https://www.si.com/nfl-power-rankings-2017

BIGGEST RISERS
Kansas City Chiefs (13th to 10th): It turns out a rejuvenated running game and a little bit of Tyreek Hill cures all, and back-to-back wins put the Chiefs’ magic number to clinch the AFC West at 1. So maybe just take that eulogy you were writing, cross out “Chiefs” and put “Titans.”

San Francisco 49ers (23rd to 20th): That’s three in a row since the Garoppolo era began, and four of five overall. Which is pretty good considering this franchise hadn’t won four of five since before California was granted statehood. No, wait; it was 2013. Either way, it had been a while.

BIGGEST FALLER
Seattle Seahawks (11th to 17th): The only way that de facto NFC West title game could have gone worse for the Seahawks would have involved some kind of poison gas cloud, or maybe an active volcano erupting directly under the team’s sideline. And now they’re being mean to each other.

#4 LOS ANGELES RAMS
-------------------
https://www.sbnation.com/2017/12/19/16793906/2017-nfl-power-rankings-curated-week-16

#5 Los Angeles Rams
---------------------
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-review-and-reaction-to-2017-league-standings

#5 Los Angeles Rams
---------------------
https://www.ninersnation.com/2017/12/19/16793192/2017-nfl-power-rankings-week-16-49ers

#6 Los Angeles Rams
--------------------
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/pag...land-patriots-unseat-pittsburgh-steelers-no-1

#5 Los Angeles Rams
---------------
https://www.bleedinggreennation.com...agles-patriots-steelers-cowboys-vikings-49ers

#6 - Los Angeles Rams - Hoo boy, I can’t remember the last time we saw a team go to CenturyLink Field and absolutely slaughter Seattle the way the Rams did. One of the most dangerous teams in the league come playoff time.
--------------
https://nesn.com/2017/12/nfl-week-16-power-rankings-rams-climb-to-no-2-after-shredding-seahawks/

#2 Los Angeles Rams: CenturyLink Field currently is in the process of being renamed after Rams star Todd Gurley (180 total yards, four total touchdowns) following the running back’s explosion in L.A.’s 42-7 statement win over the Seahawks.
--------------
https://ramblinfan.com/2017/12/17/2...ms-embarrass-seahawks-increase-nfc-west-lead/

#5. Los Angeles Rams
After giving a game away to the Seattle Seahawks back in October, the Los Angeles Rams understood what would happen if they ended up on the losing end for the second time by their division rivals in Week 15. With that being said, nobody could have ever imagined the Rams would end up blowing the Seahawks out the way they did to move even closer to winning the NFC West title.

When looking at all of the success surrounding Seattle being the team to beat in this division over the years, Los Angeles was supposed to be going through a year of rebuilding under Sean McVay since the head coach was taking over a team that won just four games all of last season.

Instead, the Rams have become one of the best surprises from the 2017 season, and not only is Jared Goff showing signs of being the one of the league’s next best quarterbacks, but also Todd Gurley is making a late case for deserving consideration for the MVP award.

Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe how great Gurley played against the Seahawks after rushing for 152 yards to go along with four total touchdowns. Don’t look now, but if the Rams hang on for a trip to the playoffs, this team is going to be tough to stop, especially on offense.
-------------
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/new...ikings-rams-jaguars/ddgatqzylvru11ijgaz3cnws3

#5. Los Angeles Rams 10-4

Todd Gurley and the defense are taking over from Jared Goff and the passing game and making Sean McVay's team more complete at the right time. They will be better prepared to face the Eagles or Vikings in possible playoff rematches.

https://uploadfiles.io/w3fx4

Link to the Rams-Seattle games
2 hours 22 min of fun!

Click to download

So aren't we wanting the Bucs to beat the falcons here due to scenarios? I pray they do and the game is 17-14.
Start of the 4th.

Why you ask? I'm praying the Seashits get into the playoffs so we can Lay the Smacketh down on them one more time for good measure!

This post is prompted by @Merlin post:

Rich asks whether there are conversations going on between his reps and the Rams to get him signed...

AD's answer: Yes.

Thank God. Hope both sides find a way to make it work.

Click to expand...

Okay. Here goes.

