops only slightly to 238.6 passing yards. They have given up 20 passing touchdowns and intercepted just 11 passes, both tied for 16th most.

Limiting opposing passing attacks sparked the Dolphins' winning streak. In their seven defeats, they permitted an average of 294.4 yards through the air per game. During their six-game stretch of victories, that average dropped to 184.3.

Much of the Dolphins' strong play has come when they effectively harassed opposing quarterbacks. They are tied for sixth in the NFL with 37 sacks, and those sacks have resulted in 300 lost yards, second most. They lead the league with 110 quarterback hits. Consistent pressure on Book could cause the rookie to struggle behind a depleted offensive line.

2. Can any of the Saints contribute to a credible passing attack?

Due to the season-long absence of Michael Thomas, the Saints have lacked a consistent receiving threat. Last week, Marquez Callaway turned in only the second 100-yard receiving effort by a Saint of this season after exceeding 50 yards in just two other games this year. Alvin Kamara accounted for the other game with more than 100 receiving yards in addition to the two other games in which he exceeded 50 receiving yards.

Deonte Harris has tallied 50 or more receiving yards in six games, three times the number of anyone else on the team. The Saints have yet to accumulate at least 290 yards through the air in any game, as they have the third-worst passing offense in the NFL with 194 yards per game.

3. What difference can either special teams unit make?

The Dolphins' special teams units have adequately served the team though not done anything spectacular. Jaylen Waddle leads Miami with nine kickoffs for 158 yards along with four punt returns for 20 yards. Jevon Holland has the most punt returns, 11 for 82 yards. Jason Sanders has connected on all six field goal attempts from within 29 yards but only made 12 out of 18 from 30 yards and beyond. Sanders has missed only one of his 30 extra point attempts. Michael Palardy has averaged 45 yards in his 65 punts. Justin Coleman scored the only touchdown by Miami's special teamers, a blocked punt for returned two yards and the score.

New Orleans' special teams have served up some drama, positive and negative. The Saints seemed to have found a kicker after trying four others before Brett Maher. In Maher's five games, he has connected on all eight field attempts from 49 yards and closer while missing his one attempt from beyond. Harris leads the team in punt returns, 17 for 191 yards, and kickoff returns, 25 for 591 yards. The Saints' special teams units have yet to score a touchdown this year.

Final Analysis

Miami and New Orleans have played several games against common opponents. The Dolphins are 5-4 against the Bills, Buccaneers, Falcons, Giants, Jets, Panthers, and Patriots. The Saints hold a record of 4-4 versus those same teams.

The Dolphins have offset their disastrous start of the season. They still remain in contention for the AFC East crown. They do need help from others, requiring Patriots to drop at least one game and the Bills to lose two. However, they must win their final three in order for any assistance to matter.

New Orleans' defense has carried most of the responsibility for the team's moderate level of success. In the seven games since starting quarterback Jameis Winston sustained a season-ending injury, the Saints' defense has allowed an average of 20.4 points per game. Only two teams scored more than 30 in any of those contests.

The Saints require another outstanding defensive performance like the one at Tampa Bay. Barring that and without a phenomenal effort by the special teams, the Saints appear doomed. They are a depleted team that just lost even more key components. It is too much to expect them to overcome the absence of all experienced quarterbacks and several other significant contributors on both side of the ball.

Prediction: Dolphins 20, Saints 6

I remember when we first traded for Matthew Stafford and the draft was over,,a prediction from Cynthia Frelund upset me very much. So much so, I promised myself to go after her stupid assed prediction about the Rams not even making it to the playoffs in 2021, once the Rams secured a spot.


Problem being, I can’t find the prediction she made on a cable tv show, anywhere. I did find a later prediction that had the 49ers winning the division and the Rams barely getting the last Wild Card spot. Not good enough, because I KNOW she said it, but now the proof is gone. She worked for the NFL Network back then, so WTH? I remember it so clearly because I was so amped to hear the over the top projection of a Stafford/Rams Super Bowl win at SoFi. And then she dropped the bomb saying the opposite…

Does anyone else remember this awful prediction? If so, tweet her about her pre-seasonal spewage….

Your starting left tackle is out, you shuffle the line and come out firing with a solid run game and pass protection. Your center gets hurt so you shuffle the line again and yet still run well and pass protect well too. Great job by those guys today.