Where Does Lamar Jackson's 2019 Season Rank on Best QB Years Ever?

NFL fans only need to glance at the Baltimore Ravens this year to know quarterback Lamar Jackson is in the middle of a special season.

But where would his campaign rank among the greats?

It almost sounds hyperbolic to ask so soon, yet Jackson is the next in a generation of passers changing the NFL as we know it. Patrick Mahomes did it a season ago, and now Jackson has taken up the mantle and reached new heights.

Below, we'll take a look at some of the best post-merger seasons by quarterbacks based on their statistics and lasting impact, slotting in Jackson where appropriate to provide historical context as to just how special this season has become.

Adam Lefkoe and Brian Westbrook are joined by their producer David Ingber to discuss everything from where Drew Brees ranks in the all-time QB discussion to the last thing that made them cry. And if you've never heard Brian Westbrook do his impression of Kermit the Frog (and you definitely haven't, because this was CLEARLY his first attempt at it), then you're really going to want to stick around to hear that gem. Latest episode of The Lefkoe Show is available here.

10. Brett Favre, 1996

Brett Favre was known for his grit slightly more than being a statistical powerhouse.

But that 1996 season was something special.

The Hall of Famer threw for 3,899 yards and completed 59.9 percent of his passes, which didn't register as career highs. But those 39 touchdowns did, which was impressive because he only threw 13 interceptions while taking a career-high 40 sacks. His touchdown percentage settled at 7.2 percent, the highest mark of his illustrious career.

It doesn't hurt to add that Favre's Green Bay Packers went 13-3 that year before winning it all. While his numbers were impressive for that era, they only look better when adjusted for now and make that campaign one of the most memorable seasons from a passer since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

9. Drew Brees, 2011

It shouldn't surprise anyone to see Drew Brees on a list chronicling some incredible statistical feats by passers.

A purveyor of gaudy stats, Brees threw for a career-high 5,476 yards in 2011. After setting the completion percentage record two years prior, he bested his own record by completing 71.2 percent of his throws—a number he wouldn't surpass again until 2017.

Brees has had some massive seasons since, but this felt like a trendsetting performance. Keep in mind he also threw a career-high 46 touchdown passes against just 14 interceptions for a touchdown percentage of 7.0. He gained 8.3 yards per passing attempt, then a career high.

While his enduring stay at the top of the record books is praiseworthy, 2011 felt like the Big Bang of modern quarterbacking.

8. Peyton Manning, 2013

Peyton Manning shouldn't register as much of a shocker either.

He appears twice on this list, but first up is his march to the Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in 2013, a season that seems to go underrated in his historic career.

That year, Manning threw a record single-season high 55 touchdowns...with just 10 interceptions. There have only been 13 seasons in which a quarterback has passed for 40 or more touchdowns, and two of those belong to Manning.

The future Hall of Famer also completed 68.3 percent of his passes and averaged 8.3 yards per attempt with an 8.3 touchdown percentage. Don't forget his career-high 5,477 yards (most ever in a single season).

Manning also broke Dan Marino's 1984 passing record of most four-touchdown games in a season, tied Marino's record of 15 two-score games, tied Marino's record with four 400-yard games and had 15 games with a 90-plus passer rating, tying his previous mark set in 2004.

7. Kurt Warner, 1999

Kurt Warner's MVP and Super Bowl-winning season 1999 stands tall against the rest of his Hall of Fame career.

In 1999, Warner led the then-St. Louis Rams to 30 or more points 12 times, completing 65.1 percent of his passes with 41 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. His 4,353 yards weren't a career high. But his turnover ratio was its lowest over his legendary three-season stretch, and his touchdown percentage of 8.2 was a career high, and he averaged 8.7 yards per attempt.

Context plays a big role here. The Rams left Warner unprotected in the 1999 expansion draft. He was a forgotten backup before a preseason injury to Trent Green thrust him into the starting role. He's the only QB to throw at least three touchdowns in each of his three starts.

6. Lamar Jackson, 2019

The NFL hasn't seen anyone like Lamar Jackson.

The second-year player sailed past Michael Vick's single-season record for a quarterback in just 14 games with 1,103 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He leads the league with 6.9 yards per attempt and has ripped off 20-plus-yard gains 11 times (tied for first leaguewide).

The silly whispers about his struggles as a passer fell flat. Jackson has completed 66.2 percent of his throws for 33 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He is averaging 7.8 yards per attempt with an almost-silly touchdown percentage of 8.9 (the highest mark for a QB since Aaron Rodgers in 2011).

That has all come for a 12-2 team. NFL defenses will undoubtedly adapt—they always do, and Jackson will eventually regress—but the magic of this season should never go understated.

5. Patrick Mahomes, 2018

Even a quarterback guru like Andy Reid has to admit he couldn't predict the stunning success of Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes won the MVP award in his first season as starter for the Kansas City Chiefs, drumming up a 50-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He did so while completing 66 percent of his 580 passing attempts for 5,097 yards (eighth all-time) with a touchdown percentage of 8.6.

Mahomes is one of seven players to have 5,000 passing yards in a single season and, alongside Manning, is one of two to hit 5,000 and 50 in a single season. He had more passing yards and touchdowns over his first 10 games than any player since 1950.

Impressively, Mahomes' production hasn't taken much of a hit in 2019 (3,606 yards, 23 touchdowns, four interceptions over 12 games), though an injury skewed things. It offers a belief that his MVP season is only the beginning, not an anomaly.

And unlike Jackson, who the NFL might eventually counter, there doesn't see to be any way to slow down some of the scheme-shattering plays Mahomes seems singularly capable of, such as his no-look passes.

4. Dan Marino, 1984

Dan Marino's Miami Dolphins lost the Super Bowl in the quarterback's lone appearance in the big game, but it was still a season for the ages.

In only his second campaign as a starter, Marino set records that lasted at least 20 years apiece. He threw for 5,084 yards (most in a season until 2011) and 48 touchdowns (most in a season until 2004), staggering feats given the less important nature of the position during that era.

But why stop there? Marino completed 64.2 percent of his passes, had an 8.5 touchdown percentage, averaged a staggering 9.0 yards per attempt, averaged over 300 yards per game for the only time during his career and had a career-high 108.9 passer rating.

This season was the apex for Marino, but the rarity of it shouldn't undersell the rest of his career or his status as one of the best ever.

3. Aaron Rodgers, 2011

Aaron Rodgers hoisted a Lombardi Trophy and had one of the most prolific postseason runs in history in 2010; apparently, that was only the appetizer.

The main course was the 2011 season in which Rodgers completed 68.3 percent of his passes with 45 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He had a touchdown percentage of 9.0 alongside 4,643 yards on 502 passing attempts.

That last point is rather silly—he nearly averaged a first down per attempt. His 122.5 passer rating is the still the single-season record, by the way. Also by the way, he sat out the season finale, which likely would've put him over 5,000 yards (backup Matt Flynn torched Detroit for 480 yards and six scores).

2. Tom Brady, 2007

Tom Brady's 2007 season had the look of an unmatchable feat.

He threw for 50 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, which at the time was unheard of on more than 550 attempts. He threw for 4,806 yards with an 8.7 touchdown percentage, averaging 8.3 yards per attempt.

While Brady has gone on to surpass some of these numbers, it's impossible to ignore the context of the 16-0 season. And he's never surpassed the 40-touchdown mark again, nor has he reached the same heights in adjusted yards per attempt (9.4), rating (117.2), touchdown percentage (8.7) or completion percentage (68.9).

Incredible feats and touchdowns-to-interception ratios (36-4, 36-7, 28-2, etc.) have helped define the career of the six-time Super Bowl champion, but the sheer efficiency, volume and the undefeated season help this campaign stand out.

1. Peyton Manning, 2004

Gaudy numbers might be a staple of passing attacks these days as the game evolves, but Peyton Manning's 2004 season remains unmatched for a few reasons.

Put simply, Manning threw a then-record of 49 scores with only 10 interceptions on 497 attempts. He put up a staggering 9.9 touchdown percentage. That's sixth all-time, and he's the only quarterback in the top 10 post-merger. He threw for 9.2 yards per attempt (10.2 adjusted) and 13.6 yards per completion.

His rating of 121.1 was a record at the time (surpassed by Rodgers in 2011), and it dwarfed the next-best mark by more than eight points. Keep in mind, he was flanked by a bottom-five defense that coughed up 370.6 yards per game.

Understandably, Manning did not go on to match many of these numbers, a story that holds true for most in NFL history, even as the league continues to shift toward more pass-happy ways and rising stars like Mahomes and Jackson.

Game Preview: Rams close out road schedule at 49ers

The Rams (8-6) travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers (11-3) at Levi's Stadium on Saturday to wrap up their 2019 regular season road schedule.

To get you ready for the contest, theRams.com compiled a quick preview featuring who to watch, what to watch for on offense and defense for both the Rams and the 49ers and three keys to victory for L.A

Five players to watch

• Rams cornerback Darious Williams: With Troy Hill out, Williams is the next man up against a formidable 49ers receiving corps.
• Rams safety Taylor Rapp: His skillset will be important trying to contain 49ers tight end George Kittle as well as their run game.
• 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders: He's been more productive statistically since joining San Francisco compared to his first half of the season with Denver.
• 49ers tight end George Kittle: He's been targeted a team-high 92 times and is the favorite target of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
• Rams running back Todd Gurley II: He missed the last game against the 49ers due to injury, so it will be interesting to see how, if at all, it changes the approach taken by the 49ers' defense.

What to watch for…

On offense for the Rams

The offensive line, mainly right tackle Rob Havenstein.

Havenstein carries no injury designation into this game, but it's unclear what his role will look like and how much, if at all, Los Angeles will alter the starting combination of left tackle Andrew Whitworth, left guard Austin Corbett, center Austin Blythe, right guard David Edwards and right tackle Bobby Evans which has been used over the last five games.

On offense for the 49ers

The approach at running back.

Through 14 games, San Francisco has three 500 yard rushers in a single season for only the third time in franchise history. Raheem Mostert has led the team in rushing attempts in each of the last three weeks, but Tevin Coleman led the way against the Packers in Week 12. Before getting hurt, Matt Breida handled lead duties.

On defense for the Rams

Two things: How they respond from last week's performance against the run and how they try to limit the contributions of Sanders and Kittle.

With the exception of the Ravens and Cowboys games, the Rams' run defense has performed like a top 10 unit in the NFL. And as the Cardinals and Seahawks games in between those ones showed, they're capable of responding against some of the league's best rushing offenses.

Sanders and Kittle, meanwhile, give Garopollo two different options for stretching the field. It's a tough assignment to cover each player one-on-one, but double-teaming one could allow the other to beat the defense deep with little resistance if unaccounted for.

On defense for the 49ers

The secondary and the defensive line.

Cornerback Richard Sherman is good to go Saturday after missing the last week's game against the Falcons with a hamstring injury. The return of starting nickel corner K'Waun Williams will also help re-stabilize things.

Meanwhile, the defensive line will be without starting defensive end Dee Ford for the fifth consecutive game. His absence will likely put more pressure on the rest of that group, whose depth is already strained with backup defensive tackle Jullian Taylor out with an elbow injury.

Three keys to victory

1. Use Gurley: If there's one vulnerability in an otherwise stout 49ers defense, it's how they defend the run. San Francisco's 114.6 rushing yards allowed per game is 12th-most in the league.
2. Don't allow big plays in the passing game: Much of the focus in this piece was on Sanders and Kittle, but the 49ers have a number of talented receivers capable of connecting with Garoppolo for explosive plays.
3. Convert scoring chances: As the Saints game showed, the 49ers offense is capable of putting up lots of points. However, given the effectiveness of their run game, they could also just as easily capitalize on empty possessions by controlling the clock.

I have no problem admitting my Geekdom. I was in the theatre in 1977 to watch the first one and will be there tonight as well. Who else is going?

Suffocating to serviceable? 49ers’ defense trending in wrong direction

There’s no longer talk about the 49ers’ defense reaching the level of historically great units such as the 1985 Bears, 2000 Ravens or 2013 Seahawks.

Why? Because for nearly two months, it hasn’t looked like the imposing unit it was early in the season.

Thanks to a stiffer schedule and a host of injuries, the 49ers’ second-ranked defense, downright scary in its first seven games, has been closer to serviceable in the past seven games.

Consider:

• The 49ers allowed the second-fewest points per game (11) in the NFL from Weeks 1-8 (their bye was in Week 4). Since then, they’ve allowed the 24th most (25.9).

