[Elvis]

Not to be too cynical or a negative Nancy or anything but i just want to come out of there healthy and ready to make a run against WA, NO and NYG.

Of course if the Rams do win, whole different narrative, from scrappy team that might make the playoffs to a legitimate contender...

[ramsman34]

Not to be too cynical or a negative Nancy or anything but i just want to come out of there healthy and ready to make a run against WA, NO and NYG.

Of course if the Rams do win, whole different narrative, from scrappy team that might make the playoffs to a legitimate contender...

Exactly what I’m “huntin’ up” as coach would say. Mostly BC of what it will do inside the building, not just outside here in Fanville. They will truly BELIEVE they can beat anyone.

I did say somewhere that after the bye they would go on a 3 game win streak, lose to B more, go on another 3 game win streak, then the showdown with the whiners to get into the playoffs. Phase 1, complete. Beat B more and they are playing with a little bit of house money.

[ziggy]

McVay shouldn't coach to lose.

1) Need to contain Lamar. He does not leave the pocket.
2) Need edge contain-- if necessary, I'd sacrifice the secondary to get extra help on edge. Also spy on QB.
3) Need to start hot and fast. I'd start hot and try to play the game from an advantage, not behind.
4) Since I'm playing with house money, I'd be less conservative. Okay, so maybe I chance an INT on a 50/50 long ball-- I'd pull the trigger. Ok, maybe I give up field position or lose 3 for an early 4 down play, so what. I'd gamble like crazy.
5) I'd completely change the game plan if things aren't working by the half. How many times has McVay stubbornly held to his plan when things get wonky? Hell, I'd start Wentz just to shock the defense-- if we're blown by the half. (Hey it keeps MS healthy for the upcoming run, also, as others have noted!)

Maybe this is why I'm not an NFL coach, LOL...

[PARAM]

McVay shouldn't coach to lose.


3) Need to start hot and fast. I'd start hot and try to play the game from an advantage, not behind.
4) Since I'm playing with house money, I'd be less conservative. Okay, so maybe I chance an INT on a 50/50 long ball-- I'd pull the trigger. Ok, maybe I give up field position or lose 3 for an early 4 down play, so what. I'd gamble like crazy.
5) I'd completely change the game plan if things aren't working by the half. How many times has McVay stubbornly held to his plan when things get wonky? Hell, I'd start Wentz just to shock the defense-- if we're blown by the half. (Hey it keeps MS healthy for the upcoming run, also, as others have noted!)

Maybe this is why I'm not an NFL coach, LOL...

LOL!! No, it's reasonable thinking.

I was thinking about the fast start too. If we win the toss, take the ball? Zay Flowers is their big threat. And that fast young RB. I hope they put an emphasis on stopping the run because without Andrews, they are limited in the passing game.

[snackdaddy]

If we "only" have 9 wins, we're gonna need help. Losing tie breaker to Green Bay and most likely Minnesota based on common opponents. There is an unfortunate scenario where we end up with 9 wins and miss out. That would suck.

Minnesota is 6-3 in the conference. We are 4-4. If we win the 3 we can win and lose to the 49ers that would put us at 7-5. Minny has 3 conference games left. Two with Detroit and one with GB. With Dobbs regressing back to they way he played in Arizona its possible they lose all 3. They're also considering benching him. If they lost those final 3 thats 9 losses minimum. Providing they beat the Raiders and Bengals. Neither is a gimme.

Seattle has the next two games against the 49es and Philly. Lose those two and the best for them is 9-8. We have that tiebreaker if we go 9-8. Then again, what if SF clinches whatever they're gonna clinch by the last game. Odds are they sit most starters against us. So who knows?

[rams74]

Then again, what if SF clinches whatever they're gonna clinch by the last game. Odds are they sit most starters against us. So who knows?

Yeah, but that's a big if at this point. The Niners, Lions, and Cowboys are all tied at 9-3, with Philly only one game up (with SF holding the tiebreaker with Philly). It wouldn't be surprising if seeding at the top of the NFC goes to the last game.

[snackdaddy]

Yeah, but that's a big if at this point. The Niners, Lions, and Cowboys are all tied at 9-3, with Philly only one game up (with SF holding the tiebreaker with Philly). It wouldn't be surprising if seeding at the top of the NFC goes to the last game.

Yeah, SF would have to be a game ahead of both Philly and Dallas. They have the tiebreaker over both. Detroit is another thing. They don't play so the tiebreaker would be conference record.

SF has one conference loss. Detroit has two. If SF wins out they would own that tiebreaker. But Philly would have to have 2 more losses going into the final week. If SF needs a win to clinch top seed I don't see us winning that one.

[rams74]

If SF needs a win to clinch top seed I don't see us winning that one.

No, probably not. However, we've seen this sort of scenario before, where playing for top seed isn't as motivating for a team as another team that's fighting for a playoff spot at all.

Hard to know at this point what will be on the line for SF by kickoff time of the last game.

[PARAM]

Screw it!!! Let's just win out!!! We're in for sure then!!!

No, probably not. However, we've seen this sort of scenario before, where playing for top seed isn't as motivating for a team as another team that's fighting for a playoff spot at all.

Hard to know at this point what will be on the line for SF by kickoff time of the last game.

Let's look at the facts.

SF is good. Philly is good. Detroit is not as good but they have a favorable schedule.

Philly loses to Dallas, beats Seattle, the NYG and Arizona and go into the final week 13-3.
SF beats Seattle, Arizona, Baltimore and Washington and go into the final week 13-3. Even if they lose to Baltimore, and they're one game behind Philly who plays a weak NYG team, they still have to worry about Detroit taking the #2 seed. They play the Bears on the road, Denver in Detroit, @ the Vikings and @ Dallas. That last one may be a loss but what if it isn't and they go into the final week tied with SF? The niners aren't sitting anybody.

[ramsman34]

Yeah, but that's a big if at this point. The Niners, Lions, and Cowboys are all tied at 9-3, with Philly only one game up (with SF holding the tiebreaker with Philly). It wouldn't be surprising if seeding at the top of the NFC goes to the last game.

It wouldn’t be surprising if ALL seeding in the NFC isn’t decided until the last game. A tone of moving parts and teams in contention playing each other. Rams need to just keep finding ways to win. Winning in Bmore will be huge.