The stress is over. Pack is an elite team and they fought toe to toe for most of the game.

Hey, kudos to Jared again. Without him the Rams take a bigger whooping.

Until next year, thank you for entertaining us this year. Until next season, Los Angeles Rams.

I know Kupp, Edwards, and Lewis for Rams but I'm not sure if the Packers are missing any key players.

Here is to a Great Game today with no injuries and clean officiating. If we win I promise not to gloat and if we lose I will be back to congratulate you guys. I hope you all stay safe and healthy as well.

Where to start?

Which Goff is gonna show up? Winning a playoff game on the road with a fractured thumb is the stuff legends are made of. Ask Jack Reynolds about fractures and playoff games. Lol.

Which Ram OL are we gonna see? If it’s the one that abused the Seahawks last week, I love our chances.

Will Akers have another scintillating performance? Be still, my heart.

Can Kupp be effective? If not, can Reynolds/Jefferson pick up the slack? This is a biggie, I think. Goff is gonna need all the support he can get.

Will Ram TE’s be a significant part of this Ram O today? Sure hope so because they make a great security blanket for the injured Goff. Especially if Kupp struggles today.

Speaking of effective, what about AD’s rib cartilage? And how well will his teammates be able to replace him in his likely reduced role? Crucial against Rodgers.

Ramsey vs Adams is PPV worthy, don’t you think? Each will get their share of wins, but who will have the better overall game?

Rodgers best keep an eye on Williams, too. Another big day by DW could really be the difference in this game. Love watching this young man.

#1 O vs #1 D? Are you KIDDING me? Hollywood script-like material.

And the chess match between McVay and LaFleur? Does it get more dramatic for a playoff game?

I’m expecting a knock down, drag out for 60 minutes. Wouldn’t be surprised to see it come down to last drive final minute FG for the win.

Winner of this game will be my favorite to become NFC Champions and provide a helluva SB matchup.

Enough storylines to keep us all busy, huh? Get your popcorn!

AFC Divisional Playoff Prediction and Preview: Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills

Both the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills entered the AFC playoffs as two of the hottest teams in the NFL. The Ravens captured their last five games of the regular season, streaking to a wild-card bid after slumping to a 6-5 start, while the Bills earned their first AFC East title in 25 years by winning their final six. Both are sleeper picks to sneak past this year's heavy favorite, the No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs, and into Super Bowl LV.

Each team squeaked into the AFC Divisional Round battle-tested after close wins that weren't decided until late in the fourth quarter. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had to sweat out his first playoff victory, a 20-13 nail-biter assured only when the defense intercepted Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill on his final drive. Josh Allen found himself in the same boat, left to watch as Philip Rivers' Hail Mary was batted down to preserve the Bills' first postseason win since 1995 over the Indianapolis Colts (27-24).

But close wins also come with an upside: getting the monkey and baggage of past history off your back. Can each team now recapture the late-season momentum that saw them barrel-rolling over opponents? A high-scoring game seems likely between two offenses that averaged more than 37 points per game during their winning streaks to end the regular season. Two teams once defined by their defense now ride on the backs of Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, and a 2020 MVP candidate in Allen.

Who will prevail in the first-ever postseason matchup between these two signal-callers, selected 25 picks apart in the 2018 NFL Draft? Here's a closer look at the keys to victory for each team Saturday night.

AFC Divisional Playoff: Baltimore at Buffalo

Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Spread: Buffalo -2.5

Three Things to Watch

1. Josh Allen vs. Lamar Jackson. Enough said.

They came from the same NFL draft class (2018) that comprises three of the four quarterbacks still left in the AFC playoffs (add Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns). The third time's the charm for both Jackson and Allen, as they've taken a step forward with gritty playoff performances.

For Jackson, it wasn't always pretty. He was sacked five times by the Titans, threw for only 179 yards, and produced a costly interception on the game's second drive. But it felt like the 2019 league MVP settled in as time went on, rushing for 136 yards, including a 48-yard burst for a touchdown in the second quarter as the Ravens were able to overcome an early 10-0 deficit.

"We just battled," Jackson said afterward, erasing an 0-6 career record when the Ravens had fallen behind by 10 or more points. "I knew we had the capability of doing that."

Gritty leadership was on display in Buffalo as well. Allen arguably played better overall, throwing for 324 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for another, and playing turnover-free football. Yet it was his late sack and fumble (self-recovered) that killed a late fourth-quarter drive and gave the Colts a chance to pull an upset.

"Made enough plays to win," Allen said after becoming the youngest QB in NFL history to complete better than 70 percent of his passes and throw for 300-plus yards in a playoff game. "I'm still kicking myself for a couple plays... you gotta forget about it and focus on next week. It doesn't matter what we did — it's back to 0-0."

Jackson and Allen have the ability to score at will, regardless of defense. Who's capable of producing the most big plays? One potential handicap for Jackson is the weather in Buffalo; game-time temperature is forecasted to be less than 27 degrees. The quarterback, who's said he's never played in the snow, is a weaker passer than Allen and could find his mobility limited. You never know when the lake-effect snow squalls are going to come in Buffalo.

2. Can the Buffalo defense step up?

Then again, Jackson will be facing a Bills defense that allowed an eye-popping 472 yards against the Colts. It's the most Buffalo has allowed in any game since Sept. 27, and it included two important goose eggs: no sacks or interceptions against an aging, pocket quarterback in Philip Rivers.

How will that unit rise up against the biggest dual-threat quarterback in the NFL? The Bills have done it before, holding Jackson to just 145 passing yards and 40 rushing in a December 2019 regular-season matchup. But Jackson has more weapons in 2021 and a better running game to throw the defense off-balance. Indeed, the emergence of J.K. Dobbins (43 yards and a touchdown against the Titans) has been a game-changer. Stopping the run is now a multi-pronged effort, although it still starts with the quarterback.

"It's a totally different style offense than any team that we ever face," Bills safety Jordan Poyer explained this week. "They have every single QB run you can think of, so it comes down to guys being disciplined with their eyes and being able to tackle out in space and having 11 guys running to the football."

As always, putting pressure on Jackson can be the difference-maker. Even in that December 2019 matchup, the Bills were only able to get to him once; they still lost that game 24-17. They're going to need to up that number and add to their regular-season 26 takeaways (fourth in the NFL) to put the Ravens behind the eight ball, as the Titans did early.

3. Kicking

Field goals? You're telling me one of the best AFC Divisional Playoff offensive matchups in years is going to come down to the kickers?

Typically, that's a non-starter. But this matchup features future Hall of Famer Justin Tucker of the Ravens, as automatic of a kicker as you have in the NFL, against a strong upstart in rookie Tyler Bass. Bass boomed a 54-yard field goal in the fourth quarter against the Colts, the longest kick by a rookie in NFL playoff history and ultimately the difference-maker in a 27-24 win. He hasn't missed a field goal since November and ended the season third in scoring, cementing his hold on an always-tenuous position long-term.

Tucker was his reliable self in 2020, making 89.7 percent of his kicks. But it was Bass, not Tucker, who made more field goals from 50-plus yards this season. Can both men hang tough under the pressure of playoff football, when an extra point or a field goal makes the difference in a game with a 2.5-point spread? With both teams likely to be in position to score on almost every possession, which one will blink first? Again, you'd think Tucker has the edge, but he missed on a 52-yarder against the Titans last week that would have put the game away.

Final Analysis

This game, on paper, is the most competitive of the four NFL Divisional Round matchups and could tilt either way. Both teams come in hot and have put the demons of playoff disappointments behind them.

In the end, the intangibles of the weather and home-field advantage favor the Bills. They were 7-1 at home this season, tied for the best record in the NFL. Since 1990, No. 2 seeds are also 22-9 in their first playoff game. The Bills extended that streak last week as the first non-bye No. 2 seed in the new playoff format. That experience should serve them well as they tough out another close game late in the fourth quarter.

Prediction: Bills 34, Ravens 31

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.

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

Go Rams!

———

ROD Chat Room;

Game Day Room

Josh Gordon has been suspended, again.
The NFL rescinded the Seahawks wide receiver's conditional reinstatement Friday, leaving him suspended indefinitely.
Just three weeks ago, Gordon was added to Seattle's active roster and set to return to the field when he experienced a setback in his battle with substance abuse that broke the terms of his conditional reinstatement. He sat out the 2020 campaign following a December 2019 suspension. It was the third season he's missed entirely since breaking into the league in 2012.
The 29-year-old Gordon has been suspended six times by the NFL, playing almost the equivalent of four full seasons over the past nine years. He has 247 career receptions and was an All-Pro in 2013 with the Cleveland Browns.

Hoping Jared Goff and the offense are listening. Spears and Kimes are talking very poorly about Goff. Should be bulletin board material. Not that I respect any of these talking heads...

I friend of mine came by my office earlier today. He couldn't wait to tell me what happened when he stopped and gased up his car on the way to my office...

He says - "You'll never believe who I just ran into at the gas station. I was minding my own business just filling up my car. I heard someone behind me talking very loud. They sounded old. So I started listening and realized that this person was trying to talk to the actual gas pump. The person was asking the gas pump what in the hell is the problem and shit like that going on and on. The more I listened to this guy... I realized that I recognized his voice. I couldn't help it, so I looked over to actually get a look at the dude talking to the gas pump."

"I'm pretty sure that I recognize him. So I politely asked him if he was Lee Corso. He said yes right away and then proceeded to tell me that he couldn't get the pump to accept his credit card. So I watched him try again and saw the problem right away. Lee was just putting his card in the slot and pulling it out immediately. There's a fucking sign by the slot that tells you to insert your card and leave it inserted until prompted. So I pointed this out to Lee. That's when he said Oh, I Usually Get Gas At A Different Station."

So Lee was able to finally get his credit card to work in the pump. He had just ran his car through the car wash before pulling up next to the pump. So when the gas was finally flowing, he pulled a spray can of tire shine out of the car and sprayed down each of his wheels.

My friend couldn't resist... he asked Lee if he could snap a selfie with him. Lee said yes but insisted that he stay at least 6 feet away.

Here's Lee with his spray can of tire shine. Good thing my friend helped him out or he might still be out there talking to the gas pump. LOL

If you look at the NFL leaders in target share (% of team's pass targets), you'll see Davante Adams at the top of the list at 28.3%. What makes that particularly noteworthy is the fact that Adams missed two games early in the season. If you adjust for the 14 games he did play, he was the target of 32.3% of Aaron Rodgers' passes.

His other percentages are similar, as he (without adjusting for the games he missed) caught 31% of Rodgers' passes, had 32% of the Packers' receiving yards, and caught 37.5% of Rodgers' TD passes.

So, once again, Ramsey has a big task in front of him. So far this year, in similar match-ups against highly targeted WRs, he's done very well. Here's a look at the average targets, receptions and yards of some top receivers, and their numbers against Ramsey/the Rams (obviously, Ramsey did not cover these players on every play):

Stephon Diggs:
10.4 targets/game - 6 vs. Rams
7.9 receptions - 4 vs. Rams
95.9 yards/game - 49 vs. Rams

DeAndre Hopkins (2 games vs. Rams):
10.0 targets/game - 11.5 vs. Rams
7.2 receptions/game - 6.0 vs. Rams
87.9 yards/game - 43.5 vs. Rams

DK Metcalf (3 games vs. Rams)
8.1 targets/game - 5.2 vs. Rams
7.7 receptions/game - 4.3 vs. Rams
81.4 yards/game - 61.0 vs. Rams

If Ramsey can stick with Adams and similarly help hold him well under his averages, that will force Rodgers to look elsewhere. That might give our pass rushers just enough time to get home a few times, which could be a big factor.

As Jalen said, this is why the Rams traded for him and paid him the big bucks.

Yeah, I figure I better start the thread. My house finally got black beans, so I'm planning on making nachos for myself on Saturday. Cannot wait for game time.

Thought this was an interesting article by Bleacher Report & by CHRIS ROLING....only four other NFL teams had a lower rating than the Rams. Bottom line he thought this 2020 draft was . BonifayRam

Grading Every NFL Team's 2020 Draft Haul | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
Los Angeles Rams

.

this is a great watch. love the sideline chatter.

Login to view embedded media
.

The 49ers defensive coordinator has agreed in principle to a deal to become the new head coach of the New York Jets, the team announced Thursday night.

And let me be the first to bid good bye and so long to this lousy Whiner turd.
Gotta admit though he did seem to have Coach Mac's offense figured out as we struggled mightily against his defenses.

This along with when we pack away the Packers in some cold storage facility this Saturday will make it a dang good week. A RAMS WEEK!!!!!

~ArkyRamsFan~

I became a Rams fan in 1971. At that time Willie Ellison was the star RB. Since then the Rams have arguably the best run of RBs in the history of the NFL:
-Willie Ellison ‘67-‘72
-Lawrence McCutheon ‘72-‘79
-Cullen Bryant/Wendell Tyler ‘73-‘82
-Eric Dickerson ‘82-‘87
-Charles White/Cleveland Gary ‘85-‘93
-Jerome Bettie ‘93-‘95
-Marshall Faulk ‘99-‘06
-Steven Jackson ‘04-‘12
-Gurley ‘15-‘19
-Akers ???

We get a 3rd rounder in each of the next 2 drafts for the Lions hiring our scouting coach as their GM!!






Rams just earned two extra draft picks thanks to a new NFL rule and the Saints could be next
The Rams and Saints are likely going to be getting two bonus NFL draft picks
[IMG alt=" John Breech
"]https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2016/05/25/69dff0b6-be76-47d5-a59d-6c9330b239b7/thumbnail/80x80/6de0c282abc4b5b1b6309d49ca6cf0d6/johnbreech.png[/IMG]

By John Breech

5 hrs ago2 min read




Troy Babbitt / USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams are going to have one extra pick in each of the next two drafts thanks to a new NFL rule that was implemented barely two months ago. Back in November, the NFL's 32 owners approved a resolution that called for teams to be rewarded any time a minority member of their organization was hired away by another team to be either a head coach or a general manager. The idea behind the new rule was to encourage teams to hire more minority coaches and executives and develop them.
Under the new rule, any team that loses a minority coach or executive to a head coach or GM job will be compensated with two third-round picks that will be awarded as one pick in two consecutive years. If a team loses a second employee to a head coach or GM job, then that club will receive three third-round picks that will be spread out over three consecutive years.
The first benefactor of this new rule is the Rams, who just lost their director of college scouting, Brad Holmes, to the Lions. According to multiple reports, Holmes has agreed to a five-year deal to become the general manager in Detroit. Since the Rams lost a minority employee to another team, the NFL is now going to award them two third-round picks with one coming in 2021 and the second one coming in 2022.
The Rams could pick up an extra third-round pick in 2023 if they lose another minority employee and right now, that's currently possible. The Jaguars have been eyeing Rams' consultant Ray Farmer and if Farmer gets hired as the new GM in Jacksonville, then the Rams will get another compensatory pick.

If there was one knock on the new rule, it was that teams might not want to hire a minority candidate from a rival, because the team wouldn't want their rival to pick up two extra draft picks. However, that issue might not end up being a problem and that's because two of the NFL's biggest rivals are about to help each other out.
According to NFL.com, Saints VP/Assistant GM for Pro Personnel Terry Fontenot is currently the favorite to land the Falcons' general manager job. If Atlanta ends up hiring Fontenot, that means the Saints will get two third-round picks out of it.
The extra picks are viewed as compensatory picks and will be awarded after the regular compensatory picks are handed out. In 2020, the NFL handed out 10 third-round compensatory picks, which means the first pick given to a team that lost a coach would have been 107th overall. The order of coaching compensatory picks will also be based on the draft order, so if the Saints and Rams both were to lose this weekend, the Rams would get an earlier pick because they had a worse record in 2020.

The NFL created the rule as a way to encourage minority hirings for key roles on each team while also diversifying the workforce around the league and in the first offseason of the change, it appears the rule is already having a positive impact.

Michael Brockers happy to still be making an impact for the Rams

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – In an alternate timeline, defensive lineman Michael Brockers is helping the Ravens prepare for their divisional playoff game against the Bills.

Of course, that timeline would only exist if Brockers had signed with the Ravens, but that didn't happen as a result of Baltimore nixing the deal after receiving the results of Brockers' outsourced physical last spring.

Instead, Brockers is leading the Rams – the only team he has ever played for since entering the NFL as a first-round draft pick in 2012 – into a divisional playoff game against the Packers. And he wouldn't want it any other way.

"(Re-signing with the Rams) felt like the right decision," Brockers said during a video conference Wednesday. "I think I had somebody hit me up the other day who was like, 'Man, you could've been in Baltimore,' and I was like, 'Man, I'm in LA right now. They're in the same place, man.' For me, I'm living the dream, especially being with this team, being a leader for this team."

One of the Rams' eight team captains this season, the 30-year-old Brockers helped Los Angeles to a 10-6 record and second-place finish in the NFC West, good for the conference's No. 6 seed in the playoff picture. In 15 regular season games, he tallied the second-most total tackles in a single season in his nine-year career (49) and finished with five sacks, 0.5 shy of matching his single-season career-high.

However, for Rams head coach Sean McVay and the rest of the roster, his leadership isn't measured by numbers alone.

"I love him. I'm so thankful that he came back for so many reasons, but he's been a guy that's been doing it at a high level for this organization long before I got here," McVay said during a video conference Wednesday. "The appreciation I have for watching his maturity, his production, everything that he represents since I got here, I couldn't be more thankful and grateful to be able to work with veteran players (like him) that provide leadership. Really, those are the guys that set the culture and they make what is right about the Rams right now."

Los Angeles has an even greater appreciation for Brockers after missing him in Week 17 due to him being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

"He's a playmaker, he's a leader," Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald said that week. "You definitely want him out there, but we just got to hold it down while he's gone."

The Rams defense came through to help secure a wild card berth with a win over the Cardinals and ensure a chance for Brockers to return for a playoff run. Brockers said the last two weeks have "definitely been crazy."

"When they tell you (that) you have COVID, it's nerve-racking because you're not sure what to expect," Brockers said. "I almost felt like I made myself sick, just knowing, 'OK, I woke up that morning feeling good,' (but) after they told me I had it, then I'm always feeling, 'Oh man, am I getting hot?' Any little thing that you felt like, 'Oh man, is that the COVID?' Just talking to the docs definitely uplifted our spirits and let us know we can get through this. Just take it one day at a time, and luckily we all came out healthy, not really a lot of symptoms. So for the most part, we're just blessed to be here."

Brockers was activated the day before the Rams' wild card game against the Seahawks. While he took his preparation seriously and prepared as best as he could mentally, playing a little over 24 hours after being activated was still an adjustment because of the lack of physical reps.

"You definitely need those reps to get better," said Brockers, who played 55 percent of Los Angeles' defensive snaps and finished with one tackle in their wild card win at Seattle. "When I looked at the film from the game, obviously got through the game healthy, but I felt like I could've been a little more active. Just took that to a lot of the rust I was working off, but I'll be a lot better moving forward."