• After setting a franchise record by posting at least three sacks in eight straight games, they’ve managed just three combined in their past three games.

• After setting the tone in their season opener with three interceptions, two of which they returned for touchdowns, they’ve had one interception in their past seven games.

• Finally, in their past three games — a win against the Saints and losses against the Ravens and Falcons — the defense has allowed a go-ahead score in the final minute.

In October, after the 49ers limited quarterback Jared Goff to 48 net passing yards and didn’t allow a point in the final 54 minutes of a 20-7 road win over the defending NFC champion Rams, it didn’t seem as if the lofty standard cornerback Richard Sherman’s spelled out was unattainable.

“We aspire every year to be compared to one of the great defenses of all time: the ’85 Bears, the 2000 Ravens, and the (1970s Steelers) ‘Steel Curtain,’” Sherman said.

Two months later, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh suggested Wednesday the 49ers couldn’t maintain that level of early-season domination, particularly given the injuries they’ve suffered.

“From a statistical standpoint, it was almost historic over those first eight games,” Saleh said. “I almost feel like we kind of spoiled people. We’ve still been playing good. … It’s something that we’ve got to just continue to keep grinding and getting better with the different guys that are coming in and out of the lineup.”

In their past seven games, the 49ers have had five season-opening starters miss a total of 13 games because of injuries. Another starter, Pro Bowl pass rusher Dee Ford, has played just 24 snaps over the past five games because of a hamstring strain.

“Football is a game of tiny, tiny, tiny things,” rookie defensive end Nick Bosa said. “And when you lose a lot of guys with a lot of experience, and you don’t have them on the field, then those little things show up. It’s going to take the guys that are out there to fix those little things. But I think we’ll be just fine.”

The 49ers’ strongest position group, the defensive line, has absorbed season-ending injuries that have wiped out much of that pass-rushing depth. Edge rusher Ronald Blair and his replacement, Damontre Moore, are both on season-ending injured reserve.

Defensive drop-off

The 49ers’ defense — which was rock solid in the first seven games of the season — has stumbled a bit since then. A look at several key categories in the 49ers’ first seven games and the seven games since then:

Points allowed

Yards allowed

Sacks

Takeaways

Interceptions

Instead of bringing defensive linemen in waves and keeping them fresh, the 49ers have had to send the same players at opposing quarterbacks: Bosa, Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner have missed an average of only 7.1 snaps over the past three games.


“We’ve got to find ways to get more of a rotation going,” Saleh said.

The 49ers also have been going against vastly superior quarterbacks.

In their first seven games, the 49ers didn’t face a QB who is currently ranked among the NFL’s top 17 in passer rating. In fact, four of the QBs they played — Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton, Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield, Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph and Carolina’s Kyle Allen — have the league’s four lowest quarterback ratings among qualified passers.

In their past seven games, the 49ers have faced five QBs ranked among the league’s top 13 in passer rating. And the other two games have been against Arizona’s promising rookie Kyler Murray, the No. 1 pick who threw four touchdown passes with no interceptions and rushed for 101 yards and a score against the 49ers.

The 49ers have lost to Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Seattle’s Russell Wilson and Atlanta’s Matt Ryan. New Orleans’ Drew Brees had five touchdown passes against them in a 48-46 loss.

And, of course, the 49ers are likely to keep facing elite QBs in the playoffs.

Are they up for the challenge? One game over the past two months showed they can summon their early-season domination against a future Hall of Famer: In November, in a 37-8 win over Green Bay, they limited Aaron Rodgers to 66 net passing yards and sacked him five times.

It wasn’t the 1985 Bears, but the 49ers would be happy to take that early 2019 version of their defense to the postseason.

Rams Pro Football Focus tidbits heading into Week 16

Pro Football Focus (PFF) has a team of more than 300 staffers evaluating every NFL play from the Hall of Fame game to the Super Bowl. After each game, players, as well as each team's offensive, defensive and special teams units, are graded on a scale of 0 to 100; the closer a player or unit is to 100, the better. A full explanation of their evaluation process can be found here for additional context.

Here's a look at some of the noteworthy Rams-centric assessments leading into Week 16.

WILLIAMS FILLS IN CAPABLY FOR HILL

If cornerback Troy Hill (thumb) can't play on Saturday against the 49ers, defensive back Darious Williams should be able to fill in without missing a beat.

