[Dare]

People know I have my issues with Matt, but it has been about his physical issues. But in the playoffs this is where his experience shines.

We saw in 2021 give him a sniff of a Lombardi and he becomes another player. He's more determined and focused. IMO this year Matt can see this team is good enough to go the distance. This could be his last opportunity to get his second ring.

I think he saw before the season that the 2025 season was not guaranteed to having him as the starter here which is why he made the issue about guaranteed money. My point isn't to revisit that but to point out we saw in the 2021 season how he steps up his game. The Vikings are hugely outmatched at the position. This is especially true now he has his full stable of WRs at hand. IMO other teams in the playoffs might have one or two standouts at WR but only the Rams have Kupp, Nacua, Robinson, Whittington, Atwell, and Smith. The first 4 bring power and versatility and the final two bring game breaking speed. As a group they are the best in the NFL. Hell Stafford won a Super Bowl with only one healthy WR. How many QBs can do that?

As long as Williams can stay healthy Stafford will have an excellent RB beside him. He will have his full starting OL in front of him. Flores will have to blitz to beat that OL on passing down and he knows it. But as we saw a few weeks ago it exposed matchup issues in his secondary. I'm expecting Flores to dig deep into his bag of tricks this time to throw Stafford off.

But in the playoffs Stafford is a beast in hunt for nothing less than a championship. The one thing we can expect from Matt is that he will lay it all on the line to win. That is exactly what you want for your team leader. It's why even before the season began I could see this team was talented enough to make the playoffs. When they did they had the QB to win it all. It's why I've always contended this was a legit SB run year.

[max]

I haven’t looked closely at the stats, but from what I’ve seen, we are not an explosive offense. What’s Williams longest play from scrimmage, run or catch? And we really don’t have a guy who scares people deep. Who do we have with 4.4 or less speed? Atwell? He gets bumped so easily, and has zero elusiveness.

This is a plodding chain moving offense, not a quick strike one like other teams.

Stafford probably has one more year left, and I agree this may be his last shot at another Lombardi.

I think we can beat the Vikings and I’m hoping for some good karma from the refs. I’m taking a wait and see view after that.

We’re gonna need a QB very soon. I’m hoping McVay stays around to draft one.

[FMulder]

We’re gonna need a QB very soon. I’m hoping McVay stays around to draft one.

This is one of my 3 “issues” with McSnead:

They’ve completely ignored the QB position via the draft until Stetson. There is no way they drafted him to be the heir apparent. They are hoping he becomes a solid/ serviceable Back up. They signed Jimmy G because he was at a good price and they knew they were getting a solid backup QB for a year while they evaluated if Stetson got his non-football issues resolved, and progressed the way they hoped/wanted.

Prior to the Stetson draft they literally had Zero backups. Guys like Wolford and Rypien could not start in half the top college programs.

I wonder if McVay has the patience to develop a QB drafted with the idea of becoming an eventual #1. Try to mold him. However, I think instead they will go out and overspend, to get a safer vet QB who they know what is capable, and maybe hope MV can squeeze a bit more production out of him through his offensive scheme and tutelage.

I don’t know who that could be at this juncture.

I would love for them to draft a QB who they can develop with the idea of eventually becoming a starter. Who knows

My second issue is the lack of a deep WR threat. These guys don’t have to be Kupp quality route runners per se, but do need to have the vertical speed to take the top off of offenses once in a while, or at least offer the threat. These guys are critical for huge chunk plays, huge PI calls, and the ability to open up the mid-range stuff that Puka (and maybe still Kupp) excel at. I’m not a big Robinson guy, at least at the 3rd WR position.

Finally, in the same vein as the WR position, I wish they had either a scat-back RB in their stable, or someone with breakaway speed. Again, not saying he has to be getting a lot of snaps, but to put someone in that can at least threaten an explosive play or two. Someone with a diff skill set

[Indrid Cold]

I haven’t looked closely at the stats, but from what I’ve seen, we are not an explosive offense.

This is a plodding chain moving offense, not a quick strike one like other teams.

To me, that's the core problem. Very few explosive plays. We have to create sustained drives. And even if we do, Rams were 25th in red zone efficiency this year (TD only).

