[AvengerRam]

Here are some number for you:

Goff's per game stats:

Games in which Gurley had 15 or more carries (6 games):
34.3 attempts
22.5 completions
65.6 completion %
306 yards
8.9 yards/attempt
1.2 TDs
0.7 INTs
97.7 passer rating
.7 sacks

Games in which Gurley had 14 or fewer carries (7 games):
39.7 attempts
24.3 completions
61.2 completion %
268 yards
6.8 yards/attempt
1.1 TDs
1.4 INTs
75.8 passer rating
2.1 sacks

So, in this case, conventional wisdom and intuition really match up with the data. When the Rams lean more on Gurley and take the pressure off the passing game (and make the threat of play action more credible), Goff's performance is much better.

At this point, there should be no holding back. Ride Gurley and let Goff take us back to the playoffs.

[BobCarl]

At this point, there should be no holding back. Ride Gurley and let Goff take us back to the playoffs.

Vikings lost to Greenbay once already ... so chances are good they lose again.

But we need the Rams to defeat the 9ers and also win their other two games.

Where would that leave us in the tie-breaker?

[Haden]

Vikings lost to Greenbay once already ... so chances are good they lose again.

But we need the Rams to defeat the 9ers and also win their other two games.

Where would that leave us in the tie-breaker?

If Rams and Vikings have the same record, Rams win the tiebreaker based on better conference record.

[BobCarl]

If Rams and Vikings have the same record, Rams win the tiebreaker based on better conference record.

Thank you for looking that up. Music to the ears of us Rams-Fans.

[aeneas1]

the rams faced a lot of less than stellar defenses in the games gurley had 15+ carries, in fact only 1 of the 6 defenses faced currently ranks in the top half of the league in offensive points allowed, and against that 1 defense (chi) gurley had his most carries of the season yet goff posted a lowly 69.9 qb rating and threw for just 173 yards.

moreover against a lot of these less than stellar defenses gurley was able to pad his carries given the rams took big leads and were then able to run the ball a lot (sea, ari, atl, nor), as a team the rams averaged 30 carries a game in those outings vs just 21 per game when gurley didn't have 15+ carries.

anyway, all of that said, i'm with you, make gurley a focal point of the offense again for crying out loud, especially given the very mixed signals on this "management" stuff, play the guy, run the guy, throw to the guy.

[BobCarl]

....in the games gurley had 15+ carries

what is the W-L in the two scenarios?

[aeneas1]

what is the W-L in the two scenarios?

what you would expect from a team that was able to book a lot of carries on the day, which more often than not means they ran the ball late to protect leads while the bad guys threw it a lot late in an effort to catch up.... in the rams case they're 6-1 hen gurley has 15+ carries (games in which their backs combined for 31 carries a game), and 3-4 when gurley has less than 15 carries (games in which their backs combined for 21 carries a game).

[BobCarl]

in the rams case they're 6-1 hen gurley has 15+ carries (games in which their backs combined for 31 carries a game), and 3-4 when gurley has less than 15 carries (games in which their backs combined for 21 carries a game).

proof in the pudding, you made a convincing post.

... with the last few games and the playoffs on the line, McVay would be an idiot if he didn't utilize Gurley accordingly

[aeneas1]

proof in the pudding, you made a convincing post.

... with the last few games and the playoffs on the line, McVay would be an idiot if he didn't utilize Gurley accordingly

if the rams have to play catch up late they're not going to ride gurley (or any back), they're going to throw the ball, such is life in the nfl.

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

If the Rams stay hot, win the next three and make the play-offs we will return to the NFL Championship game.