The Cards could lose 2 maybe 3 games without him. Murray won't have his favorite receiver. It will be interesting to see how the Cards fare with him out.

The Rams have the opportunity to take the division. I think the Cards will lose at least one game, i.e. vs Dallas.

This doesn't make sense. The NFL uses all kinds of security and law enforcement at every single game.
Why do you think they're doing this?
And what does the future hold regarding security at games?

Thursday Night Football: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers​

In a year filled with parity, few teams have turned as red hot as the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs. Their six-game win streak is second-best in the league right now to the New England Patriots, trampling their opponents with an average victory margin of 16.3 points. Kansas City (9-4) has risen from under .500 to the No. 3 seed in the conference, in position to secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason if a few games break their way down the stretch. It was a run deemed unthinkable after an uncharacteristic 3-4 start to the season.

And it's a streak that could all come crashing down on Thursday night if the Los Angeles Chargers have anything to say about it.

The Chargers boast an 8-5 record of their own, placing them one game behind the Chiefs in the division. A win against their AFC West rival gives them the division lead, knocking Kansas City down to wild-card position, and puts the Chargers in position to fight for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They've already beaten the Chiefs once this season, 30-24 at Arrowhead Stadium, and could sweep them for the first time since 2013 — Andy Reid's first year as Chiefs head coach.

The drama speaks to how tight this division and conference is, as the top 10 AFC teams are separated by just two games with four weeks left to go in the season. Wild swings are expected, making every matchup make-or-break for two squads that could finish anywhere from the No. 1 seed to missing the postseason altogether.

So can the Chargers step up behind quarterback Justin Herbert and stop the Chiefs dead in their tracks? Or will Reid and Co. keep marching on in search of their third straight Super Bowl appearance?

Thursday Night Football: Kansas City (9-4) at Los Angeles (8-5)

Kickoff: Thursday, Dec. 16 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: FOX/NFL Network
Spread: Chiefs -3

Three Things to Watch

1. Which offense will be more explosive?

The Chiefs' fourth-ranked offense is clicking on all cylinders, both on the ground and in the air. Six rushing touchdowns in the last three games have come from a variety of sources: tight end Travis Kelce, backup running back Derrick Gore, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (just his second this year).

But it's the return of Clyde Edwards-Helaire (three rushing TDs in three weeks) after an MCL sprain that has produced more balance to the offensive scheme. Once again, this team just has so many weapons that can beat you: Helaire and Darrel Williams on the ground, Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the air. Mahomes has actually continued to underperform, throwing just two total TD passes the past three weeks, but can light up the defense for a deep throw at a moment's notice.

What's changed with this group over the past two months is how they've limited mistakes. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chiefs didn't have a single dropped pass in their 48-3 thumping of the Raiders on Sunday, the first time that's happened since Week 1. They're averaging just one turnover per game during their win streak; opponents are averaging less than three points per game off those turnovers.

But in the Chargers, the Chiefs find themselves with an opponent that can match their firepower. The league's sixth-ranked offense actually edges out the Chiefs in passing yards per game, Herbert throwing 11 TD passes in just the past four games. During that stretch, they've outscored the Chiefs offense 132-130 while piling up more net yards (1,676 to 1,525).

Near picture-perfect against Kansas City in September (26-for-38, 281 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs) one could argue Herbert has even more weapons to work with now. Case in point: Jalen Guyton, who failed to catch a pass in the September game. He's come alive with seven of his 21 catches this season in just the last two weeks, posting 177 yards and two touchdowns for a team that's also capable of throwing deep.

Guyton filled a key role with Keenan Allen sitting out due to COVID-19 protocols. He's expected to play Thursday along with Austin Ekeler, who suffered an ankle injury against the New York Giants but could have returned to the game according to head coach Brandon Staley.

2. Points from an unexpected source … the defense?

Here's a stat that might raise your eyebrows: Mahomes has just as many TD passes the last three weeks as the Chiefs have defensive touchdowns (two). A Teddy Bridgewater pick-six put their game against the Denver Broncos away in the fourth quarter; then, last week, they started the game with a 23-yard fumble return for a TD against the Raiders.

