http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/n...-set-with-steelers-chiefs-winning-in-week-16/

If the Ravens were going to win the AFC North, beating the Steelers on Sunday was a must. After Kyle Juszczyk ran in a touchdown with just 85 seconds left to take the lead, it sure looked like they had done exactly what they needed to do.

And then the Steelers proved exactly why so many people consider them the most dangerous team in the AFC. With 1:18 to move the length of the field, Ben Roethlisberger did what he does best, marching the Steelers down the field on a 10-play, 75-yard, game-winning touchdown drive that sent the Steelers to the playoffs and clinched the AFC North.

With the win, the Steelers joined the Falcons and Texans as teams clinching their divisions in Week 16.

The AFC is a madhouse, but it's probably Pittsburgh or New England coming out. The good news is that we know all six teams on the AFC side after the Chiefs beat up the Broncos on Sunday night by a score of 33-10. Denver's loss not only eliminated the Broncos from the postseason hunt but, along with Baltimore's loss to Pittsburgh, sealed Miami's ticket to the playoffs, the Dolphins' first postseason trip since 2008. While the AFC West champion still needs to be decided, we know that one of the Chiefs, Raiders, Dolphins, Texans, Steelers or Pats will represent the AFC in Super Bowl 51.

The NFC is much more wide open, especially with respect to teams who will actually be in the playoffs. We have several teams that clinched -- the Cowboys, Seahawks, Falcons and Giants. But there is plenty of drama over the next several days (and hours) that will determine how things unfold.

The team to watch is Atlanta. After a dominant performance against the Panthers, who looked good the previous week, Atlanta eliminated a rival and put itself in position to steal a first-round bye. Atlanta, at 10-5, has a leg up on Seattle for the race to the No. 2 seed with the Seahawks losing to the Cardinals on Saturday.

Saturday was a busy day for the Falcons' playoff aspirations. First, they clinched a playoff spot based on the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker when the Raiders beat the Colts. Then, a Bucs loss to the Saints wrapped up the NFC South for Atlanta. And now, they're in the driver's seat for a first-round bye.

No one is talking about the Falcons, but everyone should be looking out for them.

Check out the Playoff Picture page, complete with tiebreaker explanation and rules. Here's how things look after Saturday's slate:

AFC: Who's in

1. (z) New England Patriots (13-2)
The Patriots are very close to securing home-field advantage throughout after taking the Jets to the woodshed. The Pats-Dolphins matchup in Week 17 suddenly has pretty large AFC implications with Oakland winning Saturday.

2. (x) Oakland Raiders (12-3)
The Raiders beat the Colts on Saturday but lost quarterback Derek Carr to a broken leg. The Raiders will try and lock up the AFC West and a first-round bye in Denver in Week 17.

3. (y') Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
The Steelers' thrilling win puts them back in the playoffs for a third straight year. However, they have no shot at grabbing a first-round bye in Week 17.

4. (y') Houston Texans (9-6)
Thanks to Tennessee losing and Houston winning over Cincy 12-10, the Texans clinched the AFC South title. While the Titans could tie the Texans in the standings by beating them in Week 17, Houston would own the tiebreaker.

5. (x) Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)
The Chiefs clinched a playoff berth before their Christmas night game against Denver by virtue of the Ravens losing, and they stayed alive in the AFC West race by taking care of the Broncos.

6. (x) Miami Dolphins (10-5)
Miami won in overtime over the Bills on Saturday, and then clinched a playoff spot once Baltimore and Denver lost on Sunday What a story for a team that was dead in the water to start the season.

Eliminated

Denver Broncos (8-7): The Broncos fall out of the playoff race with their loss to the Chiefs.

Baltimore Ravens (8-7): With the loss to the Steelers, the Ravens are also eliminated from the wild-card race.

Tennessee Titans (8-7): Tennessee gets eliminated with the Texans winning and locking up the AFC South.

Indianapolis Colts (7-8): With the Colts' loss to the Raiders, they are eliminated.

