Finally re-watched the Texan game...

[Rams43]

Gonna try to avoid re-hashing what’s already been amply covered...

Goff looked like a completely different QB in 2nd half. Nothing seemed to work for McVay/Goff until mid 2nd qtr. But 2nd half? Whoa! Everything they tried in the 3rd qtr was working.

Rams best hit the deck running early vs the Vikings. Or else...

A word about Clowney vs Hav. Early on it was all Clowney. But from late 2nd qtr on something happened and I don’t mean that they started giving Hav lots of help, either. Hav virtually neutralized Clowney from that point onward. Darned if I know how it was done, but it was dramatic. I mean, after the score got very lopsided I could see someone saying that Clowney packed it in, but this transformation occurred back when the Texans still led 7-6. I was damned proud of Hav, to tell you the truth. Check it out if you still have a recording.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but why does McVay keep up with the obligatory Tavon snaps? Five rushes for a net 2 yards? Trust me, the league has caught on. C’mon... [www.nfl.com]

Goff had a helluva game, obviously. But I thought he took at least 2 unnecessary sacks. Emphasis unnecessary. But that 3rd qtr was amazing, so it’s kinda easy to forgive him. Lol.

Savage was hit often and hit hard by our D. He probably slept in the whirlpool Sunday night. His confidence was shot by the mid-3rd qtr, I think, based on body language.

Rams D got 4 turnovers but it shoulda been 6. TruJo dropped a sure pick 6 and Tree was robbed of his by a bs call. Impressive huh? Wade is known for D’s that create turnovers. This one is certainly no different.

Love our DL rotation. Heck I love our entire front 7 both starters and backups. They’re always fresh and there is very little drop off, it seems. Ask Savage. Lol.

Quinn was not missed, was he? Who’d a thunk it?

I’m not as confident with Webster as I’d like to be. There, I said it.

I like having backups playing in the 4th qtr. Means we’ve got the game in the bag. But could I see a little more Everett and Reynolds, please? C’mon, Sean!

There is a synergy to our ST. What I mean is that the combo of good punt coverage, good PR, and Hekker’s punts combined with superb punt coverage leads to inevitable field possession wins. We are so spoiled by now. Combine all that with our scoring O and you have a recipe for leading the league in scoring. Oh wait!

Speaking of leading the league, GZ has quietly become a monster weapon. Mr Automatic, indeed! Helluva 6th round value, huh?

What was McVay thinking with the fake punt on 4th and long around our own 30? That maybe the Texans would never expect it? Damn! It wasn’t as if we were trailing with time running out and were desperate. About gave me a heart attack!

Did I mention that we better start off fast on both O and D vs the Vikings? I don’t want to waste this incredible momentum that has built up.

 

[fearsomefour]

Two of Clowneys big plays early came when the scheme had a WR (Kupp I think) blocking down on Clowney one on one and one with the TE blocking Clowney. Those are just total mismatches. Adjusting the scheme becomes pretty tough when a guy moves around.
Still, those guys had no chance against Clowney.

 

[Rambitious1]

Two of Clowneys big plays early came when the scheme had a WR (Kupp I think) blocking down on Clowney one on one and one with the TE blocking Clowney. Those are just total mismatches. Adjusting the scheme becomes pretty tough when a guy moves around.
Still, those guys had no chance against Clowney.

I saw that right away.
I yelled at my brother asking why they would do that.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Two of Clowneys big plays early came when the scheme had a WR (Kupp I think) blocking down on Clowney one on one and one with the TE blocking Clowney. Those are just total mismatches. Adjusting the scheme becomes pretty tough when a guy moves around.
Still, those guys had no chance against Clowney.

In the second half there were times that the TE was blocking Clowney and got the job done.

 

[OldSchool]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but why does McVay keep up with the obligatory Tavon snaps? Five rushes for a net 2 yards? Trust me, the league has caught on. C’mon...

One of the things I've seen also is multiple plays where the defense bites on a fake to Tavon and it opens up big plays even touchdowns. One example is the 2nd TD to Woods. They faked Woods in motion the LB and whole secondary bit on the fake. When he changes directions there isn't a single Texans defender outside the right hash mark making it an easy score. So while yes the plays themselves aren't always big gains the hand full of times we run it a game with the occasional 10+ yard successes set up more plays.

 

[HeiseNBerg]

I’m not as confident with Webster as I’d like to be. There, I said it.

Agreed. Wade Phillips obviously sees something in Webster. Just wish I could see it too.

I like having backups playing in the 4th qtr. Means we’ve got the game in the bag. But could I see a little more Everett and Reynolds, please? C’mon, Sean!

With you on this point, as well. And seeing how Everett gets yards by the chunk, no need to wait til the 4th qtr to get him involved.

 

[den-the-coach]

Great post @Rams43 and I do believe Tavon is important to the offense to give the defense something else to think about another player might not concern a defense. Some posted that Havenstein started hitting Clowney in the shoulder right from the outset after the 1st quarter, kind of a quick punch if you will to control his penetration and that help offset the early success.

