[PARAM]

It's been said before, being able to run in the red zone helps immensily. Tie that to a desire to run in the red zone. The field is compressed. An ability/desire to run significantly negates that compression. What do you defend, run or pass? During our year long red zone woes, how many times did we run? I don't know but I'd bet not as much as we passed. Maybe not even close.

[ramsww]

Post mortem will reveal that the Rams lack of play calling and execution in the red zone was the death of the Rams 2023 season.

Sorry to respectfully disagree. Even though it was in the top 3 the biggest reason was allowing 3 straight TD drives to open a playoff game on the road. Defense or lack of in the first half was our downfall.

[ramsman34]

Sorry to respectfully disagree. Even though it was in the top 3 the biggest reason was allowing 3 straight TD drives to open a playoff game on the road. Defense or lack of in the first half was our downfall.

Make any one of the 3 redzone trips a TD and we win. Make the early ones and it changes what the Lions do offensively. I do agree those TDs made it more difficult. But the Rams answered and drove to the end zone more often than Detroit. Also, the defense shut them down in the second half.

Both contributed heavily. But the D answered. The O, didn’t.

[PARAM]

Make any one of the 3 redzone trips a TD and we win. Make the early ones and it changes what the Lions do offensively. I do agree those TDs made it more difficult. But the Rams answered and drove to the end zone more often than Detroit. Also, the defense shut them down in the second half.

Both contributed heavily. But the D answered. The O, didn’t.

Yeah, the D was not the problem. Morris has been making second half adjustments all season. It was a 4 point game at the half with the RZ failures. They scored 3 points but we only managed 6. The 'L' can be completely layed at the feet of the offense. And that's the way it's been all season, with rare exception.....particularly in the RZ.

The proper order of problems with respect to units?

Special teams
Offense
Defense

[ramsman34]

It’s game by game but, red zone TDs were an issue when they needed them the most. Especially in the last game.

Or, complementary football wasn’t played consistently enough. The team needs to get to a point where one area can bail out another. And STs have to improve dramatically no matter what.

[Elvis]

Don't think this has to be an either/or situation.

Defense was terrible in the first half and when McVay decided to trust them and punt the ball at the end of the game, Detroit was able to run out the clock.

Offense was great, 425 yards, 7.7 per play but sure could've used more points.

Close game, a lot of things mattered...

[ramsww]

Yeah, the D was not the problem. Morris has been making second half adjustments all season. It was a 4 point game at the half with the RZ failures. They scored 3 points but we only managed 6. The 'L' can be completely layed at the feet of the offense. And that's the way it's been all season, with rare exception.....particularly in the RZ.

The proper order of problems with respect to units?

Special teams
Offense
Defense

You’re welcome to your opinions and that’s just what they are. Opinions. When you open up ANY playoff game giving up 3 straight TDs you’ve created a mountain to climb. The converse? One stop or turnover on any one of those first 3 Detroit drives and we win. Skew the scenarios any way that makes you happy.

[ramsww]

I would add, this is not a knock on Morris. I’ve said before, he did as well as any DC could do this year with all the youth but he really wasn’t that much better with Ramsey & Co. I like him, he may make a great HC. I can’t say but as much as I know Wink would likely be a bad chemistry match I’d like to see a more aggressive DC, bump & run, blitz packages. You need the talent and hopefully in 2024 we’ll have it. Not to let McVay off the hook. As I said, red zone, ST, and big plays let up by the D, problems all year. And that’s my opinion.

[PARAM]

You’re welcome to your opinions and that’s just what they are. Opinions. When you open up ANY playoff game giving up 3 straight TDs you’ve created a mountain to climb. The converse? One stop or turnover on any one of those first 3 Detroit drives and we win. Skew the scenarios any way that makes you happy.

Wow, thanks.

You say the defense created "a mountain to climb". Okay. So the offense climbed that mountain, scoring 17 points in the first half. That's a 4 point game at the half. Mountain? Come on man!! The defense allowed 3 points in the 2nd half and the offense couldn't put the ball in the end zone, despite being at the Detroit 9 and 11 on two possessions. Score 7 on either of them and it's a win. A 1st and 10 at the Detroit 11 and a 1st and 10 at the Detroit 13. That mountain you speak of was 11 yards and 13 yards. And you know what? They couldn't even get a first down on either.

It's not like it was 21-0!!

[ramsww]

Wow, thanks.

You say the defense created "a mountain to climb". Okay. So the offense climbed that mountain, scoring 17 points in the first half. That's a 4 point game at the half. Mountain? Come on man!! The defense allowed 3 points in the 2nd half and the offense couldn't put the ball in the end zone, despite being at the Detroit 9 and 11 on two possessions. Score 7 on either of them and it's a win. A 1st and 10 at the Detroit 11 and a 1st and 10 at the Detroit 13. That mountain you speak of was 11 yards and 13 yards. And you know what? They couldn't even get a first down on either.

It's not like it was 21-0!!

You’re great with stats. Feel free to show me how many teams started out giving up 3 straight TD drives in a PLAYOFF game and ended up winning. I’ll wait….