Buffalo Bills (7-8): The Bills losing to Miami in overtime snuffed out their long-shot chance of making the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-9-1): The Bengals lost an ugly game to the Texans on Saturday night.

San Diego Chargers (5-10): Congrats on giving the Browns their first win, San Diego.

New York Jets (4-11): Humiliating effort against the Patriots on Saturday.

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12): Blake Bortles caught a touchdown!

Cleveland Browns (1-14): That "1" looks pretty sweet.


NFC: Who's in

1. (*) Dallas Cowboys (12-2)
Dallas plays Detroit on Monday night but already has home-field advantage clinched courtesy of Philly beating the Giants on Thursday.

2. (y') Atlanta Falcons (10-5)
Atlanta manhandled the Panthers in Charlotte, and with the Saints beating the Bucs on Saturday, the Falcons clinch the NFC South.

3. Detroit Lions (9-5)
Detroit plays Dallas on Monday night but regardless of that outcome, the Jan. 1 matchup against the Packers will be for the NFC North title. The Lions can clinch a playoff spot by winning in Dallas.

4. (y') Seattle Seahawks (9-5-1)
Seattle already clinched the NFC West, but the Seahawks are now behind the 8-ball in their quest for a first-round bye with their loss to the Cardinals. They'll need to win next week and get help.

5. (x) New York Giants (10-5)
The Giants lost a horrible game to Philly on Thursday but got some big help Saturday and clinched a playoff berth thanks to the Bucs losing.

6. Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The Packers hammered the Vikings and would clinch a playoff berth and the NFC North with a win over Detroit on Jan. 1.

In the hunt
Washington Redskins (8-6-1): Washington trashed the Bears on Sunday, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7): The Bucs' playoff chances took a serious blow with that loss to the Saints on Saturday.

Eliminated

New Orleans Saints (7-8): Eliminated before their game against Tampa kicked off.

Minnesota Vikings (7-8): Minnesota's loss means it cannot make the playoffs.

Arizona Cardinals (6-8-1): The Cardinals played spoiler against division-rival Seattle on Saturday.

Carolina Panthers (6-9): Eliminated after losing to the Falcons on Saturday.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-9): But they beat the Giants so they have that going for them!

Los Angeles Rams (4-11): They're now 0-2 against the 49ers, who are 0-13 against everyone else.

Chicago Bears (3-12): Matt Barkley's stock took a hit with five interceptions Saturday.

San Francisco 49ers (2-13): Briefly had the inside track for the draft's top pick before winning.

Legend: (x) - clinched playoff berth; (y') - denotes division winner; (z) - denotes first-round bye; ( * ) - clinched home-field advantage

Sorry I'm a bit confused about what we traded away, although I know it was a boat load.

Exactly how many draft picks do we have this year?

And in what rounds are they?

And what positions do you feel we should use them on?

... and doesn't he look a little like him?

Big game tonight. KC looks like the much better team. Denver was a one year wonder IMO. Can't win with no offense for long.

Since going 4-0, Denver has gone 4-6 in the last ten games.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38432862

Ex-Wham! singer George Michael dies

Singer George Michael has died at the age of 53, his publicist has said.

The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and continued his success as a solo performer, is said to have "passed away peacefully at home".

Thames Valley Police said South Central Ambulance Service attended a property in Goring in Oxfordshire at 13:42 GMT on Christmas Day.

Police say they were treating the death as unexplained but there were no suspicious circumstances.

In a statement, Michael's publicist said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period.

"The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage."

On Instagram, Sir Elton John posted a photograph of himself with Michael, writing: "I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans."

Thames Valley Police said: "At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

"A post-mortem will be undertaken in due course. There will be no further updates from Thames Valley Police until the post-mortem has taken place."

Michael, who was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in north London, sold more than 100 million albums throughout a career spanning almost four decades.

He first found fame with his schoolfriend Andrew Ridgeley in duo Wham! before going on to release solo albums, including the multi-million selling Faith and follow-up Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1.