It's a unit that's overcome a difficult start (still ranked 24th in the NFL) to make an impact where it matters: turnovers and pressuring the quarterback. They've forced 16 of their 23 takeaways during this winning streak, a total that ranks tied for sixth in the league, forcing a season-high five against the Raiders. And 16 of their 24 sacks have come in just the last six weeks.

The Chargers are running into a buzzsaw there, although their middling defense played perhaps its best game of the year against the Chiefs in September. They forced four turnovers (two fumbles, two picks) and held Mahomes to just 5.5 yards per attempt. The question for their defense is whether they'll be able to mount a challenge to Edwards-Helaire on the ground; their 29th-ranked rushing defense gave up 100 yards to the second-year back in September. Also, keep an eye on whether safety Derwin James Jr. suits up; he was inactive against the Giants due to a hamstring injury.

3. Extra points … literally

In a high-scoring game where every point matters, you can't help but be reminded of the Chargers; kicking woes. They signed veteran Dustin Hopkins less than two months ago, releasing Tristan Vizcaino after he missed five extra points in the team's first six games. But Hopkins has missed two in his own right, including one against the Eagles in November that left them trailing during the second half.

Harrison Butker from the Chiefs, typically one of the more reliable kickers in the game, is also having his share of problems. He's botched two PATs in just the last three weeks and is 20-for-23 on field goals this year. That doesn't seem like a lot but it's actually his worst percentage for any season (87 percent) since joining the team in 2017.

Final Analysis

Both teams have the firepower to score every time they have the ball on offense. It's a game that can and will be decided by one turnover. While Herbert has been exceptional for the Chargers, he's also thrown eight interceptions in the last eight games, two more than Mahomes.

It's the type of extra mistake that'll beat you when it comes to a battle between two of the sport's top teams. Reid knows how to win in December, and he's poised to teach a young up-and-comer, Staley, a lesson on how to do it.

Prediction: Chiefs 37, Chargers 34

First, this isn't an offer to sell to anybody, so please don't DM me about it. I'm not to that point yet, I'm just trying to figure out the best way to cover my bases in case shit goes sideways for me.

But due to a snafu in my travel schedule, there's a non-zero possibility that I won't be able to go spit into a cup tomorrow afternoon in order to have a negative test to flash gate security on Sunday, which means I might miss my 2nd game of the year (1st was intentional - the Bears, because some schmuck gave me $2,500 a ticket to sit in my season ticket seats "first" and damn near covered my seat costs for the whole year, forgetting there were 2 preseason games already ).

If I do end up having to sell my seats for the Searats, I'd rather ensure they go to a Rams fan instead of a fucking Seattlelite. My section (C130) has been pretty good all year about repping blue and gold rather than being an away team cheering section like a good chunk of the stadium, and dumb as it sounds, I'd like to do a part to keep it that way. Anyone know of a Rams focused site that has a classifieds section, just in case it comes to that for me? I did the Google thing for like 2 minutes and just didn't want to waste the time going to 50 different forums to find an active one that fits the bill.

Sub-suggestion: Why don't we have a classifieds section?

Didn't see one yet and figured this was as good a time to start as any especially with the first injury report of the week. Ours is an "estimate" since it's virtual workouts only for us atm but the Squawks have a long list of injuries.

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IDK if people noticed anything....BUT in the whole of the league:

Matthew Stafford is 3rd in passing, 2nd in TD passes, and 2nd in passer rating (among full timers). Stud.

The Rams wanted to become an international brand. Apparently, the NFL thinks they are.

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Hey Rams fans,

I like to lurk in opposing team’s forums because it gives me an unvarnished viewpoint on the Cardinals. Sometimes it’s painful, incorrect or insulting but it’s real.

Also, I’m a Rams hater for obvious reasons.

BUT…

I give credit and respect when it’s due. You guys deserved that win. Plain and simple. Here’s an oversimplified view of what I saw Monday night.

Our offense was disorganized and not prepared to adjust to your defense. We didn’t play well and your D was lights out. Well coached and well played.

