Ed "Pi Double i" HendersonWorldWide Rams For the second consecutive season, the Los Angeles Rams have clinched the NFC West under Sean McVay, their young head coach. The Rams took care of business today by defeating the Detroit Lions by the score of 30-16. They attained control of their destiny by executing their game plan to become victorious over the Lions. The last couple of weeks the Rams depended on losses by the Seattle Seahawks, but it just didn't work out to their desire.
Two weeks ago, they pinned their hopes on the Green Bay Packers on defeating the Seahawks. However, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers seemed to have picked the wrong evening to play one of his worst games of the season. The Seahawks escaped the game with a fourth down stand to secure a 27-24 victory. Last Sunday, the odds were stacked in favor of the Rams as they pinned those hopes on the Carolina Panthers defeating the Seahawks. A Panther victory at home would not come easy as they tried to scrap and remain perfect at home on the season. The Panthers fought a hard battle, but unfortunately, they lost to the Seahawks by a score of 30-27. Panther's kicker Graham Cano missed a 48-yard field goal with 1:46 remaining in the game, that would have given the Panthers the lead. The Seahawks took over on downs, and after two near Panther sacks, Wilson did it again by eluding the pressure and launching a deep pass down the field to a wide-open Tyler Lockett. Veteran kicker Sebastian Janikowski then nailed a 31-yard field goal to beat the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The victory didn't come easy for the Rams as the offense seemed to struggle at points of the game. Quarterback Jared Goff threw an interception in triple coverage and lost a fumble on a sack late in the second quarter. The Lions threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Rams with a failed on-side kick, a failed double pass, but caught them off-guard with a five-yard pass to tackle Taylor Decker for a touchdown. Decker's touchdown pulled the Lion within three points of the Rams to a score of 16-13. But the Lions defense was on point today causing nearly two back-back interceptions in the fourth quarter as Goff woes continued. Perhaps the 2018 NFL MVP Aaron Donald saved the Rams with his second sack of the game which forced a fumble from Lion's quarterback Mathew Stafford. Donald had his third forced fumbled and three sacks in his last two games. Rams 2017 NFC Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley capitalized on the turnover when he blasts through the right side for a 13-yard touchdown run. The Lions would not give up as Stafford an escaped a sack and launched the ball down the field to receiver Kenny Golladay and received a 48-yard pass interference call on safety LaMarcus Joyner. On a third and goal Stafford would escape yet another sack with a Whodini move and hit Golladay for an apparent touchdown pass. However, it would be ruled incomplete as Golladay came down out of the back of the end-zone. Lions would settle for a Matt Prater field goal to pull the score to 23-17. On a third-down and short, Gurley would take a handoff and rip through the left side for a 36-yard run, and his unselfishness would run horizontally across the field to burn time off the clock. Two carries later, Gurley gets his second touchdown of the day to put the Rams up by two scores. On the Lions, next possession the Rams defense gets three errant passes out of Stafford and on third down a roughing the passer call would be enforced on Ndamukong Suh to extend the drive. Stafford would guide the offense down the field, but the Rams defense would get an interception from Troy Hill to seal the game. Now that the Rams have clinched the division, they were first optimistic that the Dallas Cowboys in a miraculous way could defeat the red-hot New Orleans Saints. The Saints were the hottest team in the league as winners of their last ten games. The Cowboys snapped their 10-game win streak upsetting them 13-10, at AT&T Stadium. The loss to the Cowboys was crucial as they now yield the number one overall playoff spot to the Rams whom at this point will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Despite the Saints loss, the Rams will still need to remain focused on their last four games as they will face the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and the season finale against the San Francisco 49ers. Questions will begin to circulate if the Rams win out, will Coach McVay bench his starter in the season final game? Should the Rams win their next four games, and he elects to bench the starters, and should the Saints win out their remaining schedule, what does McVay do in the season finale? A critical point will be if the Rams and Saints end with precise records, the Saints will capture the home-field advantage once again. The Saints defeated the Rams in week nine with a 45-35 victory, in a shootout at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to control the head-to-head in case of a tie. Therefore there will be much more at stake for the Rams moving forward after clinching this division title. McVay's "We, Not Me" approach has translated well with this young Rams team. Let's continue enjoying this pilot as he continues to navigate this team to success. Today we are the "2018 NFC West Champions."