It outsold Faith in the UK but led to Michael losing a court case with record label Sony over his frustration over how the album has been marketed.

His talents as a singer, songwriter and music producer made George Michael one of the world's biggest-selling artists.

Blessed with good looks and a fine singing voice, his stage presence made him a favourite on the live concert circuit as he matured from teen idol to long term stardom.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_9hfHvQSNo


But there were times when his battle with drugs and encounters with the police made lurid headlines that threatened to eclipse his musical talents.

Michael scored seven number one singles in the UK with songs including Careless Whisper and Faith, and won three Brit Awards and two Grammys.

But as his career faded, Michael faced headlines for the wrong reasons.

In October 2006 he pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs and was banned from driving and in 2008 he was cautioned for possession of class A drugs, including crack cocaine.

In September 2010 Michael received an eight-week prison sentence following an incident the previous July in which he crashed his Range Rover into a shop in north London.

Duran Duran referred to the the so-called "curse of 2016" - following the deaths of David Bowie, Prince and Rick Parfitt - posting on their official Twitter account: "2016 - loss of another talented soul. All our love and sympathy to @GeorgeMichael's family."

A documentary film entitled Freedom was also due for release next March.

In 2011, Michael postponed a series of concerts after being taken to hospital for treatment for pneumonia.

After treatment in a Vienna hospital, he made a tearful appearance outside his London home and said it had been "touch and go" whether he lived.

Doctors were said to have performed a tracheotomy to keep his airways open and he was unconscious for some of his spell in hospital.

After years of refusing to be drawn on speculation about his sexuality, Michael disclosed he was gay in 1998 after being was arrested in a public toilet in Beverly Hills, California, for engaging in a lewd act.

• Wake Me Up Before You Go Go (with Wham!) - 1984
• Freedom (with Wham!) - 1984
• Careless Whisper - 1984
• I'm Your Man (with Wham!) - 1985
• The Edge of Heaven (with Wham!) - 1986
• A Different Corner - 1986
• I Knew You Were Waiting For Me (with Aretha Franklin) - 1987
• Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me (with Elton John) - 1991
• Five Live EP (with Queen and Lisa Stansfield) - 1993
• Jesus To A Child - 1996
• Fastlove - 1996

Looking at how teams did in their first season after relocation:
************************************************************
The Raiders moved from Oakland to Los Angeles in 1982(the year of the strike). They went 8-1.

The Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984. The went 4-12 but were 9-31 their 3 previous seasons before relocation.

The Cardinals moved from St. Louis to Phoenix in 1988. They went 7-9 and continued to be mediocre until 2009, but were also a bad team for most of their time in St. Louis(except 74 through 76).

The Rams moved from LA to St. Louis in 1995 and went 7-9. They were bad the previous 5 seasons while in LA and continued to be so in St. Louis until the 99 season.

The Raiders moved back to Oakland in 1995. They went 8-8. They were 9-7 their last season in LA.

The Oilers moved from Houston to Tennessee in 1997 and eventually became the Titans. They went 8-8. They had the same record their last season in Houston.

The Rams after this years' move seem to have actually gotten worse.
**********************************************************************
Jeff Fisher mentioned relocation to be a factor in why the team struggled so much this season. I don't buy it. In all fairness, he did say "no excuses" but mentioned it anyway.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/NoPlanB_/status/803428745537355776

Now this guy is a true disciplinarian, my only concern would be his age (70)

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/r...s-and-hes-no-blake-bortles-fan-180334093.html

We’ve breathlessly tracked the interest in unemployed septuagenarian former head coach Tom Coughlin in recent days — definitely by the Jacksonville Jaguars, perhaps by the Buffalo Bills and, when it’s all said and done there might even be an open spot on president-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet if Coughlin wants it. Here’s another interesting report on Saturday morning from Fox’s Jay Glazer: the Jaguars are not just paying lip service to their once maiden coach. Glazer said on his pregame report that the team will indeed interview Coughlin for Gus Bradley’s former position.
The more interesting nugget, however: Coughlin reportedly isn’t a big fan of quarterback Blake Bortles, per Glazer.

