I’m thinking of the 9 hour drive for a big Sunday night game.

Anybody going? Got an extra ticket?

Ticket re-sellers?

I've gone all in and booked flights and hotel for me and the wife for the weekend of the 12th and 13th.

If the Rams implode and end up playing a wild card team, I could be in trouble because neither are refunadable!

I've never been to a playoff game or the Coliseum, so I'm pumped.

Anyway, tickets go on general sale tomorrow and I was wondering if any of you have any do's or don't's, areas to avoid etc?

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/thursd...ars-vs-tennessee-titans-prediction-picks-2018

Thursday Night Football: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans (6-6) and Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) will meet for the second time this season to kick off Week 14 action in the NFL on Thursday night inside Nissan Stadium. The AFC South rivals last met in Jacksonville back in Week 3. That matchup proved to be a hard-fought defensive struggle that resulted in 9-6 victory for Tennessee. It marked the third consecutive win in the rivalry for the Titans, who now lead the all-time series 28-20.

The Titans enter Week 14 with a shot of momentum after overcoming a 16-0 deficit with the help of some last-minute heroics from Marcus Mariota and the defense to secure a 26-22 win against the Jets on Sunday. The much-needed victory brought an end to a two-game losing skid, salvaging Tennessee’s dwindling playoff hopes in the process. The Titans currently reside among four AFC teams with a 6-6 record vying for the conference’s final wild-card spot, just one game behind the 7-5 Ravens. Tennessee now has an opportunity to improve its chances in the hotly-contested AFC playoff race with a clean sweep of Jacksonville on Thursday night.

Unfortunately, the 4-8 Jaguars’ chances of making it back to the postseason are slim to none at this point in the season. Nevertheless, Jacksonville continues to fight the good fight, and the Jaguars can now turn their attention to the rival Titans with a boost of confidence following Sunday’s upset of divisional foe Indianapolis. The 6-0 shutout victory over the surging Colts snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Jags. They will now make their way to Nashville in search of their first road victory since Week 1 and back-to-back wins for the first time since Week 2.

Jacksonville at Tennessee

Kickoff: Thursday, Dec. 6 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Spread: Titans -4.5

Three Things to Watch

1. Can Leonard Fournette return from suspension to spark the Jacksonville offense?

The deck was very much stacked against the Jacksonville offense heading into the Week 13 matchup against the Colts. The Jaguars fired offense coordinator Nathaniel Hackett only days prior, and newly appointed starting quarterback Cody Kessler would be taking snaps behind an offensive line down three starters. To make matters worse, Fournette was serving a one-game suspension for inciting a brawl against the Bills in Week 12. The result was a Jacksonville offense that couldn’t find the end zone even once in Sunday’s upset win. To be fair, it’s a small miracle that the Jaguars managed to move the football at all under the circumstances.

The good news is that Fournette will return on Thursday night to help bolster an otherwise anemic Jacksonville offense. Since returning from a hamstring injury in Week 10, Fournette has done most of the heavy lifting for the sputtering Jaguar offense with 358 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns in three games. He will face a Tennessee run defense that has allowed 539 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns over its last three contests. On the surface that bodes well for Fournette. However, the Jacksonville passing game doesn’t present much of a threat with Kessler under center. And running room may be hard to come by behind a makeshift offensive line against a Titans defense that has the luxury of focusing almost all its attention on stopping the talented running back. Regardless, the Jacksonville offense stands a much better chance for success with Fournette back in the lineup.

2. A formidable Tennessee defense looks to stay on track at home

The Titans' defense had been among the most stifling units in the NFL before surrendering 38 points to the Colts in Week 11 and 34 points to the Texans in Week 12. Fortunately, the Titans were able to rebound nicely in Week 13, preventing the Jets from scoring a single touchdown on offense this past Sunday. It wasn’t quite a perfect performance against a somewhat weak Jets offense, but it was a big momentum shift for a Tennessee defense that seemed to be trending in the wrong direction. Look for the rejuvenated Titans defense to shine once again at home against a Jaguars offense that struggles mightily to put points on the scoreboard.