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Doug NelsonWorldWide Rams Overview:
While the Detroit Lions may not precisely be a marquee opponent, this is a game the Rams want to win for a couple of reasons. First of all, a win clinches the NFC West title, not that it is really in doubt at this point. However, maybe more importantly, with the New Orleans Saints upset loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, the Rams have a chance to put themselves in the driver's seat for first seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That is a big opportunity because the Rams DON'T want to have to play the Saints in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome again in the playoffs. Besides, while the Lions probably won't be a playoff team in 2018, they have beaten some likely playoff teams, including the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers. Oddsmakers are favoring the Rams by 9.5 points on Sunday, but we cannot take anyone lightly, especially on the road. Try asking the Saints. Rams Offense vs. Lions Defense The Lions defense is not bad, ranked 14th in the NFL in total defense, and giving up about 26 points a game. Those are not high numbers, but they are not terrible either. They have been outstanding against the run lately, giving up a little under 150 yards in the last three games combined. That is total yards, folks, not a per game average. They also have former New York Giant Damon "snacks" Harrison at defensive tackle, one of the league's premier run-stuffers. The Rams have probably the league's best running back in Todd Gurley and the league's second-ranked rushing offense. Gurley meanwhile is said to be healthy after suffering a minor ankle injury that kept his carries to a minimum in the shootout win over Kansas City Chiefs. When the Rams go to the air, one of the key matchups will be Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth against Lions defensive ends Romeo Okwara and Ziggy Ansah. While Okwara is the nominal starter, Ansah (who is likely to come in on passing downs) concerns me more as a pass-rusher. He is a freakish athlete who is so-so defending the run but could make things uncomfortable for Jared Goff on passing plays. Even so, Whitworth is one of the game's premier left tackles, and we like this matchup for the Rams. The Lions is rated 13th in the league in passing defense. The Rams, meanwhile seem to have discovered a new weapon in tight end Gerald Everett, who is coming off a phenomenal game against the Chiefs, including what turned out to be the game-winning catch. Wide receiver Josh Reynolds, who is seeing significant time in the absence of fellow receiver Cooper Kupp (on IR with a season-ending knee injury), also played well, and his height and wingspan give the Rams an added dimension, especially in the red zone. Thrown in top receivers Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods and think the Rams have too many weapons for a decent but not great Lions defense. Detroit may (or may not) limit the Rams ground game, but I do not think they can shut down this offense. Edge: Rams Rams Defense vs. Lions Offense The Rams defense has been a concern all season, and the 51 points they gave up in their last outing against the Chiefs did not do anything to change that fact. The Rams DID make some big plays, however, generating 21 points off of turnovers and getting a couple of crucial picks at the end to seal the win. Linebacker Samson Ebukam had his best day as a pro, including a pick-six. Was that his coming out party, or just a freakishly good game? However, anytime discussing the Rams, the conversation starts and ends with defensive tackle Aaron Donald, probably the best defensive player in the game right now. Donald leads the NFL with 14.5 sacks, despite being double-teamed on about 70 percent of his plays. The unenviable task of containing Donald will likely fall to Lions guard Frank Ragnow. Good luck with that matchup Detroit, they are going to need it. Hopefully, the referees will keep a close eye for holding penalties, which has been the only strategy that has slowed down Donald this season. Meanwhile, Rams d-lineman Ndamukong Suh may have little extra motivation for this game, as he holds a grudge against the organization which drafted him in the 2010 NFL Draft. The hard feelings won't help the comments given by Lions running back LeGarrette Blount calling Suh a dirty player. Guessing the fact that Blount would know about dirty players, while at the University of Oregon, was suspended from the team for sucker-punching a Boise State player after the conclusion of the game. Blount and Suh will likely renew their, umm, ''friendship" on Sunday, since the Lions will be without running back Kerryon Johnson, who is ruled out, leaving Blount to carry the load. There's a hunch this will not be a joyous reunion. The Rams are expecting