Our defense played well. Not great but decent. However, your O was firing on all 8. Stafford looked like the QB you believed he would be and the reason the Rams picked him up. He picked us apart and it was painful for me to watch. As I said, our D was good. Your O was just better.

The game wasn’t as close as the score shows.

Lastly, we were out coached. I will say, everyone was going on about how we should have kicked the 3 and saved the clock. I agreed with Kingsbury. It’s way easier to get a field goal with 30 seconds or so left than a TD. I just think he thought we could score way faster. We ended up taking 3 anyway and that’s what bit us on the ass at the end of the game.

So, I still hate you guys but the Rams played a damn good game.

Congrats. It’s painful for me to say this but the better team won on Monday.

See you in the playoffs!

Edit: Oh, and at least we can all agree that the Seahawks suck!

Time to take a break I guess. Being selectively banned from a thread full of counter points of view.

Buy bye...

Power rankings mean little - but we have played the top 3 teams and handed the asses back to 2 of them and we never really showed for the third.

We are an enigma, but we're can also be fucking really good and if I was an NFC team I'd be very leery of meeting the Rams in the playoffs if we make it.

Our slump coincided entirely with Staffords slump.

If that was a blip and him getting used to losing Woods and working with OBJ, then those fuckers better beware.

If he's just super streaky (as some have said,) then he'll fail to show in at least one playoff game and we're screwed.

I think the Cards game was the most I have enjoyed any game (if almost vomiting with anxiety = enjoyment) since the Saints win.

It ticked the guts box. The well-coached box. The stars showing up box. The nobody to blame box. The we really are a team box. . The every phase box and the fuck you NFL box.

I think it's sooooooo important we enjoy this win people for what it is.

Who knows what will happen on Sunday, especially with the covid situation, but it HAS to be about the journey and not the destination.

Although the destination is pretty important it has to be said.

There have been days I wanted to go and buy a cat just so I could kick it, but overall, this is FUN!

Great win Monday, we MUST follow it up with a win on Sunday, who knows who will even be playing, but it doesn't matter, HAVE to win.

So we sit at the #5 seed. We could catch AZ but that seems slim unless they really stumble.

So if we are the #5 most likely its going to be a first round game @ Dallas. I think we would win that game. And then your looking at a game vs the #1 unless the #6 or #7 team wins their game.

So in all likelihood that would mean a return trip to GB (as GB Holds all the tiebreakers). While not ideal I don't mind this as much, as long as we are healthy.

This would be the third trip to GB within a year. The first time we played them with a QB with a broken thumb and our best Defensive player injured and probably at 50%, at best. That game was closer than the score indicated it was a 9 point game going into the 4th Qtr, I thought we battled, but a broken thumb in the cold there is only so much you can do.

The second time we were coming off a bye and looked a bit rusty to me (and acclimating new guys). If we cleaned up the turnovers, (that muffed punt was a killer) I feel we would have won the game. Remember this was a 3 point game at halftime.

So IF we MUST go to GB for a third time, if our guys are healthy, Id like our chances.

I know this is all speculation and it may never happen but its fun to think about. Must build off the momentum of Monday night.

Go Rams

I always thought Kurt Warner was special and the Rams were beyond stupid to trade him after we won sb 34.

I believe we would have won SB 36 if not for the holding being allowed in that game not to mention the cheating.

I believe Kurt would have been our franchise QB for many more years. Bulger was ok but I believe we would have been in the SB that year instead of Carolina if Warner was our man.

Owners are meeting this week and will vote on a change that would actually go in place this year.

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This is pretty huge, you could get coaches on playoff teams interviewing the last couple of weeks virtually since I'm sure all such meetings in the covid protocol are supposed to be virtual.

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With that figure they've been planning on, which can always be adjusted, and the 2021 remaining cap rolling over we're slated to have about $4.4 million in cap space. That's with people like Whitworth who's future is uncertain. Fortunately the dead money that plagued us this year is all gone. Matt Stafford can always be extended and his roster bonus of $10 million can be manipulated in the usual ways. There don't look like any guys that can be moved/waived for big savings but a lot of guys that can be moved for about am illion in savings. Should be an interesting off season again. Lots of draft picks just none high in the draft and limited cap space. They've expressed a desire to bring back Miller and OBJ but we have a decent list of free agents as well.