I think Aaron Donald is a compulsive competitor and winner. Under Fisher, I think he was beyond frustrated. So much so that while other guys were saying things like "we failed coach" and "we didn't execute", Donald was pretty quiet. That silence spoke volumes. When it came to the new coach, he had a wait and see attitude.

I have speculated based on a few bits of information and things we've all learned about Aaron Donald that the reason he didn't sign this off-season wasn't about the money. Rather, I think his people insisted on a 3-year opt-out clause because Aaron Donald refused to go out like Steven Jackson and so many other Ram greats who withered on the losing vine. So, yeah, sign the big contract, but if it's still a shitshow 3 years from now, he could opt out and gtfo.

So, when I brought up alternatives to Aaron Donald staying, it's not because I wanted him gone. I'm notoriously stingy regarding paying the NFL for anything and Aaron Donald is one of the few guys whose jersey I'm considering buying (waiting for the new unis). I LOVE this guy, his competitive fire, and insistence on dominating.

But... we all may not have a choice. He may go because he and his advisors insist on that clause (or some other equally disqualifying language to the Rams).

The great news, if I may speculate further, is that AD is willing to listen to the Rams now that we are winning and not just winning, but set up to win for a long time. The entire culture changed in a very short period of time.

When AD came back, he made it clear that he would have no conversations about signing until after the season. I figured he'd play angry, almost resentfully angry all season and then try to force a trade.

But McVay and Wade were WAY better than even the drunkest of us Kool-Aid drinkers could hallucinate. The Rams haven't just won, but dominated. They lost 3 of 4 games in ways that showed we just had to learn how to better deal with scheme, execution and each other. Each loss has made us stronger.



The fact that AD's agents are even ENGAGED with the Rams prior to the end of the season is a FANTASTIC sign.

I think he earned even more money and his cap hit next year is gonna make Drew Brees seem like a bargain, but he'll be a Ram for life.

So, yet another effect, not side-effect, but direct effect of McVay's success is that Aaron Donald may actually sign that long-term contract we all want him to sign.

And if you saw AD out there on Sunday, he was having FUN. He plays angry, but you could tell he wants to keep playing with these guys.

I want this to happen so badly, but this tidbit, if true, is the first sign that AD may actually sign the long-term deal.

And that, my friends, may be an even bigger victory than what just happened in Seattle.

Perhaps this article was already posted in the Celebration thread, but I just wanted to make sure that everyone here had a chance to revel in the exquisite pain of Hawks fans. This article gave me a Schadenboner. (Shout out to Mackeyser)

https://www.fieldgulls.com/2017/12/...rley-fantasy-playoffs-nfc-west-cigar-thoughts

A day after the the Rams' biggest regular season victory in over a decade and a half against a divisional opponent no less, the sports talk hosts here in Los Angeles are spending more airtime on "Kobe Bryant Day". The Rams' Flagship station is even rebroadcasting some of Kobe's great games. Meanwhile the guy was cheering for the Eagles at the Coliseum when the two teams played. Don't get me wrong; I enjoy basketball but Kobe was the biggest "ball hog" in the history of Laker basketball. It was always about him. And the Rams have to take a back seat to this dude. NFL football is still the nation's #1 sport. What a joke. Well, I guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow before we get back to the Rams!

PS--I hope when they uncover his uniform numbers (8 & 24) and install him in the Staples Center Ring of Honor that they mention little affair with another woman in a hotel room while the club was on the road, too.
Shame on him and Shame on the Lakers!! My wife, a Laker fan since she was a kid, switched her allegiance to the Cliippers when the news emerged.

Ironically, the only station that gave more airtime to the Rams' victory was the Mighty 1090, sports station based in San Diego!!

Jared Goff has the potential to post the best touchdown interception ratio in Rams history. Goff is tied with Roman Gabriel for first place at a ratio of 3.4/1 (24 TD/7 Int). Trent Green is in second place with a ratio of 3.2/1 (16 TD/5 Int) and Warner in third at 3.15/1 (41 TD/13 Int). Having such a favorable TD/Int ratio is very Aaron Rodger like. Hats off to Goff.

I have been attempting to think of a comparison from the past 30 years to Goff. I actually see a lot of Tom Brady in him. Accurate passer. Smart decision maker. Poised in the pocket.

