We like Blowouts, and...

[Loyal]

We say we like it when the best players play, but do we?

Looking back at past wins and losses, few remember the context leading to those outcomes. If you happen to point out circumstances that led to those outcomes, excuse making is normally the charge. Including if key players were injured, which few remember or care about...Winning covers all of that.

Having said that, the incongruent beliefs about injuries of future opponents reveal themselves. We communicate our sympathy to the opposing player/team because we identify with those situations from our past experience. Yet, inwardly the idea of "just win, baby" comes to mind. I don't want anyone hurt playing a game, but I also don't want to see a transcendent player kicking our @ss on Sunday. So while we say all of the polite things.."It's a shame".."How horrible"...I am also cheering that our chances to win just improved when a guy like Watson won't be the QB for the Texans when we play them. This is related to the earlier question about liking to see Blowouts vs a Competitive game, which after the Cards game was answered pretty convincingly.:rockon:

Part of being a good team is the availability of starters throughout the regular season. Injuries happening to a team affects perceptions of what a team is years afterwards, through their win-loss record.

So the question is would you rather play a team at full strength, or would you really like the advantage of playing a weaker opponent and have an easier road (possibly) to the playoffs? (remember, it's just me an you talking..I won't tell anyone else at church...:sneak:

 

[RhodyRams]

To be the best, you have to beat the best

 

[Legatron4]

Fuck it, and only for this year. I want playoffs. Been 12 years. If we go 14-2 and get blown out 45-0 in the first round, I’ll take it. It’s been too long.

 

[BatteringRambo]

I think... if we went 14-2...Rams would qualify for a first round bye and possibly home field.

 

[Loyal]

To be the best, you have to beat the best

Even the "best" took advantage of teams weakened by injury....this is the collective amnesia we all share when giving the winning team that title of being "best."

 

[Akrasian]

I want the Rams to play great every week.

If they get lucky and face a depleted team occasionally, so be it. They have enough things going against them, both this season and in years past.

For instance, they had to give up a home game against a divisional foe to play in London.

Then instead of gaining a rest advantage with the bye after the international game, they have to travel across the country for an early game right after the time change, to play a team that also has had a bye. (and while the Giants suck this year, they were good last year when the schedules were set)

They have had a ton of injuries over the past 11 years too.

More power to the Rams, if they get an easy game or two due to suspensions, injuries, or whatever.

 

[Mikey Ram]

We say we like it when the best players play, but do we?

Looking back at past wins and losses, few remember the context leading to those outcomes. If you happen to point out circumstances that led to those outcomes, excuse making is normally the charge. Including if key players were injured, which few remember or care about...Winning covers all of that.

Having said that, the incongruent beliefs about injuries of future opponents reveal themselves. We communicate our sympathy to the opposing player/team because we identify with those situations from our past experience. Yet, inwardly the idea of "just win, baby" comes to mind. I don't want anyone hurt playing a game, but I also don't want to see a transcendent player kicking our @ss on Sunday. So while we say all of the polite things.."It's a shame".."How horrible"...I am also cheering that our chances to win just improved when a guy like Watson won't be the QB for the Texans when we play them. This is related to the earlier question about liking to see Blowouts vs a Competitive game, which after the Cards game was answered pretty convincingly.:rockon:

Part of being a good team is the availability of starters throughout the regular season. Injuries happening to a team affects perceptions of what a team is years afterwards, through their win-loss record.

So the question is would you rather play a team at full strength, or would you really like the advantage of playing a weaker opponent and have an easier road (possibly) to the playoffs? (remember, it's just me an you talking..I won't tell anyone else at church...:sneak:

So is any empathy I might express "just saying the right thing", because I might also say it does make it a more winnable game ??? Empathy and reality aren't mutually exclusive...

 

[leoram]

As others have said...all I want are wins. I don’t really care how we get them. 20 years from now nobody will be talking about who was injured or who had a lucky schedule. We will celebrate winning seasons and lament losing ones.

 

[Loyal]

So is any empathy I might express "just saying the right thing", because I might also say it does make it a more winnable game ??? Empathy and reality aren't muually exclusive...

I agree..So then in the sympathy thread for Watson's injury, if I had posted "Whew, I'm glad for his unavailability (notice I did not say his injury) so we have a better chance of a win." How many "different opinion" "Ouch" and maybe even "Inappropriate Comment" responses would I have gotten for saying it straight so soon after his injury?