3. Can the Jacksonville defense return to elite form again on Thursday night?

Despite the Jaguars' 4-8 record and their recent seven-game losing streak, they have been able to put together solid efforts on defense most weeks. However, Sunday’s performance against a stout Indianapolis offense was on another level altogether and far more reminiscent of the elite defense that helped carry Jacksonville to the AFC Championship Game last season. The Jaguars held the Colts to a season-low 41 rushing yards and limited Andrew Luck to a paltry 4.8 yards per pass attempt. They also sacked the red-hot Colts’ quarterback three times and picked him off once en route to the shutout. The Jags will probably have trouble maintaining that level of dominance on the road this week, but a similar effort would certainly make life miserable for Marcus Mariota and a lackluster Tennessee offense on Thursday night.

Final Analysis

When these teams met in Week 3, Leonard Fournette was on the sidelines nursing a hamstring injury and Marcus Mariota was dealing with an injury of his own that left him with little to no feeling in his throwing arm. Neither team scored a touchdown in a 9-6 defensive struggle as a result. And while you will probably see a little more offense on Thursday night with Fournette and Mariota both healthy this time around, points will once again be at a premium with defense still being the primary strength for both teams. That being said, there’s a reason why Tennessee is 4-1 inside Nissan Stadium this season. There’s also a reason why you need to go all the way back to Week 1 to find Jacksonville’s only road win of the season against a hapless Giants team.

Even with Fournette back on offense, Jacksonville is going to have a hard time putting points on the scoreboard against a Titans defense that always plays extremely well at home. Conversely, it will be a tall order for the Jacksonville defense to match last Sunday’s dominance on the road against a Tennessee team playing for playoff survival.

Prediction: Titans 20, Jaguars 16

The Rams are taking crap because of a bunch of close games. But come on man, we are 11-1 and played the top two teams in the NFL, winning one and losing one on the road. Additionally, we played a bunch of teams that are in the playoff picture so it's not like the Rams were beating only patsies. The return of Aqib Talib helped as the defense only gave up 16 points and one TD which happened with Talib on the bench. Also, if Goff was "on" for thet Lions game, we probably drop a 50 burger on them.

But with a bunch of close games, some of which were close only in score (i.e. We could have beaten the Packers by 9 and some other teams by more, or the Denver game where they score a trash TD at the end to make it close) the Rams have probably become mentally tough and battle tested to be trailing and able to overcome adversity.

Even our one loss to the saints, we were down 21 and came back to tie it even if we eventually lost on their home field.

I think the close games will help us down the stretch. Our players feel like they will come through and win even when it gets tough. I like that and think the Rams will go deep into the playoffs and hopefully win the Lombardi.

Hey all,

Just wanted to let you all know that I should be back to posting a little more often now after my 2 or 3 years of silence. My little girl was diagnosed with the rare skin disease morphea on her forehead, near the eyes. Her aggressive treatment, combined with the arrival of my son, has not left me very much spare time.

Things seem to be getting under control and the road ahead looks bright... just like our rams.

I am looking forward to talking to you all again for some nice football discussions.

Cheers

I found this to be interesting:
https://247sports.com/college/bosto...Liam-Coen-as-Offensive-Coordinator-125880875/

New team in the top spot....I wonder who it is?!

Most anti-climatic tease, ever.

https://ramsondemand.com/powerrankings/angry-ranks-week-14.36/

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1070427660105396224

My favorite part...

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1070431573944623104

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1070442448424321024

Let’s see your projection! I have us winning out.



http://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/machine

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25460216/los-angeles-new-york-eight-cities-new-xfl

Big questions. Is there room for three pro football teams in Los Angeles? Will the XFL team have higher attendance than the Chargers?
----
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Los Angeles, the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area and Dallas were among the eight cities and venues chosen to be the home sites when the XFL launches its inaugural season in February 2020.

Commissioner and chief executive Oliver Luck also said there will be franchises in Houston, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, D.C., when the league kicks off the weekend of Feb. 8-9.

"After months of research and consideration, we're thrilled to announce the cities and venues of the XFL's eight inaugural teams," said Luck. "We are committed to being ingrained in the local community and extremely fortunate that our teams will have world-class facilities to call home."

The football league founded by wrestling entrepreneur Vince McMahon will be absent in several of the largest television markets: Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston and Atlanta. It will have 45-man active roster and play a 10-week regular season.

The XFL hopes to deliver a fan-centric, innovative experience, including fast-paced games and a family friendly environment, complemented by cross-platform viewing options and real-time fan engagement.

McMahon's league played one season in 2001 and then was disbanded.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...ley-named-nfc-offensive-player-of-the-week-4/

Todd Gurley named NFC offensive player of the week

Gurley was named NFC offensive player of the week for his role in L.A.’s win over the Lions.

Gurley had 23 carries for 132 yards and two touchdowns, and another 33 yards on three catches, as the Rams clinched the NFC West title. He now has 19 touchdowns this season with 1,175 yds rushing.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1070324521637339136

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1070009445336309760

The most annoying penalties on kickoff and punt returns are "holding" and "blocks to the back" which occur seemingly on half of all punts and kickoffs when the ball is returned. It will be interesting to hear what Johnny Hekker has to say about this.
*******************************************************
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-considering-changes-punt-plays-222615205.html

NFL considering changes to punt plays
Charean Williams

The NFL is considering changes to punt plays for 2019, with the competition committee using crowdsourced suggestions in its deliberations.

The league, of course, modified its kickoff rules this past offseason in a last-ditch effort to save the play from elimination based on the high rate of concussions.

Now, it is considering changes to the punt for both player safety and competitive purposes, with McKay citing the high rate of penalties on punts.

The NFL will use crowdsourced ideas as part of its data analytics competition in its “1st and Future” program tied to the Super Bowl in February in Atlanta. The competition committee also is expected to consult with special teams coaches as it did this past offseason before owners agreed to the kickoff rules changes.

Congrats to @flv for winning last weeks contest, only 1 point off the actual score. Your prize will be transferred to your account soon.



Well there ya have it, The Mighty Los Angeles Rams are your 2018 NFCW champions !!!

Can I get a wooooooooooooo !!!!


For week 14 the Rams travel to the windy city to take on the Chicago Bears. Can the Rams offense overcome last weeks sluggishness and put some points up against the Bears defense? Will anyone else on the Rams defense besides AD99 step up to the plate?


What do you think the final score will be?

https://www.bleedinggreennation.com...agles-cowboys-saints-rams-chiefs-patriots-nfc
1 - Los Angeles Rams (Last Week: 2) - The Rams are back on top for the first time since prior to losing to New Orleans. It only took them 13 weeks to officially clinch the NFC West.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...power-rankings-rams-saints-texans/2199251002/
1. Rams (2): Only team with 11 wins. Only team to clinch playoff berth so far. Only team with two bona fide MVP candidates (Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald)

https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/1...nkings-week-14-rams-cowboys-chargers-patriots
Teams I really like to watch
I suffered through so many bad Rams seasons, I started to think that’s just how you played the game, one excruciating drive at a time. Now, they’re consistently the most fun team to watch. I don’t even really care about the crappy way they left St. Louis. Hell, we’re all probably better off for having them in Los Angeles anyway. Had they never moved, Jeff Fisher would probably still be the coach, sullying the NFL one pathetic 7-9 season at a time.
My favorite team is the best team. That’s a pretty good way to start the power rankings this week.

https://heavy.com/sports/2018/12/nfl-power-rankings-cowboys-seahawks-week-14/2/
No. 1 Los Angeles Rams
No. 2 New Orleans Saints
The Rams have bounced back with three straight wins since losing to the Saints a month ago. Los Angeles put up a modest 30 points against the Lions in Week 13, but it got the job done. The win sealed the NFC West for the Rams and a postseason birth.

Jared Goff threw for just 207 yards, but it was good enough to win comfortably over the Lions. Todd Gurley had a typical day with 132 yards and two touchdowns.

"We're in a position right now that we feel good about," Rams head coach Sean McVay told ESPN. "If we take care of our business, all the rest of that stuff takes care of itself."

Los Angeles may have secured a playoff spot, but the Rams are still competing with teams like the Saints for home field advantage throughout the postseason. The Rams were able to gain a game on the Saints since they lost to the Cowboys.

The Rams have a difficult upcoming Sunday Night Football matchup against the Bears. We have the Rams ranked above the Saints based on how they have looked as of late and having one less loss than New Orleans.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/nfl...argers-surge-vikings-panthers-sink/ar-BBQrFnC
1. Los Angeles Rams 11-1 (last week: 2)

The Rams took care of the Chiefs and didn't have too much rust against the Lions, taking advantage of the Saints losing in shocking indoor road fashion Thursday. Todd Gurley and the defense looked great after the break.

https://nesn.com/2018/12/nfl-week-14-power-rankings-chargers-cowboys-climb-after-marquee-wins/
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-1; Last week’s rank: 2): The Rams clinched the NFC West with a win over the Detroit Lions and took over the No. 1 seed in the conference in the process. It was a good week for Sean McVay’s crew. Sidenote: Aaron Donald might be the MVP.

