If you get the Athletic, Jourdan’s latest is fantastic.

I think, as Rams fans, we’re kinda lucky to have her covering the team right now because she’s really in-tune with McVay.

I also think you’ll feel better about McVay sticking around a few years.

Offense


Defense


ST

As a Rams fan who did NOT think we would be competitive this year (i.e., a dead cap year), I am pleasantly surprised by how good we have been. However, our success begs the question...

The Ravens pose another test for the Rams as they not only have a good defense but a much better offense. Jackson's mobility is a major concern as the Rams struggle against mobile QBs. Jackson can and does play from the pocket. Early in his career Jackson was strictly an RPO QB but that has been changing over the years.

Defensively, the Ravens are well balanced against the run and pass. That said they can be run against so McVay's commitment to the run will be tested. Williams is the kind of RB that can give the Ravens trouble. The Rams must capitalize on scoring opportunities, i.e. take the points when you can and do not chase them. Stafford must play a clean game, i.e. no turnovers. He's good enough to beat the Raven defense if the Rams can also run the ball. A balanced offense can beat the Ravens.

Defensively, for the Rams, the key will be to play contain. This is where Donald and Turner can be the key. Play contain with the edges and pressure Jackson up the middle while containing him on the edges. Force Jackson to make quick decisions and play that way from the pocket. That is his weakness. Morris can't play soft. Jackson will eat up soft schemes.

Offensively the Ravens are very similar to the Rams in terms of tendencies and effectiveness. They run and pass slightly better than the Rams but it's hard to tell considering the competition they have played, i.e. their schedule has been far softer. I think the Rams will be a real test for them as well. The Rams will play with confidence, and the Ram offense if they can be balanced will be a challenge for their defense.

Justin Madubike is their DE. His game is power more than speed. That should play to Jackson's strength where he struggles with speed. Clowney plays opposite edge, i.e. on the strongside. He offers both power and speed and will be a challenge for Havenstein if not given a chip assist. If Puka can play and Kupp continues to improve his health I like the Ram's matchup with the Raven defense. If there is going to be a mismatch it will be their offense against the Ram D.

The Raven offense is much better than the Brown offense. I don't see them turning the ball over or other gifts. IMO the game will be won or lost on defense for the Rams. The Rams will probably have to score 35 pts to have a chance to win. I'm anticipating an outright shootout offensive game.

The bottom line is the Rams can win if they can run well enough to control the TOP to limit the Raven's scoring opportunities, so yeah the Rams definitely have a chance in this game. If the Rams can play the Niners tough then this is a similar type of game.

IMO if the Rams can beat the Ravens they have a real shot to finish 10-7 or even run the table and finish 11-6. The two biggest challenges remaining on the schedule are the Ravens and Niners. This season has gotten really interesting!

Garrett wasn’t 100%…
But they didn’t give up a sack and ran the ball effectively.

Would love to hear your takes.

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Stellar draft class but as we've mentioned on here, he does not get enough credit for what he does in pro personnel. Royce isn't even included in this list.

I will start on a positive note.... I thought the team played great today overall. Getting the INT in the 4th QTR was what this defense has been missing,
I spend a lot of time on social media during the game defending the D-coordinator from people wanting him fired after the first series of each game. The Rams have been giving up approx 20 points per game and today they gave up 19. Even though they couldn't get to Flacco through the first 3 QTR's, they caused enough incomplete passes to turn the game around. Through the first 10 games, the Rams were last in pass break ups and now have the most pass break-ups in the last 2 games.
On to the main subject. I saw some inconsistency in Ernest Jones over the past month on some plays and decided to watch a little closer. Today his play was atrocious. ON the first Browns drive, 1st down....the running came out of back field and about 5 yards up filed. HW caught the ball in front of Jones and managed run around him and gain an additional 8 yards. Then, the play before the TD, they ran the ball which looked to be designed to the A gap on the left, the BAck cut back right and got about 6 yards with B. Young chasing him down. Jones chose to fill the supposed gap on the left side, but Rosenboom was already there ; they ended up about 5 feet from each other and then Jones got blocked by one of the O-linemen. Young may be responsible for any back side cuts, but he is getting blocked from the start of play, Jones is not. Next play, Flacco rolls to the right and throws back the to RB for a TD. Jones just stood in the middle of the field watching the play happen.
This may not have been his responsibility, but on the Browns TD in the second half, the throw to the TE who crossed from the right to the left, the defender in the picture trailing the play is Jones.
The Stat sheet shows that he lead the team in tackles, but I have never seen such an average performance from one of our supposed leaders and best players.
Did anyone else see this? Or, do I need to lay off the Fudge brownies during the game?