 

[Loyal]

As others have said...all I want are wins. I don’t really care how we get them. 20 years from now nobody will be talking about who was injured or who had a lucky schedule. We will celebrate winning seasons and lament losing ones.

Well said and done with greater brevity.

 

[thirteen28]

While some empathy is warranted for some teams (e.g., the Texans, but not the Patriots, f--k them), I still want blowouts.

The '99 Rams played a relatively weak schedule and, most weeks, blew out their opposition. It was enjoyable to watch them run like a well-oiled machine, and even more enjoyable to watch them go into the locker room at halftime knowing that they already had the game in the bag. Furthermore, the weak regular season schedule didn't seem to matter - they won in the playoffis, including the Super Bowl.

A close, hard fought victory can certainly be very satisfying. But I'll never be dissatisfied with absolutely kicking the ever-loving sh-t out of an opponent on the way to a blowout victory, regardless of their state.

 

[Faceplant]

I want the Rams to play great every week.

If they get lucky and face a depleted team occasionally, so be it. They have enough things going against them, both this season and in years past.

For instance, they had to give up a home game against a divisional foe to play in London.

Then instead of gaining a rest advantage with the bye after the international game, they have to travel across the country for an early game right after the time change, to play a team that also has had a bye. (and while the Giants suck this year, they were good last year when the schedules were set)

They have had a ton of injuries over the past 11 years too.

More power to the Rams, if they get an easy game or two due to suspensions, injuries, or whatever.

This guy gets it.

 

[Ram_Rally]

I'll take the wins as they come

 

[99Balloons]

I prefer the Rams to play all out, all gas and no brakes type of attitude. Even if they lead by 33 or 50 points, it does not matter. On any given Sunday, any team can come back from a huge deficit and win it all. Ask the Atlanta Falcons what happened to the huge lead they had during the Super Bowl.

 

[Q729]

Fuck the best. The Pats have made their "legacy" off other teams being dumb asses coupled with dumb ass luck. We deserve that kind of shit.

 

[BeefJurky]

"To be the best you have to beat the best" ok first of all this is football not fucking Dragonball Z and I'm not Goku. I don't care how strong the opponent is, all I care about is winning. I don't care if they have to roll their QB out on a wheelchair I just want to see a W in the box score when it's all over with.

With the high variance of NFL games (aka "Any Given Sunday") give me the weaker teams.
This is a first year HC, and a rookie QB, a young rag tag team of misfits. I'll take the easiest fucking path to the playoffs I can get thank you very much!

 

[CGI_Ram]

Even if you get lucky along the way (injuries, easier schedule, bounce of the ball) it is very rare to make the playoffs without being at least “good”.

So; get me to the playoffs and I’ll take our chances. I don’t care how that happens.

Along that journey, we’ll get a feel for how realistic it will be to run the table there.

But to win, you have to have a ticket.

 

[RhodyRams]

guess I am in the minority here

funny how when all the talking heads were saying the Rams havent beaten any good teams yet (this is a few weeks ago) most here were up in arms

but moving on, I like wins as much as the next guy, but I dont want to make the playoffs and get knocked out wildcard weekend

give me the best you got, and may the better team win

 

[Loyal]

guess I am in the minority here

funny how when all the talking heads were saying the Rams havent beaten any good teams yet (this is a few weeks ago) most here were up in arms

but moving on, I like wins as much as the next guy, but I dont want to make the playoffs and get knocked out wildcard weekend

give me the best you got, and may the better team win

I get exhilarated by a strong win against a good/great team...but then, I am less tense and also thoroughly enjoy a blowout too, when we are on the winning side, of course!

That being said, whichever way it turns out each week is not connected to our wishes. Good game or blowout hopes are irrelevant really. We play the team put in front of us, and I truly believe we are a top 5 team in the league and can beat anyone. I prefer blowouts, as many of us do, because the opposite means we could easily lose a close match-up...which is what makes it exciting (mostly for NFL fans that want to be entertained) vs those of us that have heart conditions don't like it all !

 

[DaveFan'51]

I don't care how my Rams Win, as long as they Win! That said I love watching them Blow a Team Out! Back to back Shut-outs would be great right about now!! And a Hat-Trick!?! :wow: