I've long harped on the Rams need for a better, stronger center. I also am vocal about the need for a faster, more complete ilb. But after watching certain defenses stifle the Rams offense buy stuffing the run and stifling the short passing game, I believe that the biggest current need is a fast deep threat that can catch and get open. Reynolds is not getting it done and its stifles the offense in certain games.

I’m still pissed off at the fact that we lost that game but I’m going to put that aside for now and put myself in the shoes of a Jets fan.

Gase and the Jets had no business winning that game. It took them out of the running for Trevor Lawrence should the Jags lose the rest of their games. You’re missing out on a generational talent all because you won a meaningless game.

This guy won’t be around next season along with almost all of the current staff. It blows my mind that the Jets ownership allowed him to stay without explicitly instructing him to complete the tank job and secure the #1 pick. I would think that holding the #1 pick would be a huge incentive for an incoming coach and they lost that. So do they fire Gase now or is it too late at this point since the damage has been done?

I don't see anyone saying they have clinched... but i dont see how they didnt.

The worse they do is 9 and 7... the only team below them that could get to 9 and 7 is the bears...

if first tie breaker is head to head then they wint that?

someone help me out here.

Wouldn’t that be just like the Rams?

Lay a brachiosaurus egg against the paper airplanes, then come back and beat a ten-win rival the following week.

It’s going to happen.

We match up well against the Seahawks, and we’ll be fired up like you won’t believe. And with COVID, there’s no 12th man advantage in Seattle.

We’re going to win, clinch that playoff game, and put ourselves in the driver’s seat to take the West.

Bank on it.

I jinxed the Rams saying that we could give the Jets fourteen points before the game and we'd still win. Football gods obviously took note. I'm so sorry, guys...

I’m sure this will go to the Loss Vent Thread...or deleted

How can a “Team“ touted as the best in the NFC lose to an 0-13 team at home with supposedly the best defense? Brandon Staley sure seems up to the task to let this happen.

HC candidate my ass. Speaking about Head Coach, HTF is Gase out coaching McVay? People blame Goff, McVay is responsible for having the game plan and team ready game day.

Live in Deltona just got an alert from my Yahoo that said the Game is local.

I did not see it on any map.

I've gotten so jaded by the hit and run style of boxing,didn't watch.

Heard it was good,so how was it ??

Joe Theisman returning punts - Third string QB earning his keep. LOL
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this was posted before the cheats game. don't think i saw it in here. just some guy babbling about the rams and eating crow at the same time.

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Sunday Night Football: Cleveland Browns vs. New York Giants

The Cleveland Browns will try and pick up the pieces after a tough Monday night loss at home to the Ravens as they travel to New York to play the Giants on "Sunday Night Football." New York has won six of the last seven meetings between the two teams, including a 27-13 decision in the most recent encounter during the 2016 season. In that game, Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes while Josh McCown threw for 322 yards in a losing effort at home for the Browns.

Cleveland (9-4) lost in the game of the year last week, falling at home to Baltimore 47-42. Baker Mayfield had one of his best games of the season with 343 passing yards and two touchdowns while also running for another. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt did the heavy lifting on the ground with 115 combined rushing yards and three scores. The problem was the Browns couldn't make any key stops on defense and have up too many big plays. This defense has now surrendered 107 points the last three weeks to the Jaguars, Titans and Ravens.

The Giants (5-8) saw their four-game win streak end last week, falling 26-7 at home to Arizona. Daniel Jones returned from a hamstring injury but didn't look healthy, finishing with 127 passing yards. The offense couldn't muster much and the defense saw their streak of four straight games allowing 20 points or fewer come to an end. With Jones still not 100 percent, head coach Joe Judge will turn back to Colt McCoy, who was under center two weeks ago when New York shocked Seattle.

Sunday Night Football: Cleveland at New York

Kickoff: Sunday, Dec. 20 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Spread: Browns -6.5

Three Things to Watch

1. Intangibles

How flat will the Browns be after last week? They are now two games behind the Steelers in the AFC North with just three left to go. A win by Pittsburgh on Monday night over Cincinnati or a loss by Cleveland to New York gives the Steelers the division title. Previous versions of the Browns would lose this game on Sunday and show a very unfocused effort. In some ways, they've grown up, but we'll see what happens under the spotlight. Cleveland has a road game against the Jets next week so they'll return to MetLife Stadium after Christmas. The Giants are home for the second straight week and have a road trip to Baltimore next week on the docket. New York is one game behind Washington in the NFC East standings but owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. I expect a much better effort from the home team than what the Giants showed last week against Arizona.