1. Time for people to start taking notice of our Rams!!!!

2. Let's start with my offensive MVP of the week: Matthew Stafford. 279 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs and a 110.1 QB rating is just part of the story. Consider this... going into this game, the Browns were allowing 142.0 passing yards per game, had allowed only 10 TD passes in 11 games, and had a passer rating allowed number of 73.2. Staford put up great numbers against a stellar pass defense.

3. You have to give the offensive line a lot of credit. Stafford felt some pressure (which he handled well), but the Browns finished with 0 sacks and only 2 QB hits.

4. Part of that success was due to some very good play calling. McVay dialed up some great solutions, catching the Browns off guard several times, and utilizing the RBs and WRs to pick up key blocks.

5. Huge honorable mention to Puka "Willis Reed" Nacua! After tearing up the Browns for 105 yards, he came back from a scary fall (guessing his ribs will keep him off the practice field most this week) to throw a great lead block and contribute 34 yards rushing on 2 carries (despite a big run being called back on a holding penalty). First Ram to have 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie. What more can you say about this guy? Steal of the draft (guess you can say that!).

6. Kyren Williams had another excellent game (88 yards rushing, 1 TD, 24 yards receiving). He is such a key part of this offense (making Cam Akers more of an afterthought than FSU at an NCAA Playoff selection meeting).

7. Cooper Kupp is clearly not playing at 100%, but he made two big plays on the key drive that extended the lead to 27-19. I guess, at this point, he's just going to play through his ailments. I pity the team that overlooks him when he's feeling better.

8. Loved the contribution (apart from the holding penalty on Puka's run - a bit ticky-tack and a flop by the defender but, technically, a penalty) from Demarcus Robinson.

9. Moving on to the defense, my MVP of the week is John Johnson III. His interception (and nice return) was a huge play that helped turn a very close game into a blowout win. He's really found a nice role in recent weeks.

10. "Gee... maybe AvengerRam had a point about that first drive defense."

11. The pass rush was, well... not very good today. I think some of it was by design, as the Rams seemed to be using a lot of dime coverage and daring Joe Flacco to beat them. Still, you'd want to see more hits on a guy like that.

12. Flacco had a nice game (and shows why you should never rely on a guy like Brett Rypien to start a game), but I felt pretty confident that, if it came down to him vs. Stafford to make plays down the stretch, we'd end up on top.

13. Ethan Evans has a leg! Havrisik (Have Risk, Makes us Sick?)... let's just say I'm far from sold.

14. As most probably are aware, if the Chiefs beat the Packers, the Rams will end the week in a playoff spot!

15. I've seen on line that a lot of companies that sell apology cards and premium crow cutlets are having big sales right now with free shipping. Just thought I'd mention that to anyone who completely wrote the Rams off at the start of the season and suggested we should tank!

16. My favorite quote of the offseason came from Aaron Donald: "just give me guys who care." So many of our young guys fit that mold, and none more so than Kobie Turner. You can just feel his joy through the screen (even if his sack dance is a bit long!).

17. I know a lot of people have pegged next week's game at Baltimore as a likely loss. That's understandable, as the Ravens are 9-3 and tough at home. I'll say this, though... if the Rams play up to their capabilities, they CAN win that game.

18. Tyler Higbee reportedly was evaluated for a concussion. Was I the only one who thought it was his hand/wrist (which he's had issues with)?

19. Its December, and the Rams are highly relevant. Given where we were a year ago (3-9 with several key guys on IR), you've got to love how (warts and all) this season is going!

20. Once again... KEEP IT GOING!!!

3 in a row bitches!!!!!!

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Alright fellers, I need ideas for today and ya'll always come correct.

Whatcha grubbin' on?

Sunday December 03, 2023

Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Rams: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox​

Game Day Thread

The GDT is a live thread tradition here at ROD.

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

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

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

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

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

Go Rams!

———

ROD Chat Room;

Game Day Room

.

Sunday Night Football - December 3, 2023

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook:

NFL Week 13 - Sunday December 3, 2023

THE LATE GAMES
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Rams: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

THE EARLY GAMES
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints: 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox
Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets: 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox
Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commodes: 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox
Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

SNF
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock

Monday December 4, 2023

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

———

ALREADY PLAYED

Thursday November 30, 2023

Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys: 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video

NFL Week 13 - Sunday December 3, 2023

THE EARLY GAMES
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints: 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox
Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets: 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox
Arizona Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commodes: 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox
Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans: 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

THE LATE GAMES
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Rams: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

SNF
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock

Monday December 4, 2023

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

———

ALREADY PLAYED

Thursday November 30, 2023

Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys: 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video

Anybody got a guess as to what kind of comp picks we might get this year?