Rusty or not, Brockers' return was still impactful. Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said Brockers' intangible value to the team is something something "that you can never quantify" and "have to see it to know it."

"When 'Brock' got to that game on (Saturday), what it did for our locker room, and then when he got on that field, you just have to see it to know it and to believe it," Staley said during a video conference Tuesday. "It means so much to our team and to me personally when you come into a team as a first time defensive coordinator, who no one's ever heard of, to have a guy like that accept you and to believe in you and then to perform the way he has this year (with it) being a career year for him."

Through all the ups and the downs dating back to last spring, Brockers said "it's a blessing" to be with the Rams.

"This is where I'm supposed to be," Brockers said. "This is the team I'm supposed to win it with. I'm just happy to be here in this spot and ready to go for Saturday."

I was just curious why a lot of posters on here are always wanting to merge every thread? If we are always merging threads then some key info will get missed, it's almost comical how quickly some are demanding threads to be merged. Sorry just curious what the big deal is? Thanks!

For those that aren’t aware
Login to view embedded media

Quarterback Jared Goff will start Saturday for the Los Angeles Rams against the Green Bay Packers.
The news comes as a matter of fact after Rams coach Sean McVay announced Thursday that QB John Wolford has been ruled out for Saturday's contest.
Blake Bortles will be Goff's backup Saturday. McVay added that it's possible undrafted rookie Bryce Perkins will be active as the third QB.
Wolford suffered a stinger in the Rams' Super Wild Card win over the Seattle Seahawks. He hadn't practiced all week. Despite McVay's desire to put a decision off until game-time, Wolford's health made the matter moot.
Goff, who underwent surgery to repair a fractured thumb on his throwing hand, will remain under center. The Rams starter much of the season, Goff missed the season-finale win over Arizona and didn't start last weekend.
When Wolford when down early in the postseason bout, Goff managed the offense and didn't make a big mistake. As one would expect from a QB who'd had three pins inserted into his thumb, the ball came out wonky from Goff's hands several times. He completed 9 of 19 passes for 155 yards and a TD. Still, Goff gutted out the win in a game he could easily have been inactive for last week.
Playing in Green Bay on Saturday, the Rams should lean on Cam Akers and the ground game. If L.A. is in comeback mode early and Goff is forced to throw in the cold, it will be interesting to see how the thumb responds after another week distanced from surgery.

McVay can be a master at managing the game to keep pressure off his quarterback. Playing at Lambeau Field in January against the presumptive MVP, Aaron Rodgers, with a still-banged-up QB could be the young coach's biggest test yet.

I saw this on Cowherd. He sometimes uses it to pick games. He kind of half assed it this time and didn’t finish his list. Anyone interested in giving it an honest stab?

I could have done 12. I had a tough time deciding on the last four

1. Aaron Donald
2.Aaron Rodgers
3.Jalen Ramsey
4.Leonard Floyd
5.Davante Adams
6.Andrew Whitworth
7.Jaire Alexander
8. Cooper Kupp
9. Aaron Jones
10. Zadarius Smith


Top ten I get 5/5 but the Rams have higher rated players.

congrats to @MarkMyWords for winning last weeks contest.


On to this weeks match-up. Aaron vs. Aaron , Ramsey vs. Davante, McVay vs. Lafleur, Goff vs. Wolford ( just had to throw that one in.

Who wins the right to play in the NFC Championship game?

Prizes bumped up to 50k for closest, 100k for exact. Duplicate scores go to first poster.

and GO!!!

.

here's a young guy giving it a go. to tell you the truth the video is worth watching just for the highlights of the season. plus it's nice to finally hear someone, anybody say good things about the rams. it sure beats all the other bozos in the media.

Login to view embedded media
.

.

Login to view embedded media
.