Quite frankly I'm betting on Austin to have a big game against the Vikings, but I would like to see them pass more to him, faking the jet sweep and then come back to him down the sideline on a wheel route, but what do I know?

 

[wmc540]

It's mind boggling how people don't see the impact of Tavon's ghost motions. There is no impact if he doesn't ever get the ball. Defense guessed right on those plays, but wrong on other passes and Gurley runs...

 

[Ram65]

Hav virtually neutralized Clowney from that point onward. Darned if I know how it was done, but it was dramatic.

A word about Clowney vs Hav. Early on it was all Clowney. But from late 2nd qtr on something happened and I don’t mean that they started giving Hav lots of help, either. Hav virtually neutralized Clowney from that point onward. Darned if I know how it was done, but it was dramatic.

Clowney got tired. Joe Curley on the Jake Ellenbogen's podcast saw it.Hands on hips.

Goff had a helluva game, obviously. But I thought he took at least 2 unnecessary sacks. Emphasis unnecessary. But that 3rd qtr was amazing, so it’s kinda easy to forgive him. Lol.

He was sacked three time. One was Clowney and had no choice. One was scrambling right looking down field and LBer caught him . Not sure off #3. I'll take the sacks and not forcing passes for INTS.

 

[bubbaramfan]

You guys aren't the only ones who think Webster is a liability.

 

[jetplt67]

It's mind boggling how people don't see the impact of Tavon's ghost motions. There is no impact if he doesn't ever get the ball. Defense guessed right on those plays, but wrong on other passes and Gurley runs...

I think he is talking about the straight handoffs to Austin, not the motion and jet sweep stuff. The handoffs to him up the middle are a waste of time and hopefully will stop.

 

[Psycho_X]

There is a synergy to our ST. What I mean is that the combo of good punt coverage, good PR, and Hekker’s punts combined with superb punt coverage leads to inevitable field possession wins. We are so spoiled by now. Combine all that with our scoring O and you have a recipe for leading the league in scoring. Oh wait!

It always killed me watching Hekker and the punt teams nail every damn punt and the other team always being pinned in the 20... always winning the field distance game... and never having an offense to take advantage. This team is the most complete team in the league from top to bottom right now. We have some soft spots here and there but all three phases are in sync now. It's going to be a fun playoff run.

 

[Deac]

One thing I noticed in the first half, we had several rollouts to the right, to Clowneys side. Goff is good rolling out on that side, and seeing as how Wilson was successful doing this in the Hawks game vs Texans, this may have been an area we were trying to exploit. Unfortunately for us, Goff is athletic but not a scrambler and we were getting tore up with these plays. When we stopped trying to do these rollouts to Clowneys side and Havs taking care of business, we started to move the ball.

 

[fearsomefour]

One of the things I've seen also is multiple plays where the defense bites on a fake to Tavon and it opens up big plays even touchdowns. One example is the 2nd TD to Woods. They faked Woods in motion the LB and whole secondary bit on the fake. When he changes directions there isn't a single Texans defender outside the right hash mark making it an easy score. So while yes the plays themselves aren't always big gains the hand full of times we run it a game with the occasional 10+ yard successes set up more plays.

Every week someone has to keep making this point. Not all elements of the game are reflected in the stat sheet.

 

[fearsomefour]

Great post @Rams43 and I do believe Tavon is important to the offense to give the defense something else to think about another player might not concern a defense. Some posted that Havenstein started hitting Clowney in the shoulder right from the outset after the 1st quarter, kind of a quick punch if you will to control his penetration and that help offset the early success.

Quite frankly I'm betting on Austin to have a big game against the Vikings, but I would like to see them pass more to him, faking the jet sweep and then come back to him down the sideline on a wheel route, but what do I know?

Been waiting on that sort of play to Austin all year too.

 

[fearsomefour]

In the second half there were times that the TE was blocking Clowney and got the job done.

Ok, and.....

 

[ljramsfan]

You guys aren't the only ones who think Webster is a liability.

I honestly think he is here to help the secondary learn the D. His may be expendable or just a great backup to have for the 2018 season.

 

[Ramstien]

I believe all the plays that Austin is used on would be just as effective using either Cooper or Dunbar.

 

[SteezyEndo]

I believe all the plays that Austin is used on would be just as effective using either Cooper or Dunbar.

I think TA would be more of a better use inside the RZ. If they use jet sweeps beyond that Dunbar or Cooper could be more useful because they have better vision and running abilities for long range.

 

[RamsSince1969]

It's mind boggling how people don't see the impact of Tavon's ghost motions. There is no impact if he doesn't ever get the ball. Defense guessed right on those plays, but wrong on other passes and Gurley runs...

I was thinking the same thing. Gotta give it to him so the other 5 fakes to him work. But, as said before, the other teams are ready for it now and rarely gain a yard on those sweeps.