This can’t be stunning, but it is interesting in that the Jaguars might not be ready to dump Bortles yet. They have a huge decision looming on the former No. 3 overall draft pick this offseason when they must decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option. That would lock him into a contract for 2018 commensurate with the transition tag, which guarantees a salary equal to the average of the top 10 salaries at the position. Currently, that number sits in the $21 million to $22 million range but could change depending on any extensions signed between now and then around the league.

If Coughlin suggests that the team does not pick up the option, would that push him behind in the running for the position over a candidate who thinks they can revive his once-promising career? That’s unclear.

Beyond that, which quarterback might Coughlin want? The options for 2017 might be limited, via the draft, free agency or even a trade. The price to land one might be high, and there’s not a lot of clear-cut solutions who could step in — slow your roll on Tony Romo, we plead — as the kind of veteran leader Coughlin might seek.

After all, he’s turning 71 before the season and would not be hired to orchestrate a gradual rebuild. The Jaguars, who have gone 41-112 since their last playoff appearance, and team owner Shad Khan want to turn things around now.

I made out.

Got a new computer chair (my chair was so falling apart that , a WoW Alliance robe (Rams Blue/Gold colors...yay!) new earpads for my Beyerdynamic DT770 headphones (the velour can get grimy and I've had them for 10 years now)

But the really cool deal was the wife crochet'd me a circular blanket in my blue and gold Rams colors so that I can use it as a lap blanket at the computer... and because it's circular...I won't run over the blanket with the chair.

My mom and daughter who also crochet said the pattern was wicked hard, but she rushed like mad to get it done in time for Xmas. I'll see if I can post a pic. I took a pic with me in my robe sitting my my chair with my blanket in my lap holding a new mug and a plushy of lil Chen Stormstout that one of my kids game me. If I can find a way to pull the off Facebook, I'll post that.

I feel fully confident that my new circular blanket is full of really good mojo for our Rams!

How was everyone else's Holiday? Christmas? Second day of Hanukkah? etc? I realize it's not about the stuff.

That said... how was everyone's holiday?

Think I figured out the image from Facebook deal... here goes...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/12/25/drew-brees-closing-in-on-his-fifth-5000-yard-season/

Drew Brees closing in on his fifth 5,000-yard season
Posted by Michael David Smith on December 25, 2016

Getty Images

Saints quarterback Drew Brees is the only player in NFL history to pass for 5,000 yards in a season more than once. This year, Brees is likely to do it for the fifth time.

Brees has an NFL-high 4,858 passing yards this season, meaning he’ll almost certainly top 5,000 yards for the season in Week 17. Brees leads the league in passing by more than 200 yards over Washington’s Kirk Cousins, who has 4,630 passing yards this season, meaning Brees is a virtual lock to finish as the league leader for the seventh time in his career.

The rate at which Brees puts up yardage is unprecedented in NFL history: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Dan Marino and Matthew Stafford have each reached 5,000 yards once, and no one else has ever done it at all. If the 37-year-old Brees stays healthy for two more years, he’s likely to pass both Brett Favre and Manning and move into first place all-time in total passing yards.

It’s been a disappointing season for the Saints, who are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but Brees has added another strong season to his Hall of Fame résumé.

First Game Week 11 Miami

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8YnB6YV9wY


Second Game Week 12 New Orleans

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVGz2oT2jwA


I know another Goff Thread. I would like read what everyone is seeing here. Post some more if you can find them. Granted these are before the NFL had film on him. He also had some more time in early against New Orleans.

http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nfl/352001/Report--McDaniels-would-leave-Pats-for-HC-job


Ben Volin of the Boston Globe expects Patriots OC Josh McDaniels to land a head coaching job this offseason.