I am not saying he will be equivalent to TB12. Just that he has the same attributes.

Rams need to win out to further their amazing turn around lore! Rams go from 4 and 12 to 12 and 4!!!!

Michael Silver said:

According to a witness, McVay kept it short and sweet, telling his players, "Nothing needs to be said. We're ready. Let's (expletive) go!"

Click to expand...

He was right, and they did.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...guides-focused-rams-to-cusp-of-division-title

#2 in sacks
#3 in completion % allowed
#5 in points allowed
#5 in takeaways
#5 in qb rating allowed
#7 in passing yds allowed
#7 in passing yards per attempt
#8 in total first downs allowed

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

Click on the teams to determine the winners and it shows you who's in and out and seeds ect.

The Rams can beat teams in so many diverse ways.

Running
Passing
Scoring
Defending run
Defending pass
Scoring defense
Turnover differential
ST punting
ST kicking
ST return game (Cooper)
ST kick coverage
ST punt coverage

Plus, the Rams are relatively young and healthy right now.

Honestly, this looks like a pretty complete team in multiple facets of the game. When several of these are clicking at the same time, look out! It can become a rout rather quickly.

I’ll say this. I wouldn’t want to play us right now if I were another playoff team. Any playoff team.

Thomas Davis gets a two game suspension for hitting a defenseless receiver.

Gronk gets only a fine for a late hit on a defenseless defensive back.


A Seahawk special teamed gets instantly ejected against the Rams for starting a fight.

Gronk is allowed to stay in the game despite the epitome of unsportsmanlike. conduct.



Also, Rams Hawks announcer says Ed Hochuli usually means good thing for Seattle. WTF?

I have saw a couple of threads about free agents that we need to bring back and our potential space. (51million)

But i was noticing something when looking at some of the Rams contracts. Gurley will be entering his final year of his contract and will be eligble to negotiate for the first time. With the year he is having is there any worry that he will demand another contract next season that will pay him tob rb money?

Since no one else is gonna talk about it.



Hell why not???

The games against Philly and Minnesota were definitely winnable! It unraveled in the 4th quarter against the Vikings and against the Eagles they just needed to finish! I think the Rams defense can destroy the Panthers' offense and the Saints and Falcons are shaky.

Over in the AFC, no team should fear the Patriots. Tom Brady is not looking like his old self. Rams have the better defense. Pittsburgh suddenly has a bad defense with Joe Haden and Ryan Shazier out. They likely going to have a less than 100% Antonio Brown and rely on a rookie (JuJu) and an up and down guy (Martavius Bryant). Rest of the AFC is a bunch of MEH.

Rams have 3 main things going for them....

-Pass rush

-Running game

-Not turnover prone on offense; get turnovers on defense

Those 3 can = Super Bowl.

CRUSH ALL THE OPPONENTS!!!!!

The long td run has been eluding Todd gurley all year . I jumped off my couch when I seen him turn that corner yesterday . He left 3 defenders on the ground and I can't wait to see what speed he was clocked at.

He is truly a beast, power to run thru tackles and speed to leave defensive backs standing still .

We have the best running back in the nfl and that run showed me that he is healthy and ready to carry the load.

For those interested.

Should be noted that CB Johnson and DE Quinn have been ascending quickly from the 40's. Also, per PFF, this rating portrays Ogletree as one of the worst players in the NFL, so take it for what it's worth:

QB Goff - 78.7 #18 QB
RB Gurley - 89.9 #1 RB
RB Brown - 65.9 NES to be ranked
WR Watkins - 78.3 #32 WR
WR Kupp - 81.0 #20 WR
WR Woods - 81.4 #19 WR
WR Reynolds - 59.0 NES to be ranked
WR Austin - 65.2 NES to be ranked
WR Cooper - 67.2 NES to be ranked
WR Thomas - 51.2 NES to be ranked
TE Everett - 52.9 #39 TE
TE Higbee - 54.5 #35 TE
TE Carrier - 63.7 NES to be ranked
C Sullivan - 71.7 #12 C
C Blythe - 52.9 NES to be ranked
G Saffold - 83.9 #8 G
G Brown - 47.4 #42 G
T Whitworth - 83.4 #8 T
T Havenstein - 75.9 #32 T
T Williams - 64.8 NES to be ranked
CB Webster - 71.6 #76 CB
CB Coleman - 85.4 #17 CB
CB Johnson - 74.7 #63 CB
CB Hill - 76.5 NES to be ranked
CB Hatfield - 45.0 NES to be ranked
CB Peterson - 51.5 NES to be ranked
S Johnson III - 86.3 #10 S
S Joyner - 90.1 #3 S
S Davis - 77.5 #45 S
S Christain - 65.8 NES to be ranked
S Countess - 44.9 NES to be ranked
LB Barron - 69.6 #45 LB
LB Ogletree - 36.3 #89 LB (Total Garbage Ranking)
LB Hager - 72.1 NES to be ranked
LB Littleton - 72.8 NES to be ranked
DL Walker - 55.2 #102 DL
DL Smart - 42.5 #119 DL
DL Brockers - 83.7 #27 DL
DL Donald - 98.7 #1 Entire NFL
DL Westbrooks - 77.9 #59 DL
DL Fox - 63.2 #97 DL
DE Ebukam - 69.6 #80 DE
DE Barwin - 45.4 #110 DE
DE Quinn - 70.8 #71 DE
DE Longacre - 73.8 #63 DE

A guy from another board wrote this, it is interesting, but missing info:
I wrote this to my bro who is a Vikes fan:

Here is my perspective on the ‘entire’ NFC playoff picture and who can beat who:

Football is matchups, and so I don’t believe Case Keenum continues to play at a pro
Bowl level, though I do believe the Vikings defense will dominate in the playoffs against
Most teams. However, I do think the Rams and Falcons might be able to do some things
Against the Vikings that the other teams can’t. Dallas, the Falcons and Seattle may be the wild cards, we don’t know yet (even the Lions, too)

#3 seed LA Rams would
beat: Eagles or Vikings (very confident about Eagles, less on Vikings)
very well might lose to: Falcons or Saints and 50/50 chance on Panthers.
probably and likely beat: Seattle or Dallas

The Rams can beat the Eagles and Vikings straight up because of their QB play....assuming Case drops back a little. Also, the Rams may not match up well against the Falcons pass game or Saints run game....Oh, the Rams beat the Saints---yes, because they dominated Brees. In the re-match it will be totally different; this is the NFL, not high school. Coaches are paid to adjust, and Asshole Face will. Again, just opinion, kids.

Though the Vikings and Eagles might be better than the Rams, I don’t believe in their quarterbacks. Case can take them to the Super Bowl because of their defense.



#2 seed Vikings would
beat: Eagles, Saints, Dallas, and Seattle
very well might lose to: Falcons and Rams
probably beat: Panthers

The Vikings can easily stop Brees, and the Saints have an awesome running attack, but the Vikings are the defense that matches up with them.
The Rams and Falcons have probably the best “Offensive” minded coaches. I think both teams would re-play the Vikings totally different. LOL, maybe it wouldn’t matter, because Zimmer is a top 5 D coordinator.

#1 seed Eagles would:
beat: Dallas, Seattle and maybe the Panthers
would lose to: Saints, Rams, Vikings, maybe Falcons, too

Summary: I would love the Rams to beat the Falcons, then Vikings, then Eagles/Saints; however, beating the Falcons is no gimme. If they get past the Falcons, and stay healthy, I think they can beat ....in a game of matchups I wonder if we have the pass D to stop them....and they mix the run in very well. And another note: Football is all about matchups. If Cam Newton plays like 2015, I don’t think any team can beat the Panthers---he has been sooo inconsistent, so who knows know…..however, the Saints seem to know how because of the intradivisiona knowledge.

iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast...ks-feat-joe/id1233567831?i=1000397655669&mt=2

SPREAKER: https://www.spreaker.com/user/downtownrams/rams-take-control-of-nfc-west-beat-seahawks

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWyeI3RSels


Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/CHE__MAZKYI

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/lMx6exT5bxQ

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56h4kDFc95Y&t=41s

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/v136duy4Reo


Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/8gjp7sZchUw?t=17m55s

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

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qk53LNaVG4


Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIja6A9KKAU


Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WWQboHWvbw