2. Are you for real?

Those who follow me on Twitter know that I'm not a fan of the Browns. Yes, they are 9-4 on the season, but what is their best win? They've beaten the Bengals twice, everyone in the weak NFC East, as well as the Texans and Jaguars. The win over Indianapolis in Week 5 was impressive, same for the victory in Tennessee two weeks ago, but even so, Cleveland has lost to the Ravens twice as well as the Steelers and the Raiders. The run game is really good and Baker Mayfield shows flashes of brilliance, but I'm concerned about their consistency in a playoff setting with a porous defense.

3. Are you for real II?

Before last week, the Giants had won four straight games. They sit 5-8 now and would be multiple games out of first in any other division besides the NFC East. The defense has been a very pleasant surprise and has even more room to grow with some changes in the offseason. The questions come on offense with Colt McCoy replacing a clearly less than 100 percent Daniel Jones at quarterback and poor skill position players. Wayne Gallman was able to run on the bad defenses of Cincinnati and Seattle, but he also struggled against the likes of Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. During their 0-5 start to the season, there were closes losses by 10 points to the Steelers and by eight in Los Angeles against the Rams. This game will show me if they are "NFC East playoff-caliber" or just a bad team in a bad division.

Final Analysis

If the Browns score on their first or second drive, this could be a long night for the Giants, who probably can't keep up from an offensive standpoint. If Cleveland struggles to put last week's heartbreaking loss past them, then this one will be close throughout. In that case, I give the edge to New York, who has Graham Gano at kicker while Cleveland trots out Cody "Double Doink" Parkey, who has already missed three field goals and two extra points this season.

Prediction: Giants 23, Browns 21

Sunday, December 20


LATE GAMES

New York Jets at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. on Fox

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. on Fox

Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. on CBS


SNF

Cleveland Browns at New York Giants, 8:20 p.m. on NBC


EARLY GAMES

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons , 1:00 p.m. on Fox

San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m. on Fox

Seattle Seahawks at The Washington Football Team, 1:00 p.m. on Fox

Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. on CBS


Monday, December 21

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m. on ESPN



ALREADY PLAYED


Thursday, December 17

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders


Saturday, December 19

Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos

Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers

Sunday, December 20

EARLY GAMES

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons , 1:00 p.m. on Fox

San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 p.m. on Fox

Seattle Seahawks at The Washington Football Team, 1:00 p.m. on Fox

Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. on CBS


LATE GAMES

New York Jets at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. on Fox

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. on Fox

Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. on CBS


SNF

Cleveland Browns at New York Giants, 8:20 p.m. on NBC



Monday, December 21

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m. on ESPN



ALREADY PLAYED


Thursday, December 17

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders


Saturday, December 19

Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos

Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers

Game Day Thread

The GDT is a live thread tradition here at ROD.

While we all get fired up watching the game, please remember our core principles;we always show respect for our team and each other.

Despite the emotional highs and lows watching a game, we will moderate this thread with that in mind, however please refrain from name calling. This applies to players, the Rams organization, and others.

This is the core rule of the GDT. Moderators are tasked to issue thread bans, at a minimum, to maintain this standard.

This is our team. Win or lose. Good days and bad. We are here for FUN, not to be dragged down.

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

Go Rams!

———

ROD Chat Room;

Game Day Room

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Have any of you seen this. Deplorable.

Thought I would kick this off a day early because there are Saturday games this week!

I'll be eating a delicious Steak Pie from our local butcher with hopefully several glasses of red wine. I'm visiting my old man this weekend, havent seen him much over the past few months for obvious reasons, so it's a great weekend in the ScotsRam house.

Have at it!

SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers

We're three months away from March Madness but the Green Bay Packers playing the Carolina Panthers Saturday night is the closest you'll get to a No. 1 seed playing a 16 in the NFL. The Packers enter Week 15 with the NFC's best record (10-3) by virtue of a tiebreaker, while the Panthers (4-9) are at the bottom because they are on the wrong end of one.

Strangely enough, in this weird 2020 the Panthers are still mathematically alive for the playoffs if they win out. Either way, they're building for the future behind a talented group of young offensive players who have carried the load in the absence of Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers are known for playing hard and keeping it close; five of their nine losses this season have been by five points or less. They also have a point differential (-25) better than four other NFC teams currently ahead of them in the standings.

The Packers, meanwhile, caught a break when the New Orleans Saints were upset by the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend. Now, Green Bay controls its own destiny for the top seed and an all-important bye as the NFL playoffs expand to seven teams per conference. Two of the team's final three games are on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, where the Packers are 5-1 this season and 17-4-1 over the past three. Earning home-field advantage with that track record and the freezing cold weather come January could make the difference in getting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and company over the hump and back into the Super Bowl for the first time since 2010.

That final push must begin by winning the games they're supposed to win. So can the Packers avoid the upset and keep the pesky Panthers at bay on Saturday night?