Playing a season-high 61 snaps, Williams posted the highest overall defense grade (91.4) and coverage grade (91.8) of any Rams defensive player against the Cowboys. A grade of 90.0 or higher in any category is considered elite by the scouting service.

Williams has primarily been a special teams contributor this season, playing 180 snaps with that unit – fifth-most among Los Angeles players who have seen action in that phase this season. His 61 snaps were more than his previous three appearances this season combined (46) according to PFF's data.

CONSISTENCY FOR HIGBEE

Tight end Tyler Higbee was once again the most reliable receiver for the Rams offense.

The former Western Kentucky standout's receiving grade of 79.9 against the Cowboys marked the third consecutive week he finished with the highest mark of any Rams offensive player.

Higbee had zero drops last week, but was perhaps most impressive is that it was another complete performance overall. In addition to recording his highest run-blocking grade of the season (69.6), he also had overall, receiving and pass-blocking grades of 70.7 or better for the fourth time this season.

HOWARD MAKES MOST OF LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES

Linebacker Travin Howard was only on the field for eight of the Rams' 70 defensive snaps but still managed to capitalize on those chances.

Per PFF, Howard registered a 90.1 overall defense grade and an 88.2 coverage grade, both season-highs. Both marks were second to Williams for highest among all Rams defensive players who saw snaps against the Cowboys.

Roman Gabriel, Fred Dryer, and Merlin Olsen. I can't of any other ex-Ram actors than this. I am not thinking of commercials, but actual roles, however short....

Looks like a movie called Undefeated, featured John Wayne and Rock Hudson, also two Rams players. Who were they without googling!

I just have watched a few Star Trek movies on BBC America. I remembered again why I thought it was the best in the series.I grew up on the original tv series and the story revisted in "the Wrath, "was started in the original series with a ship of cryogenically frozen humans from earth which had left earth in the 1990's? They were a ship full of geneticaly enhanced humans who were made to become rulers of dictatorships on earth, but something went wrong ad they escaped on the ship towards a different planet that they could rule. Of course Kirk wins and exhiles Khan and his supermen/women on a planet with supplies, and Khan says this to Kirk as they maroon them on the planet.
"Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven." ~ Paradise Lost

Khan shows up 15 years later when a different Star ship shows up thinking the planet is a sister planet to Khan's, not knowing the sister planet exploded and they landed on Khan's horror of a planet Atmosphere and climate changed radically, and Khan blames Kirk for not checking on them in the intervening years. In any case, Khan and his survivors take control of a starship and they go after Kirk and the Enterprise.
"Revenge is a dish best served cold..." ~ Khan

I liked this one most, becaause Khan was/is a great evil character, played by Ricardo Montalban and a major character in the old cast dies in it. Spock dies in the end. Only the red shirts with no names died in the show, so this was a big thing...
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one" ~ Spock.

Congrats to, well, nobody for picking the Cowboys to win last weeks game.So we will be rolling over 2 weeks worth of prizes to this weeks contest.

This weeks contest is now worth 9000 for closest prediction, or 15000 for an exact score!!! That would go a long way in helping someone win the Richest Member Award !!

so lets see those predictions

Darious Williams ready to go for Rams if Troy Hill can't

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – It is possible that cornerback Troy Hill could play Saturday against the 49ers with a cast over his surgically broken right thumb, but his ability to do so will largely depend on his pain tolerance as the condensed week goes on.

If Hill can't go, second-year defensive back Darious Williams is prepared to step up in his place.

"Oh yeah, for sure," Williams said. "Obviously you want Troy to be back. He's one of the leaders, especially in the secondary. But if Troy needs time to heal, that's why I'm here, so I'll be ready."

Should that scenario unfold, it would follow the same procedure that Los Angeles went with against Dallas.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Hill fracture his thumb when he tackled Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott on a 3rd and 3 with 7:35 left in the first quarter. Hill was replaced by Williams on the next defensive snap, and Williams went on to play 61 of the team's 70 defensive snaps. Williams' snap count and five total tackles he finished with were both season-highs.