Is Stafford and the O going to flip the switch in the playoffs? Certainly could but seems like a big ask for that to occur consistently for a 3-4 game stretch. One thing is certain, the Rams can't settle for a bunch of FGs like last year in DET. Margin of error for the O is wafer thin.

But the "this Stafford's last shot at a title" seems like a fallacy to me. He'll be here next year and the team, in theory, should be better with another FA period and draft and very few important players that are FAs. Easy to see not digging a 3 game under .500 hole for the third year in row.

As a group they are the best in the NFL.

I don't see that at all. There's also been a claim that this years' team is better than the SB winning team. Don't see that either...start with 3 HOFers gone (Donald, Whitworth, and Ramsey) and Kupp at his zenith.

[Indrid Cold]

I wonder if McVay has the patience to develop a QB drafted with the idea of becoming an eventual #1. Try to mold him. However, I think instead they will go out and overspend, to get a safer vet QB who they know what is capable, and maybe hope MV can squeeze a bit more production out of him through his offensive scheme and tutelage.

I think you are exactly right. McVay (and the Rams org) aren't going to be in draft and develop a QB mode any time soon.

[snackdaddy]

I don't see the Rams as a solid Superbowl contender like Detroit and Philly. But right now the focus is one game. I will say Stafford is not the quarterback you want to see if you're the favorite. I don't see him lighting it up for 60 minutes like the Buffalo game. But I would not want to bet against him in the final minutes of a one score game.

[PARAM]

This is one of my 3 “issues” with McSnead:

They’ve completely ignored the QB position via the draft until Stetson. There is no way they drafted him to be the heir apparent. They are hoping he becomes a solid/ serviceable Back up. They signed Jimmy G because he was at a good price and they knew they were getting a solid backup QB for a year while they evaluated if Stetson got his non-football issues resolved, and progressed the way they hoped/wanted.

Prior to the Stetson draft they literally had Zero backups. Guys like Wolford and Rypien could not start in half the top college programs.

I wonder if McVay has the patience to develop a QB drafted with the idea of becoming an eventual #1. Try to mold him. However, I think instead they will go out and overspend, to get a safer vet QB who they know what is capable, and maybe hope MV can squeeze a bit more production out of him through his offensive scheme and tutelage.

I don’t know who that could be at this juncture.

I would love for them to draft a QB who they can develop with the idea of eventually becoming a starter. Who knows

My second issue is the lack of a deep WR threat. These guys don’t have to be Kupp quality route runners per se, but do need to have the vertical speed to take the top off of offenses once in a while, or at least offer the threat. These guys are critical for huge chunk plays, huge PI calls, and the ability to open up the mid-range stuff that Puka (and maybe still Kupp) excel at. I’m not a big Robinson guy, at least at the 3rd WR position.

Finally, in the same vein as the WR position, I wish they had either a scat-back RB in their stable, or someone with breakaway speed. Again, not saying he has to be getting a lot of snaps, but to put someone in that can at least threaten an explosive play or two. Someone with a diff skill set

I didn't have these same concerns until I read this post. I have them now for sure. Thanks Mulder!

A deep threat like Jamison Williams or Worthy would be nice. Scat back? I'd like one of those and also a 6'2" 235 lber with speed. I'm thinking when #9 gives them that heads up I'm sure they've sgreed to, they'll get the best available vet AND do all they can to draft a QB. Or.....McVay will take that opportunity to move to the booth.

[BobCarl]

The Vikings are hugely outmatched at the position.

Considering the type of season that Sam Darnold has had, I wouldn't say that there is a huge mismatch. 4300 yards 35 TD's and 12 ints to Stafford's 3800 yards 20 TD's and 8 Ints.

Darnold with Jefferson to throw to isn't exactly chump change.

I'll give the edge to Stafford in a playoff game because of his experience.

[ramsman34]

We were explosive tonight. The ability is there. It’s about the execution and playing calling at the right time/situation.

The only deep speed we have is under used/bad fit Tutu. And the rookie J Whitt (4.4 speed folks) but he just doesn’t have the experience or the full trust of Stafford and MCV. They manufacture explosives off play action as it gives the routes more time to develop. It will continue working as long as the OL and pass pro hold up at a high level - like it did tonight.