Carolina at Green Bay

Kickoff: Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Spread: Packers -8.5

Three Things to Watch

1. Can Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and company outduel the Panthers' passing defense?

Despite missing two games this season with a hamstring injury, Adams has established himself as one of the NFL's elite receivers. With a dozen receiving touchdowns in the last eight games, he's now tied with Tyreek Hill for the NFL lead (14 total). Adams sits just 11 yards off the NFC lead with 1,144 receiving yards; his 91 receptions also rank second behind DeAndre Hopkins.

But Hopkins struggled during his matchup against the Panthers, gaining just 41 yards on seven catches without a touchdown. The reason? Cornerback Rasul Douglas, likely to be assigned to Adams on Saturday night and a prized find for the Panthers this offseason. Douglas and the Panthers' secondary need to clamp down on the engine that powers the Packers' offense. Adams is the fulcrum through which their big-play ability swings this year, more than Rodgers, running back Aaron Jones or breakout tight end Robert Tonyan.

For the Panthers passing defense, it could be a case of bad timing. They rank just 23rd in the NFL and took a big step back last week, allowing young Broncos QB Drew Lock to go 21-for-27 with four touchdowns and no interceptions. If they play at the same level against the Rodgers/Adams combo, they'll get steamrolled. It's as simple as that.

2. Who will win the battle on the ground?

The Panthers have struggled with the absence of Christian McCaffrey in the backfield. He's doubtful to play once again Sunday, nursing a thigh injury and left out of practice for much of the week. That means primary rushing duties fall to Mike Davis, who hasn't rushed for 100 yards a single time this season in McCaffrey's absence.

Even with that handicap, the Panthers are averaging a respectable 116 yards per game on the ground the last three weeks. Here's the problem; during that same stretch, the Packers are racking up 150.3 rushing yards per game of their own. Jones is averaging 5.1 yards per carry, good for third in the NFC, and killed off a potential Eagles upset two weeks ago with a season-best 77-yard run in the closing minutes. He'll be hard to stop pairing with Jamaal Williams in the backfield.

3. Can the Panthers keep it clean?

Here's a fact that might surprise you; the Panthers actually have a better turnover margin this season (+5) than the Packers (+4). Their 13 giveaways are the fifth-fewest in the NFL and they've had just one in the past two weeks (despite losing both games).

The Packers, meanwhile, have just nine giveaways, tied for the fewest in the NFL, but their defense struggles at forcing turnovers. That needs to change against a Panthers offensive line that's hobbling into the game with injuries; left tackle Russell Okung is questionable to play with an ankle issue and backup Greg Little was just placed on injured reserve.

The cracks in the Panthers' line started to show last week when Teddy Bridgewater was sacked four times against the Broncos, the most they've allowed since Oct. 18. In the meantime, the Packers' defensive line has heated up, piling up 11 sacks in wins against the Lions and Eagles. Can that front put pressure on Bridgewater and put the ball on the ground? One turnover might be all it takes to snuff the life out of any Panthers push for an upset on the road.

Final Analysis

The Panthers continue to find a way to keep themselves in games. The culture under first-year head coach Matt Rhule looks promising as the team undergoes a long-term rebuilding project.

But there's a reason why UMBC-Virginia in college basketball comes around once every few decades or so. The Panthers just simply don't have the talent yet to keep up with Rodgers, Adams and a Green Bay team built to go deep into January.

Prediction: Packers 38, Panthers 24

SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOOTBALL: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos

The Buffalo Bills hit the road as they take on the Broncos in Denver on Saturday afternoon. Buffalo has to be happy that the Patriots' 11-year reign atop the AFC East has already officially ended, but a win would clinch the Bills' first division title since 1995.

These two teams met last year in Buffalo with the home team winning 20-3. Josh Allen threw touchdown passes to Cole Beasley and John Brown with Devin Singletary chipping 106 rushing yards in the win. The Broncos had Brandon Allen at quarterback and he produced only 82 passing yards.

Buffalo (10-3) is rolling since its bye week with three straight victories. Last week, the Bills beat Pittsburgh 26-15 at home on "Sunday Night Football." Stefon Diggs continued to prove to be one of the best offseason acquisitions, racking up 130 receiving yards and giving the Steelers' secondary fits, particularly in the third quarter. Diggs has been the No. 1 wide receiver this team has been missing. Meanwhile, the defense made the stops it had to and harassed Ben Roethlisberger all game long, forcing him to throw two costly interceptions, one of which was returned for a momentum-swinging touchdown.