Williams initially recorded his first career interception late in the first quarter, only to have it wiped out by offsetting penalties against the Rams and the Cowboys. Despite this, he still ended up with the highest coverage grade of any Rams defensive player against the Cowboys, according to scouting service Pro Football Focus.

"I thought he did a nice job," Rams head coach Sean McVay after Sunday's game. "Really, just in terms of his competes, his toughs, you look at the way that he was able to make some plays. I thought he made a nice play – any time that you get it called back – but it looked like he made a good break on the one that was an interception. But then it ended up getting overruled and you can’t do anything about that."

Williams only saw action on special teams in the first game against the 49ers back in Week 6, but he's well aware of the challenges they present heading into Saturday's game.

"They're just a strong team all-around – offense, defense and special teams, they're good," Williams said. "They added Emmanuel Sanders, another key receiver. It's just a solid team, but we're just as good. Just go out there and play our game and the way we're capable of."

Whew - taking me a second to digest this play. Let me preface by saying I still have faith in Goff, although it is waning just a bit.

Either Goff is 100% predetermining his read before the play here, or he simply does not have a good grasp of his offensive options against the defensive set.

There is some pressure coming from the left edge but Whitworth is flushing his man in front of Goff, who could have taken a quick step to the left.

He's locked on Woods from the snap, and there is NO chance for this pass that was ultimately intercepted by Lee. If Lee had not intercepted it, it would have been picked by the safety.

Note that Higbee is open underneath, Cooks is open breaking outside, and Gurley is wide open in the flat. The route concepts of this play should have made this evident to Goff presnap - with Woods and Kupp driving deep, the entire middle of the field could be wide open and the flat to Gurley is guaranteed to be there.

How Goff doesn't recognize this with the immediate LB blitz and go straight to Higbee is 100% mind boggling to me. Had the LB not blitzed, Gurley is an immediate primary option in the flat for a big gain.

Instead, he chose the absolute worst option on the play.

y

I will have to find a link.

I saw this... just had to post it...

Titans are first NFL team since 1987 to miss more field goals than they made

The Titans are on the verge of wrapping up the ugliest season of kicking that the NFL has seen since 1987.

So far this season the Titans are 8-for-18 on field goals. If they don’t improve over the final two weeks of the season, they’ll be the first team since the 1987 Vikings to miss more field goals than they made.
That 1987 Vikings team saw its regular kicker, Chuck Nelson, go 13-for-24, which is bad but better than this year’s Titans. However, the 1987 season involved a players’ strike that featured three games with replacement players, and the Vikings’ scab kicker, Dale Dawson, went just 1-for-5 on field goals.

The Titans don’t have the excuse of a players’ strike, although they have had injuries at the kicker position that have resulted in three different kickers playing for them this season: Ryan Succop is an ugly 1-for-6, while Cairo Santos went 4-for-9 and Cody Parkey went 3-for-3.

That adds up to less than 50 percent of field goals made. If the Titans just miss the playoffs — and right now they’d miss the last wild card spot on a tiebreaker — they’ll look back at their inability to find a reliable kicker as a big reason.

Poof.

Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey selected to 2020 Pro Bowl

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey have been selected to the 2020 Pro Bowl, the league announced Tuesday. The game is set for Jan. 26, 2020, with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. PST on ESPN.

For Donald, who has been selected as a starter, it is his sixth consecutive nod to the annual all-Star game. He has been a Pro Bowler in every season since being drafted No. 13 overall by Los Angeles in 2014.

For Ramsey, it is his third straight season earning Pro Bowl honors, but it will be his first as a member of the NFC.

Here’s a closer look at how each of their seasons have gone through Week 15:

DT AARON DONALD

Donald helped his case by earning NFC Player of the Week honors for the sixth time in his career, receiving it after tallying four total tackles, including two for loss, plus two sacks, four QB hits and one pass breakup in L.A.’s 17-7 win over Chicago in Week 11.

The former Pitt standout has 27 total tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups on the season. His 11 sacks guarantee a double-figure finish in that category for the third consecutive year and fourth time in the last five years.

CB JALEN RAMSEY

Acquired in a trade with the Jaguars on Oct. 15, Ramsey has 29 total tackles, two pass breakups and one forced fumble across eight games with the Rams. During that same stretch, his presence in the secondary has coincided with L.A.’s pass rush collecting 30 of its 43 sacks on the season.

The 2020 Pro Bowl presented by Verizon will follow the traditional AFC versus NFC format and feature 88 of the best NFL players – 44 from each conference as determined by a consensus of votes by fans, players, and coaches. Both teams will be led by offensive and defensive NFL legends, who will serve as captains representing each conference.

First Look: Rams travel to San Francisco to face 49ers

The Los Angeles Rams resume NFC West play this week with a road game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.

In advance of the contest, here’s an early look at the 49ers, including notable additions, their top statistical performers in their most recent game, where they rank in certain statistical categories and key storylines.

Notable additions

• Traded for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders on Oct. 22. A little over two weeks after defeating the Rams, the 49ers acquired Sanders and a fifth round pick from the Broncos in exchange for their 2020 third and fourth round picks. He has 30 receptions for 416 yards and three touchdowns in eight games with San Francisco after posting 30 for 367 yards and two in the first seven games of the season with Denver.
• Activated defensive lineman Kentavius Street to the active roster from the injured reserve list on Dec. 14. With defensive lineman D.J. Jones placed on injured reserve with a season-ending high ankle sprain, the team activated Street in a corresponding move. Street also provided needed depth with another defensive lineman, Dee Ford, missing Sunday's game and likely the rest of the regular season with a hamstring injury. Street had one tackle while playing 11 of San Francisco's 67 defensive snaps against the Falcons in Week 15.

Top performers in Week 15

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed 22 of 34 pass attempts for 200 yards and one touchdown in a 29-22 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.

Running back Raheem Mostert handled the majority of the backfield work, rushing 14 times for 54 yards and one touchdown. Tevin Coleman added four carries for 40 yards, while Matt Breida had four for 11.

Tight end George Kittle led all 49ers receivers with 13 receptions for 134 yards. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk (two for six) was on the receiving end of Garoppolo's lone touchdown pass.

Defensively, linebacker Fred Warner finished with a team-high nine total tackles.

On special teams, kicker Robbie Gould converted all three of his field goal attempts and made one of two extra point attempts.

Rankings

Offense

• Points Per Game: 2nd (29.9)
• Yards Per Game: 6th (383.2)
• Passing Yards Per Game: 13th (236.2)
• Rushing Yards Per Game: 2nd (147.0)

Defense

• Points Allowed Per Game: 5th (18.4)
• Yards Allowed Per Game: 2nd (269.0)
• Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 1st (154.4)
• Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 21st (114.6)

Early storylines to watch, and what they mean for the Rams

The 49ers' defense has been hit hard by injuries, so the health of that unit makes for arguably the most important development to monitor in the coming days.

San Francisco's secondary was banged up in Week 15, playing without Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman (hamstring), strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) and nickel cornerback K'Waun Williams (concussion) against Atlanta. That was on top of the aforementioned injuries to the defensive line. The Falcons were able to take advantage of both, rallying in the final 5:15 for the 29-22 victory.

Considering where the 49ers defense ranks statistically in multiple key categories, any absences in the secondary or along the defensive line would presumably benefit the Rams offense. However, that won't be certain until the final injury report comes out later this week.

After that dismal defeat in Dallas, my sights have wandered into next season. What will the new uniforms look like? Color scheme? I know there have been many mockups, but I figured we'd have to wait until we get info in Mar/Apr, in time for the draft (for our 2 picks).

Then, as I was checking out the latest drone footage from the new stadium, and took a long hard look at the seat colors, one thing became clear. I now know we are going blue, and that the shade is a dark navy, similar to what they're wearing today. No way they go back to royal (like the throwbacks), after forking out the cash for these seats.

Now it's just down to white/grey/yellow/gold or any combo of these. If the stick with the throwback yellow, we're going to look like the Wolverines, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.

F the 49ers this weekend.

Coughlin has now cemented his legacy in Jax. He's fucked up the franchise not just once... he's done it TWICE.

LOLOLOLOL

We still can have an impact on things...

The season is winding down... 3 games are on the schedule for Saturday!

Get those picks in!

Good luck players!

Rams CB Troy Hill undergoes surgery on fractured thumb, K Greg Zuerlein suffers muscle strain

Rams cornerback Troy Hill underwent surgery today to repair a fractured thumb sustained in Sunday's game, head coach Sean McVay confirmed Monday evening.