What do you all think?

I’m kind curious if Morris changed his defensive approach without Jalen. We know Jalen gets moved all over to maximize his impact and we know Williams can play the star as well but obviously not as well. Was Williams moving around or did they scrap that for last nite’s game?

** MOD EDIT 12/15/21**
ANYONE POSTING VAC / ANTI VAC MESSAGES WILL BE BANNED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THIS THREAD.
WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT OPEN, DUE TO RELEVANT NFL NEWS ONLY




Not the best start to a short week vs Seahawks. Stafford said it well in his post game. If you don't take care of business the next week, a big win doesn't mean anything. Gotta find a way to keep it together for the Seahawks.

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Somewhere in NFL HQ...

Commish: "WTF JUST HAPPENED. I THOUGHT WE AGREED THE CARDINALS WERE THIS YEAR'S TEAM. HOW DID WE NOT DO ENOUGH HERE?"


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(Percentages courtesy of Football Outsiders)

Right now the Rams have a 98% chance of making the playoffs.

Their most likely spot is their current #5 seed (65.1%).

The Cardinals are a near-lock to make the playoffs and, currently, their most likely spot is #4 (30.9%). The only team more likely to end up at #4 is the current holder of that spot, Dallas (43.1%). Dallas and Arizona play each other in a couple of weeks, though, so this could flip if the Cowboys win that game.

There is also an outside chance of the Rams ending up with the #4 spot (4.5%) and the Cardinals ending up at #5 (12.1%).

So... could there be a Rams v. Cardinals Threequel?

Quite possibly.

This man deserves his own thread every single week since he’s been here but last nights game was something special.

It seemed AD did something to impact the game on almost every play. Even the plays where he didn’t register stats, he was either affecting the play, or affecting the Cardinals decisions and Murrays mental health pre-snap.

Now I know this is really nothing new, some games are more dominant than others but AD’s greatness has been remarkably consistent. Admittedly, I sometimes find myself “numb” to the greatness of AD as I am so used to seeing it every game that I have to remind myself “wait that’s not normal what he just did, other players don’t throw offensive guards at quarterback’s”.

What I am trying to say here is don’t forget to appreciate the time we have 99 (especially in his prime) as he won’t be around forever and you are likely witnessing the greatest to ever do it.

I got this off of a Cardinal Forum. We not only beat the team we demoralized their fans. I thought you guys would like a good laugh.

Crimson Warrior:
Rams made their case for being the best team in the NFC West tonight.
We lost the line of scrimmage in a big big way. A scary way. Our line had no hope against the Ram front seven.
The worst thing about this game, is the way they got pressure with four, while we didn't get much pressure with four.

Donald dominated. He took over the game.
Matt Stafford played a superb game. He looks like an MVP.

That's why I'm not real excited about playing them again.

2421mjb21aztd​

U know goff gonna throw for 400 plus 3tds beat cards right
I hope not but i can see it happenin

17264SoonerLou​

This is where Ramsey being out sucks. Cause I could argue Kyler left about 11 points on the field. The Hopkins drop, etc etc
We really should have scored 40 on these guys. And yet we didnt with their backup corners. Just tough.

116MrYeahBut​

I'm glad I don't know any Rams fans

39azcardsfan1616​

Only thing I heard from the crowd tonight were cooper kupp chants.
Every time I really invest in this team they remind me why I shouldn’t care as much.

1723Osbern61​

If you want to beat the Cards.
1) Play at Arizona
2) be depleted at key positions.

17220Yer_da_sells_avon​

We have a good team. But I think kliff has taken us as far as he can. I usually post things like that this and it comes back to bite me
You need to be smarter to win games like tonight.

.

all fucking game hearing this fuckwit screaming through the mic with his shit voice.

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It sure looks like Noteboom is ready for a starting job next season.
Witworth slides over to coaching assistant OL. Maybe try upgrading LG if possible.