The Broncos also are feeling good after last week's 32-27 road win over Carolina. Drew Lock tossed four touchdown passes and finished with just six incompletions (21-of-27 for 280 yards). Two of those TDs went to KJ Hamler, his only two catches of the game (that totaled 86 yards). The much-maligned defense did what it had to do, sacking Teddy Bridgewater four times and coming up with a few key stops (Panthers were just 6-for-14 on third down), despite giving up 370 total yards. Overall, Denver has lost four of its last six games but two of those were by no more than seven points.

Buffalo at Denver

Kickoff: Saturday, Dec. 19 at 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Spread: Bills -6

Three Things to Watch

1. Intangibles

This just feels like a flat spot for the Bills who are coming off a huge win this past Sunday night at home against Pittsburgh. The week before that they had the Monday night spotlight against the 49ers, a game they won 34-24. It's also a flat spot because the Patriots are up next on Monday night and you know this team would love to put the final dagger in their division rivals. Two of Buffalo's last three contests are on the road. It's not a terrible spot for the Broncos, who haven't been officially eliminated from the playoffs yet but face tough odds to get there. They just finished a stretch of four of six games away from home and now get the Bills, Chargers and Raiders in their last three games. To its credit, Denver doesn't seem like a team ready to pack up for the offseason, but between injuries and COVID-19 protocols, the Broncos are likely to be short-handed on Saturday.

2. Un-Locking Drew

It's been an interesting season for the second-year quarterback from Missouri. He enters this game with a 57.3 completion rate for 2,198 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He has missed three games due to injury, but he's coming off his best performance of the season with four touchdown passes and just six incompletions against Carolina. That game also snapped a streak of seven straight with at least one pick. In two games this month (at Chiefs, at Panthers), he's completing 65.5 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and just two interceptions. Lock has an intriguing group of WRs with the aforementioned Hamler joining fellow rookie Jerry Jeudy and the underrated Tim Patrick. This trio has its share of growing pains but the potential is clearly evident. It'll be interesting to see how Buffalo schemes against these wideouts, particularly how lockdown cornerback Tre'Davious White will be deployed. For the season, the Bills rank in the middle of the pack when it comes to passing defense (243.9 ypg, 19th). They do have 12 interceptions (vs. 21 TD passes allowed) so Lock will need to be careful when he throws the ball. More of the load may be put on Lock with running backs Melvin Gordon (shoulder) and Phillip Lindsay (hip) both listed as questionable on the injury report.

3. Establish the run

Josh Allen has had an amazing season for the Bills, but it feels like he does better when there is a threat of a run game. Devin Singletary and Zack Moss have accounted for a little more than 900 rushing yards, but the duo averages a collective 4.2 yards per carry. Allen is second on the team in rushing with 350 yards and his six touchdowns on the ground are more than half of the team's total (10). Denver is 27th against the run, allowing 131 rushing yards per game so the opportunities will be there Saturday to get the running backs going.

Final Analysis

This feels like a flat spot for the Bills. In some ways, this game will tell me more about them than almost any other. Drew Lock is very capable of taking advantage of an unfocused Buffalo bunch. It'll be "warm" with temps around 42 degrees at kickoff not that it would be a factor with Buffalo in the first place. I'm going with the outright upset here as Denver beats the Bills, denying them a chance at securing the AFC East title.

Prediction: Broncos 24, Bills 20

Needed to start a post on Kevin O’Connell.

I really have QUESTIONS about The Rams offense with him at OC

I was taking a look what chances we need to land the #1 or #2 seed and it doesn’t matter what it looks like. If we tie GreenBay or New Orleans record wise we still lose out to them assuming it’s because of vs. NFC teams record.

They’d have to both lose 2 out of the next 3 games which is highly unlikely by my estimation for us to get the #1 seed.

So hopefully out of the 2 I’m pulling for the Saints to get the #1 seed. Why? Because it’s the prospect of playing in GreenBay in late January or a dome in New Orleans with no fans. I choose the dome!

And don’t give me that one game at a time bullshit, we aren’t players or coaches and I know probably 95% of you have taken a look at this already, sooooo what are you thinking?

ps I see us winning out the regular season and our wildcard and division round game, which is how I got to this estimate of either GB or NO.

What say you Ramily?

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great watch, just for the different camera angles they show of some plays.

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I've watched all the games Noteboom had started but never focused on his play. I know some of you closely track all is these things. How is he doing?

PRE-GAME THREAD

• Tweets about the game, leading up to the game, players, writers, etc.
• Stats, tidbits
• Game specific insights, Rams and opposing team.
• Weather conditions
• Pregame stuff, quips, articles, previews, prediction stuff (some times there seems more than normal of this type of stuff)
• “Things on the web” that don’t feel they stand alone, but maybe fit here
• Excited about something with the game, maybe you want to shout it here
• Trash talking, general smack
• Unsure where to put something game related, maybe try here
• Going to the game? Tell us! (at least in the future)

ROD Sportsbook

To Be Posted