"There's a possibility that we could cast that and he could play this week, but we'll see how he's feeling and what his pain tolerance looks like as the week progresses," McVay said regarding Hill's status for Saturday's game against the 49ers.

If Hill is unable to play, Darious Williams would be the next man up at cornerback opposite Jalen Ramsey.

Hill has played in each of Los Angeles' 14 games this season, with the Cowboys game marking his ninth consecutive start. His 38 total tackles, one sack and eight pass breakups in 2019 are all career-highs, while his two interceptions match his career best in a single season.

Additionally, kicker Greg Zuerlein suffered a "low-strain quad" against the Cowboys, but McVay said they expect him to be able to play against the 49ers. The team is preparing other options in the event Zuerlein is unable to go on Saturday.

"We'll kick him later in the week and see how he's feeling," McVay said.

Quarterback Jared Goff suffered a right thumb contusion on Sunday, and McVay said he believed it occurred as a result of hitting left tackle Andrew Whitworth's helmet while finishing the throw which resulted in an interception. McVay said Goff is "feeling good" after having it checked out today.

Rams 2020 Schedule Taking Shape

The Rams' home opponents for the 2020 regular season have been finalized.

Los Angeles will host teams from the NFC East and AFC East, including a Super Bowl LIII rematch with New England, at SoFi Stadium next year in addition to the Chicago Bears and their usual slate of NFC West opponents.

The only piece to their overall 2020 schedule yet to be finalized is their road game against the 3rd place finisher in the NFC South, which will be either Tampa Bay, Carolina or Atlanta.

Below is the full list of Rams opponents, and where the matchups will take place. Preseason opponents will be announced during the offseason. The dates and times of the games will be announced later in the offseason at schedule release.

Be there for the 2020 season with season tickets starting at $105 per game! Learn more at www.Sofiseats.com/rams.

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Tampa Bay, Carolina or Atlanta

So since the only thing I personally have left to look forward to this season is speculating trades we will make in the offseason to make our draft a little more exciting, I've been thinking about who we could possibly use as trade bait.

1. Dante Fowler
Pretty much the only guy that MIGHT get us a 1st rounder. If he was playing at the same level all year I would say without a doubt we get a 1st for him. But his play has been inconsistent, much like the whole defense outside of Littleton and AD. I'm guessing we could get a 2nd and third for him.

2. Cooks
No way we get as much as we gave for him, and finding someone to take on his contract will be near impossible. I feel we can strike a deal with a team where we pay off a portion of his contract and they take on the rest and throw in a 4th.

3. Matthew's
I was real big on Matthew's after the first quarter of the season, but his play as of late leaves much to be desired. He constantly misses running qb's and his tackling has been piss poor in some games. I dont think we drop off too much if we let Ebomb start again. If anything I think we can get a third for him.

4. Weddle
Weddle retires.

Not sure theres anyone else worth trading. Not interested in the Goff or Gurley trading talks bc those will never happen and they should not happen. Chime in if you have any ideas.

Despite outcome to Cowboys, Higbee, Gurley + Kupp achieve new milestones

Rams tight end Tyler Higbee established a new franchise record, running back Todd Gurley moved up the list for another and wide receiver Cooper Kupp achieved a career first in Sunday’s 44-21 loss to the Cowboys.

With his 111 yards on 12 catches, Higbee became the first tight end in franchise history to have three 100-yard receiving games in a single season.

He also needs just 126 receiving yards to set a franchise record for most single-season receiving yards by a tight end. The former Western Kentucky standout currently has 546 on 52 receptions after Sunday.

Gurley moved him into a tie with Eric Dickerson and Steven Jackson for second all-time in rushing touchdowns in franchise history at 56 after reaching the endzone on a seven-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Two more rushing touchdowns will give him sole possession of second, while four will put him first, surpassing Marshall Faulk’s 58.

Kupp, meanwhile, surpassed 1,000 yards receiving on the season, marking the first time in his career he’s accomplished the feat. It was achieved when he made his first catch of the game, an 11-yard grab with 5:18 left in the third quarter, and he ended the contest with 41 yards on six catches, plus one touchdown, to give him 1,031 receiving yards through 14 games.

The trio will look to build on their performances Saturday against the 49ers in San Francisco.

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