.@AaronDonald97 is very, very, VERY good. #ProBowlVote | #LAvsDETpic.twitter.com/Pj8lPtjD5g

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 2, 2018


http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-rankings-where-all-32-teams-rank-no-1-almost
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-1)
Week 13 ranking: 2

We're No. 1 in: Pass-block win rate. Give it up for the big guys up front, where it all starts for the 11-1 Rams and their explosive offense. The offensive line ranks No. 1 in pass-block win rate, defined as when a pass-blocker sustains his block for 2.5 seconds following the snap. The Rams have won 63 percent of their pass blocks, allowing Jared Goff plenty of time to distribute the ball to a host of playmakers. -- Lindsey Thiry


https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...er-bowl-contenders-after-starting-season-0-3/


Rams They continue to win games putting up big numbers on offense. But now they get the ultimate challenge facing a good Bears defense on the road. 1 11-1-0

https://www.mlive.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/12/98e361f801790/mlives-week-14-nfl-power-ranki.html
1. Los Angeles Rams (up 1)
Record: 11-1
Last week: Beat the Lions 30-16

They didn't have their sharpest game offensively, and a letdown performance was understandable given that it was a 10 a.m. PT road start in the game between playing the Chiefs and Bears. I still came away more impressed by them as a team, in their mental toughness and selflessness and the high ceiling of their stars. In the moment of these reactionary rankings, this is my favorite to win the Super Bowl.


https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/r...4-49ers-losing-cool-raiders-fighting#slide-39
1. L.A. Rams (11-1)
Previous rank: 2

Defensive Player of the Year should be a floor, not a ceiling. Aaron Donald for MVP.


https://fansided.com/2018/12/03/nfl-power-rankings-week-14-texans-packers/

LOS ANGELES RAMS 11-1
Last week: W, 30-16 at DET
Last rank: 2nd

Recap: The NFC West leaders returned from their off week and were playing the first of two straight road games vs. NFC North teams. The Rams also welcomed back cornerback Aqib Talib, out of action for a few months. And while the latter was still limited in the contest, the rest of the defense stepped up in a big way. Los Angeles gave up 310 total yards but only one touchdown as Aaron Donald and company sacked Matthew Stafford four times and forced him into a pair of turnovers. Meanwhile, running back Todd Gurley had 132 of the Rams’ 149 yards on the ground and rushed for two scores in a game a little closer than the final score may indicate.

Next Week: It’s a second straight meeting with an NFC North squad and McVay’s team will be in the prime time spotlight as the Rams head to the Windy City to battle the first-place Chicago Bears. The teams last met in 2015 at St. Louis and the home team was on the short end of a 37-13 setback.

================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================

And, of course... it wouldn't be a Power Poll thread if we didn't include our old pal, Walter

He continues to exhibit his own, unique style of laziness, as he hasn't changed his outlook on the Rams for weeks.

Hey.. at least he's consistent... in some ways... laziness... and inept. uke::giveup::baghead:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...chedule-for-sunday-night-football-in-week-15/

When the NFL’s schedule came out in April, the Week 15 schedule showed that the Rams would host the Eagles on Sunday Night Football.

The NFL has the option to flex another game into that slot, but they won’t be exercising that option. The league announced that the Eagles and Rams will be staying put.

The Eagles visited the Rams in Week 14 last season and won 43-35, although the lasting memory of that game is Carson Wentz‘s torn ACL rather than the 12 fourth quarter points that allowed Philly to head home with a comeback victory.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1070062650124578816
Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1070064080550010880

So... the Rams win the NFC West for the second year in a row.

My drive home takes around 45 mins to an hour.

For all but the last 5 minutes, all these clowns talked about was The Lakers and Labron. It was the useless Mason and Ireland show.

I mean... seriously.

When the Rams hosted that (moved) MNF game and invited First Responders and everything... the media had us believe they were making inroads toward increasing awareness and support from the entire city.

All the Rams do is win... win games... win Divisions. The Lakers are third in their Division and not expected to vie for the NBA championship.

I can see coverage on the Rams waning toward the middle/end of the week. But the Monday after they clinch the Division... with an 11-1 NFL best record?