Per Volin, McDaniels "should have his choice of jobs" and is "likely to take one." We'd agree with this assessment, though being Bill Belichick's right-hand man in Foxboro isn't a bad gig either. McDaniels will likely be considered for the Jaguars' coaching vacancy and could be a candidate in Arizona if the Cardinals decide to move on from Bruce Arians. If McDaniels does accept a job elsewhere, it's unlikely he'd bolt to one of the Patriots' rivals like the Colts or Jets. There's also a good chance that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would follow McDaniels to wherever he ends up coaching.
Source: Boston Globe

01/01/2017 1:00 PM ET Saints at Falcons


With a Falcons WIN at home next week vs the Saints, Kyle Shanahan can interview with the Rams as early as January 2nd.

Obviously the Rams front office would have to schedule a day at the convenience of the Falcons and or any other HC prospects organizations with a bye during the week of
01/02/2016 though 01/08/2016.


Non-playoff teams
Coaches on a non-playoff team can interview at one point once the regular season ends. An assistant coach under contract must be granted permission to interview with another team if the interview is for a head coach position. A team can deny interviews for an assistant coach under contract interviewing for a non-head coach position.

Playoff teams
Coaches on teams playing wild card weekend cannot interview during the week of the wild card game. If a team loses, the "non-playoff teams" rules listed above apply. If a team wins, their coaches must be allowed to interview the week leading up to the divisional round games. The interview must take place in the city of the assistant's team, and the team can decide which day they will allow their assistant coaches to interview for head coach positions. The first interview must take place during that divisional round week.

Playoff teams with a Bye
Coaches on the top two seeds in either conference can interview with another team during the week of their bye. The interview must take place in the city of the assistant's current team, and that first interview must take place during the wild card round bye week.

Follow-up interviews
If a team wants to conduct a second interview with a candidate whose team keeps winning and earns a spot in the Super Bowl, the team must wait until the bye week of the Super Bowl. They can conduct a second interview with the candidate (team permission needed) in the week after the conference championship game.

The Rooney Rule
In place since 2003 for head coaches and expanded in 2009 to include general manager jobs and equivalent front-office positions, the rule — named after Dan Rooney, Pittsburgh Steelers chairman and onetime head of the league’s diversity committee — mandates that an NFL team must interview at least one minority candidate for these jobs.


NFL playoff schedule 2017

Saturday, Jan. 7 (Wild-card playoffs)
— TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: TBD | TV network: TBD
— TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: TBD | TV network: TBD

Sunday, Jan. 8 (Wild-card playoffs)
— TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: TBD | TV network: TBD
— TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: TBD | TV network: TBD

Saturday, Jan. 14 (Divisional playoffs)
— TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: TBD | TV network: TBD
— TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: TBD | TV network: TBD

Sunday, Jan. 15 (Divisional playoffs)
— TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: TBD | TV network: TBD
— TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: TBD | TV network: TBD

Sunday, Jan. 22 (Conference championships)
— NFC championship game: TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: 3 p.m. ET | TV network: FOX
— AFC championship game: TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: 6:40 p.m. ET | TV network: CBS

Super Bowl
Sunday, Feb. 5
— Super Bowl LI (Stadium in Houston): TBD vs. TBD | Kickoff time: 6:30 p.m. | TV network: FOX

Video at the link.
*************************
http://www.espn.com/blog/los-angele...obert-quinn-bring-joy-to-single-mother-of-six

Rams' Tavon Austin, Robert Quinn bring holiday joy to single mother of six
Alden Gonzalez/ESPN Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES -- Tavon Austin thought about his mother on Wednesday afternoon. He always does, but on this day it was different.

The Rams wide receiver was standing inside a four-bedroom apartment located in a neighborhood called Sun Valley, nestled in the northeast section of Los Angeles. Austin and teammate Robert Quinn had spent more than $20,000 from their own bank accounts to furnish this place for a single mother named Rebecca Carter, who had just been reunited with her six young children and was doing her best to put six years of periodic homelessness behind her.

Carter walked in, her eyes lit up, and Austin thought back to Baltimore, and Cathy Green, and all the odd jobs she worked to provide for four children, and the drive Austin felt to someday pay her back for it all.

"My mom was pretty young, and she did what she could do," Austin said. "We had six people in the house, so I know how this feels. It put the drive in me to get to where I want to today. That’s how I looked at it, that’s how I approached it and that’s how I took it. Hopefully one of them little boys in there take it the same way that I took it. 'I’m going to get Mommy out of here. I’m going to get us out of here.' That’s what I did."


The Rams' Tavon Austin and Robert Quinn watch as Rebecca Carter celebrates in her new home Wednesday. Austin and Quinn contributed $20,000 to furnish a home for Carter and her six children. Ric Tapia/Rams

It was Quinn, a sixth-year defensive end, who initially contacted the Rams' community-relations department because he wanted to go above and beyond for the holidays. So about 10 days ago, the Rams reached out to United Way of Greater Los Angeles, which then touched base with LA Family Housing, an organization that serves as something of a bridge from homelessness to permanent housing.

They told Quinn about Carter. About how she suffered through sexual assault, about the mental-health challenges it created, about homelessness forcing her to surrender custody of five kids, about how she was pregnant with a sixth child when she arrived at LA Family Housing, and about the resilience and determination she displayed while in the program.

"Once they told me the full story, and what she was going through, and how young the kids were, I just kind of took a step back and kind of put myself in their shoes," Quinn said. "If someone gave me an opportunity to restart, how appreciative would I be to them? I think it just starts with one person, one soul, one spirit. It starts there."

It started at about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, when Carter arrived at the door of her new apartment, which falls under Section 8 housing.

Carter was simply there for a walk-through of an empty facility, but instead she was met by Molly Higgins, the Rams vice president of community affairs and engagement. Higgins told Carter that Austin and Quinn were on the other side, and she screamed. She walked in with her children -- Dynah, 12, Erick, 11, Derrick, 9, Patrick, 8, Garrick, 7, and Ariel, 18 months -- and saw every single item on a wish list she filled out days ago.


Rebecca Carter and her six children, shown with the Rams' Tavon Austin and Robert Quinn, are living under one roof for the first time. Ric Tapia/Rams

In the kitchen was everything she could ever need, from a refrigerator to a crock pot to even a stand mixer. She turned the corner and saw a brand new dining table holding a gift basket. The rooms all had beds and the bathrooms were fully decorated. In the living room was a sectional couch and a coffee table. And in the corner was a Christmas tree with presents spilling out from underneath.

The kids got clothes, school supplies, toys and gaming systems. The four boys received bicycles. The oldest girl, Dynah, was gifted a tablet to help fulfill her dream of becoming a pediatrician. Mom received a laptop, printer, clothes and makeup. She wants to go back to school for cosmetology.

"A new beginning," Carter said of what all this represented. "A new start. No more worrying. No more stress. No more depression. It’s over. I’m with my family. We’re all together, and I’m happy."

Quinn and Austin saw the box for a 40-inch flat-screen TV in the living room and were not satisfied. As the commotion ensued, they drove to a local Target and purchased a 55-inch screen to go along with it. After the tour was finished, Austin reached into his pocket and pulled out tickets to Saturday's home game against the San Francisco 49ers.

"And the concession stand is kind of expensive," Quinn said, pulling out a stack of $100 bills, "so here's some cash to help you out."

Carter slept on buses, benches and parks before spending the past 10 months with LA Family Housing. Sometimes friends would welcome her into their home, but only for a night or two. Other times, on rare occasions, she met strangers who would lend a couch. The goal each day was merely to survive, to get a little bit closer to being reunited with her children and living a normal life.

"It's a nightmare," Carter said of being homeless. "It is truly a nightmare."

Los Angeles has long been deemed the unofficial "homeless capital" of the United States. Last month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released a report that gave L.A. the country's largest chronically homeless population for a second consecutive year. That number was nearly 13,000, with 95 percent of them living outdoors.


