[ramsman34]

U. A. F.

But still a WIN.

Like I said in another post; weird team, weird season, weird ways to win.

[ramsman34]

So, there is a play (well quite a few) the Rams run repeatedly. The tunnel screen to Puka. They run it out of trips and with a short return motion - typically Kupp, and D Rob at the top of the triangle. Just once I’d like to see them sub Tutu in for Kupp on the return motion but have Nacua slice inside to pick off the inside Defender and have Tutu come out of the return motion into the tunnel. Then catch and explode. He would fucking score from almost anywhere as long as D Rob clears and Puka cuts off the nearest inside defender. Once Tutu gets to the 3rd level he would be gone.

[RedAlice]

U. A. F.

But still a WIN.

Like I said in another post; weird team, weird season, weird ways to win.

This is a weird ass season.

[Dare]

The last time Stafford threw the way he is now was when his tendonitis was flaring up. I don't think it's beyond possibility and that would account for his on again off again performances through the season. He could be keeping it from the team as I'm sure he's likely to do or they are keeping it strictly in house. But if true it simply highlights why IMO he's done after this season. The minute he lobbied for more guaranteed money the more I was sure he knows himself this is the end. Why would he insist upon more guaranteed money if he was confident he was going to play in 2025?

The only question is will they trade or pay for a vet like Darnold or draft a rookie? It's why I've always assumed that Jimmy G would be the bridge if they draft. I only hope Stafford physically holds out until he gets to lift another Lombardi in February.

Friends in Seattle say they are very confident after watching Stafford struggle with routine throws. If the Rams clinch this weekend with tie-breaker wins, do they rest Stafford against Seattle? If they do, it will confirm, IMO, that it's a tendonitis issue. IMO a healthy Jimmy is better than a struggling Stafford if he does have a health issue.

[Indrid Cold]

Tempted to go find a beating-a-dead-horse gif, but not worth the effort. But credit is due for adding more nonsense to the tiresome narrative. Tendonitis...Stafford hiding it...and will be proved if Stafford sits next week!

Stafford sucked tonight. Off as he has been all season, and the bomb off the scramble was a dumb decision. Lucky to get bailed out by an offsides. The Rams have got nothing downfield in quite a while. The pocket collapsed a fair amount tonight, and Stafford held the ball fairly often, which means no is open downfield. McVay seems to abandon pushing it downfield for the screens and short sideline outs, too. In several games. Tutu seems to be a guy that could help with this, but don't think they are going suddenly change after several years of limited snaps for him.

I think the Stafford is toast interpretation is weak, but I agree going into the playoffs having scored 12, 19, and 13 points with starters perhaps out next week is fooking bad and has my playoff confidence meter on the low end.

[Elvis]

[Elvis]

Stafford sucked tonight. Off as he has been all season, and the bomb off the scramble was a dumb decision. Lucky to get bailed out by an offsides. The Rams have got nothing downfield in quite a while. The pocket collapsed a fair amount tonight, and Stafford held the ball fairly often, which means no is open downfield. McVay seems to abandon pushing it downfield for the screens and short sideline outs, too. In several games. Tutu seems to be a guy that could help with this, but don't think they are going suddenly change after several years of limited snaps for him.

I think the Stafford is toast interpretation is weak, but I agree going into the playoffs having scored 12, 19, and 13 points with starters perhaps out next week is fooking bad and has my playoff confidence meter on the low end.

Not sure if the part about the bomb was sarcasm but i was at the game tonight and it was clear Stafford had a free play with the offsides penalty. So, seemed like a smart move to throw it up in case something good happened. (But maybe that's your point.)

Agree with you on the toast interpretation. Buffalo was 3 weeks ago. I don't think you go from top of your game to washed in 20 days.

I was inclined to blame SF on the rain, Jets on McVay being conservative because he thought the weather would be a problem and also thought they could win that way.

This game was inexplicable, not sure what to make of it.

The defense seems more vulnerable to me than the points allowed the last 3 weeks would otherwise indicate. I don't think it's sustainable to give up that many yards, that many long drives, that few punts and expect to not give up a lot of points.

They're gonna need a lot more offense. Can they? They could against Minnesota and Buffalo.

We know it's possible...

[/zn/]

Personally, I think this game was the reverse of the Bills game. The Bills did not take the Rams seriously enough but the Rams hit them full throttle. I think Arizona came in today to salvage their season, show some pride, and were ready to take it to the Rams. The Rams just never matched their intensity, except for the TD drive at the end of the 2nd quarter.

No signs of Robinson or Atwell tonight. It was all Nacua and Williams.

Also. I wonder what percentage of screens to Nacua actually work. It must be very low. I think defenses have that play figured out.

Though guess what. On defense? There's a stat called "NFL Team Opponent Red Zone Scoring Percentage (TD only)." At this moment the stats don't include today's game. But looking just at the last three games before this one, Rams rank 1st--with 28.57%.

My bet is that this game both maintains that ranking and makes the percentage even lower.

[Indrid Cold]

Not sure if the part about the bomb was sarcasm but i was at the game tonight and it was clear Stafford had a free play with the offsides penalty. So, seemed like a smart move to throw it up in case something good happened. (But maybe that's your point.)

Agree with you on the toast interpretation. Buffalo was 3 weeks ago. I don't think you go from top of your game to washed in 20 days.

I was inclined to blame SF on the rain, Jets on McVay being conservative because he thought the weather would be a problem and also thought they could win that way.

This game was inexplicable, not sure what to make of it.

The defense seems more vulnerable to me than the points allowed the last 3 weeks would otherwise indicate. I don't think it's sustainable to give up that many yards, that many long drives, that few punts and expect to not give up a lot of points.

They're gonna need a lot more offense. Can they? They could against Minnesota and Buffalo.

We know it's possible...

Ha, yeah a bad take by me...applying my perspective of the play on TV, not knowing there's a flag till after the fact.

I agree the D isn't anywhere near a shutdown unit. Bailed out tonight by a lot of AZ penalties, 2 Murray ghost sacks, and the ball bouncing of McBride's face mask. But they are good enough to win some playoff games.

I think it's highly probable we get the 2.5 wins tomorrow (BUF, MIN, and WAS) and we won't find out till the Wild Card round if the offensive crap fest is systematic or can be left in the past.

[actionjack]

So, there is a play (well quite a few) the Rams run repeatedly. The tunnel screen to Puka. They run it out of trips and with a short return motion - typically Kupp, and D Rob at the top of the triangle. Just once I’d like to see them sub Tutu in for Kupp on the return motion but have Nacua slice inside to pick off the inside Defender and have Tutu come out of the return motion into the tunnel. Then catch and explode. He would fucking score from almost anywhere as long as D Rob clears and Puka cuts off the nearest inside defender. Once Tutu gets to the 3rd level he would be gone.

More Tutu less Kupp yes!!!