Quick, name three players from the Los Angeles Rams defense besides Aaron Donald.

OK, name two.

Raheem Morris knows. Coordinating a defense that features the ultimate centerpiece in Donald, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year with a knack for blowing up schemes with a single bull rush, is quite the bonus.

Yet what Morris has managed to achieve with a progressive unit that contains so many no-name and relatively cheap supporting cast members is among the key reasons the Rams (5-6) have played their way into the NFC playoff chase.

As Los Angeles prepares to host the Cleveland Browns and emergency quarterback Joe Flacco on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, its defense ranks 16th in the NFL for yards allowed and points allowed. Middle-of-the-pack stuff. And better.

It’s more impressive, though, when considering the Rams defense – which handled Kyler Murray and Geno Smith the past two weekends – ranks dead-last, 32nd in the league, for salary cap dollars spent on the defense. According to Spotrac, this amounts to $48.4 million – which includes Donald’s team-high $26 million cap figure.

In other words, Morris and Co. have been so resourceful in getting bang for the buck from their young defense. After Donald’s big number, the next-highest cap figure for a Rams defender, safety Jordan Fuller, is $2.8 million.



Morris gets a lot of credit for making shrewd in-game adjustments, especially lately. Yet he was quick this week to talk up the behind-the-scenes work from his players. Here’s one way it has apparently shown up: The Rams have led the league in pass breakups the past two weeks after ranking last through 11 weeks.

He put names on the faces of players (Derion Kendrick, Ahkello Witherspoon, Quentin Lake, Russ Yeast, Cobie Durant) while making the point about work ethic. Yet there is little doubt that Morris’ fingerprints have pushed the right buttons.

Ask Rams coach Sean McVay. The two first worked together in 2012 while on Mike Shanahan’s staff with Washington, when McVay coached tight ends and Morris landed as defensive backs coach following a three-year stint as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coach.

“We always talk about trying to help guys reach and realize their highest potential,” McVay said this week. “I think we’re seeing a lot of growth and development from a lot of people that he has an influence on and it certainly isn’t exclusive to just the defense. Raheem influences this whole building.”

That’s a strong endorsement for Morris’ viability as a candidate in the upcoming hiring cycle. Another one has come from Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who coached with Morris as assistants with the Bucs in the early 2000s. Tomlin has said that Morris – who has interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs in recent years – is the best coach in the league without a head-coaching job.

Experience should help his cause. Morris, 47, was 32 when he landed the Bucs job. Since then, he bolstered credentials as such: He worked as an assistant on offense with the Atlanta Falcons, plus had a stint as interim head coach. After reuniting with McVay in 2021, he coordinated a Super Bowl-winning unit.

They broke up the big-name defense that the Rams won the Super Bowl with, as star players such as Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey and Leonard Floyd were too expensive to keep in addition to Donald. Yet Morris has shown that he can still build a reputable unit, even on the cheap.

Now that’s resourceful.

Close enough...

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*** On ABC at 8pm EST ***

This game feels like it's gonna be a real barn burner boy. Figured I'd put this up here since a lot of folks will be tuned in.

Mods if it needs to be moved by all means and call me a dumbass. Just seems like a lot of folks don't look in the draft area.

There is a fact about this team that I did not know. about this team before today. Until the Rams beat the Redskins in the playoffs in 1974, they hadn't won a playoff game since 1951. I wonder if @den-the-coach knew this?

We had a really good offensive line where the least experienced guy had 7 years of experience.

James Harris was a mobile QB who could throw and make plays.

Lawrence McCutcheon ran for the most yards in Rams history. up to that point. Bertelson and Cullen Bryant were his back ups.

Of course we had a great defense.... Talk about it, Den you old buzzard!

Saw this thread on twitter and was blown away but not surprised by this. Eventually we'll be able to just have the football field on our floor or wherever like we're watching it in a stadium I think. Also, VR becoming more prominent being able to watch a football game like you're in the stadium. Of course, this will lead to some pretty amazing stuff for video games as well. Excited for this technology to advance more.

Talk about all-22enhanced.

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Interesting article in The Athletic that discusses this index that essentially shows how much D and ST support QB's are getting (or had in their careers).

No surprise that Brady had some of the best D/ST support throughout his career, the prick.

Here's how our QB and D/ST is ranked so far this season according to the index. I would post the article, but it is paywalled as you all know....

Thursday Night Football - November 30, 2023

Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys: 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook:

This is a screen shot from College Football News. If you're really into offense, I guess Denver at Houston is the game you should watch. If you're a gambler, I'd take the under. Just a hunch.