Rebecca Carter's six children -- Erick, Derrick, Patrick, Garrick, Dynah and Ariel -- also had presents under the tree in their new home. Alden Gonzalez/ESPN.com

"Housing prices have skyrocketed and people’s incomes have not met the same rise in rents or in other housing costs that we’ve seen," said Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, president and CEO of LA Family Housing. "Too many individuals are falling into homelessness, and what’s really devastating in Los Angeles is how long they stay homeless.

Our goal in LA Family Housing is to permanently end homelessness in people’s lives. To provide them the resources they need to move out of homelessness, into their own home, and most importantly to stay stable and successful once they move into their own home."

LA Family Housing has been around since 1983 and is now one of the largest comprehensive real-estate developers and homeless service providers in the city. Last year, they helped 6,429 individuals in the fight against homelessness and poverty. The Rams have partnered with several local charitable organizations since their return to L.A., but, as Higgins said, "We've gravitated a lot to homelessness just because it's such a serious issue."

In its 33-year existence, LA Family Housing has never seen a contribution like this, with an entire apartment fully furnished and packed with presents for a family of seven.

Wednesday marked the first night Carter slept under the same roof with all six of her kids, a moment she longed for "every single day."

The next morning, they woke up to everything they could have wanted.

"It was crazy seeing everything happen, and knowing that me and Rob made this happen," said Austin, who quickly decided to help Quinn fund the project. "It feels good. A lot of times, people don’t think that we’re out here doing stuff. But we are. I’m just glad I was a part of it."

This past season has been one to forget. But remember that it's only a game. And there is so much more to life. Spend time with family and and be around people you truly care about. Because one day it could be gone in the blink of an eye.

You guys are awesome. And I love you all. The Rams will bring us joy again one day and I hope you all will be here to witness it. Merry Christmas everyone!

I do not get some of the hate this kid receives from Rams fans. You see, I experienced Alex Smith, who threw ONE TD to ELEVEN interceptions his rookie season.

You guys think the sky is falling with Goff, imagine having non-functional Alex Smith. Man... Goff showed some skill yesterday. Skill in the pocket, and he was able to throw a few solid medium ranged passes. He's a rookie. There's no way around the growing pains of that. But my goodness he is miles beyond some other rookie QBs.

I think his future is bright. That's my two sense. Hopefully you guys won't be so hard on him given that he's just learning. He wasn't even in anything remotely resembling a pro offense in college. Give him time.

I missed the game yesterday, but saw a tweet where Robinson was a healthy scratch (yet again). Would someone care to give an analysis on the o-line play? Thank you in advance!

After yesterday's game, perhaps some cool picks of your gifts in a bonfire?

:sneak:

In all seriousness; share any cool gifts here...

:santa:

I'll start with this one:

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/NFLFilmStudy/status/812837799858733056

with a 15 yard catch Kenny Britt went over 1000 yards on the season

Yawn.....

Now that Mariota is toast, you think Titans will give us our picks back for Goff and we can start Mannion next season?

Yeah, right....

Assuming Jim Harbaugh, David Shaw and (thankfully) Chucky appear will not interview for the job.

I voted for Peyton. I think its as close as perfect you can get for us. Has the pedigree and track record we need badly. PERIOD. I don't care what the price is, look how fast the foreskins rebounded under Jay Gruden. Target the man and get the man. PERIOD

EDIT:

If for whatever reason we can't land Payton, then I think Kyle is the call. But again I can't stress enough give up a 3rd & 4rd broken up in differ years.. I don't think a higher pick we be needed under this situation I am guessing.

I believe him. @jrry32 @DaveFan'51 @Legatron4 @Dxmissile


http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-0604492461259103708-4

I'm just going to pose the question and not really build a case one way or another. Should this team be blown up, or with a new coaching staff and a couple of key pieces is this a playoff team?

:baghead::baghead::baghead::baghead::baghead::baghead:

For the first time in Colin Kaepernicks career he threw an interception against the Rams.

That is all.

Okay now you can move it to the proper thread.