Give me a break!!!!!! :wabbit::shooting::double::huh:uke::headexplosion::boxing::fuelfire:

Is there any other radio station that covers the Rams? Are they on any app (Radio.com, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio)?

Help... I'm so sick of tuning in on a Monday and getting next to no Rams info and 95% Labron. Lakers aren't going anywhere significant!!!

(one note of fairness: I live in the Central Time Zone, so I'm not hitting prime time coverage... but it's still 2:00 - 3:00 there. Can't we get anything on a Monday after a clinch and win?)

Staaaaay Classy, Pittsburgh....

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFhgp5V6lJ4



https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/12/04/steelers-fans-chokes-pregnant-chargers-fan/

As a Penn State fan, all I can say is thank god.

Its too bad about Urb’s health problems but going against a coach that can recruit like him made things tough for PSU. Even though Franklin got the edge on him with last years class, It is still a battle to outdo him every year.

The fact that I don’t respect his ethics and lying, etc,... just makes me happier to see him go.

Wrolstad was the ref for the Cardinals@Rams week 2.
******************************************************
http://www.footballzebras.com/2018/12/week-14-referee-assignments-2018/

Rams at Bears — Craig Wrolstad

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Wrolstad

Wrolstad's 2018 NFL officiating crew consists of umpire Paul King, down judge Jerod Phillips, line judge Carl Johnson, field judge Jeff Lamberth, side judge Adrian Hill, and back judge Scott Helverson.

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/12/04/nfl-rams-jared-goff-reddit-ama-sean-mcvay/

Click here to read the whole Q&A.
*********************************************
https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/12/04/nfl-rams-jared-goff-reddit-ama-sean-mcvay/

Jared Goff reveals hardest hit he's taken, funniest teammate in Reddit AMA
By: Cameron DaSilva

Goff has been through a lot in just three short years and he shared some insight on being the star quarterback of an L.A. football team in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Monday night. Here are some of the highlights.

Q: Who are some of the toughest defensive players you’ve faced?
A: Von Miller, Patrick Peterson, um… Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner, Chandler Jones

Q: What’s the hardest hit you’ve taken?
A: Last year Fletcher Cox right up the middle. It was a bad one. There are 5-6 that you can say but that one is the one I remember.

Q: Which defense have you found hardest to dissect and throw against and why?
A: Uh… This year it was the Broncos. They did a good job shutting us down. They did a lot of good things to counteract what we were doing. Getting into specifics would be hard but they had a good plan

Q: Can you ever get McVay to talk about a non football subject? If so what do you guys talk about?
A: Um… It’s hard. It’s very hard. But you can talk about anything you want. Don’t think we talk about anything outside of football too often, but he’s open to any conversation.

Q: What are the best and worst things about being a professional football player in a city as large as LA
A: Worst thing in LA is getting to the airport for our games. Takes about an hour and a half/coming home from games. Best thing is the weather. For the most part always sunny.

Q: Who has the best butt on the offensive line?
A: C’mon… haha. My center John Sullivan. Touch it every day. He’s the only one I have first hand experience with

Q: What does Sean McVay smell like?
A: What does he smell like? Like hair gel

Q: What does Wade Phillips smell like?
A: Haha… like my grandfather

Q: Who comes up with the names for the audibles? Does Sean McVay just say, “[expletive] it, this play is now audibled as Kanye,” or is there a method to the naming scheme?
A: There’s usually something to remind us about it but I’d say 90% of it comes from Sean. I’d say 9/10 times we like what he says. Kanye is a good one though… Maybe we can use that

Q: Hi Jared! What were some QBs you looked up to growing up and do you try to emulate any parts of your game after them?
A: Um.. Peyton Manning was always my favorite growing up. I don’t know if I try to take anything from him in particular. Now that I’m playing you know I see guys that are doing it at a high level and I take bits and pieces from anyone I see fit in my game

Q: Huge fan since I was a kid! Horns up! Jared, what was it like living with Cooper Kupp?
A: Haha I lived with Cooper for like 2 weeks but it was great. His wife Hannah made dinner a few times which was great. The best part was definitely Hannah making dinner and not living with Cooper (winks)

Q: Does playing QB in the NFL make you any better at Madden?
A: Honestly no. It makes me worse. I see a guy open and I make the throw and it’s not the throw I would’ve made. If it was me I would’ve made the throw a little bit different.