cornerback Aqib Talib to see snaps after having missed eight games with an ankle injury. The Lions will be without one of their primary weapons, wide receiver Marvin Jones, and former Detroit wideout Golden Tate was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, so that leaves Kenny Golladay as their primary receiving threat. Golladay is a good player, having racked up over 800 yards this season, and an average of over 16 yards per catch. The problem for Detroit is the fact they do not have anybody else that frightens people as a pass catcher with Jones injured and the trade of Tate. Lions quarterback Matt Stafford is something of a mixed bag, with a history of putting up very good to great numbers but not all that many wins. He is capable of getting hot, but assume that Detroit will try to go ''ground and pound" and keep the ball away from an explosive Rams offense. Blount did rack up 88 yards last week against a good Chicago Bears defense but otherwise has been so-so this season. The Lions will probably need 100 rushing yards from him to have a chance in this game. If the Rams can keep him under control Sunday, they should win comfortably, barring Stafford going off. If they cannot, they will have to do what they usually do, score 30 plus points and get just enough big plays on defense to win. Edge: Rams (but only slightly) Special Teams: Johnny Hekker, Greg Zuerlein, Cory Littleton, and Coach John Fassell, need we say more? If so, may we mention that backup linebacker Ramik Wilson is quietly having an outstanding season on special teams too! Let us include he forced a key fumble on a kick return to seal the win against Green Bay Packers. The Rams have the best special teams in the league, in our opinion, which helps offset some of their deficiencies on defense. Also, for one of the few times this season, they are mostly healthy. That is good news for the Rams. Edge: Rams Prediction: The Lions are a hard team to predict, with wins against some of the league's best teams and then some dismal outings in other weeks against such weaklings as the New York Jets. However, they are banged up, and I do not think they can play with the Rams, barring the Rams going into the turnover mode. Rams 35 Detroit 24 Ed "Pi Double i" HendersonWorldWide Rams
After missing the last eight games of the season, the Los Angeles Rams has officially activated cornerback Aqib Talib to the active roster. Talib's activation appears to be right on time as the Rams look to clinch an NFC West Division Title against the Detroit Lions.
Talib sustained an injury to his ankle after being rolled up on by San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams while being tackled by Rams linebacker Ramik Wilson. Talib's initial diagnosis was thought to be a strain, as the Rams medical staff were optimistic that it was not anything further serious. Talib sought for a second opinion with his injured ankle, and that second opinion required he undergo surgery to repair his ankle. Talib returned to the Rams after their bye week, and begin to practice. Getting Talib back now provides the Rams for once their full starting defense from week one. The Rams pass defense has been torched since week four and is in desperate need for their pro-bowl corner. The coaches thus far have been impressed with Talib's work already (see video below). Individual Drill Of Aqib Talib
The five-time pro-bowl Talib is anxious to get back on the field after assisting as a player-coach with the Rams secondary. Talib expressed how hard it was to stand on the sideline and to watch his team struggle at times and couldn't do anything about the play. He was not pleased that he missed the Rams last home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Playing four seasons with the Denver Broncos, he produced problems for the Chiefs while covering their best wide-outs.
In a one-on-one interview with Rams reporter Sarina Morales, she would ask Talib what some of the things he learned throughout the weeks while out on the injury? Talib responded:
When the Rams play the Lions on Sunday, they will be without a few key starters. Wide-receivers Marvin Jones placed on the IR and Brandon Powell already have been ruled out. The Lions have only three healthy receivers on the roster with Bruce Ellington listed a questionable with a bad back. The Lions traded away their number one receiver Golden Tate at the trade deadline, probably was a good deal for the Rams as Tate torched the defense with eight receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns. However, they will have to keep an eye on second year Kenny Golladay, a 6'4" receiver that quarterback Matthew Stafford has targeted a great deal since the trade. Talib will draw the assignment on Golladay more times than any on crucial downs and red-zone areas. Rookie running back Kerryon Johnson has been ruled out, which leave LeGarrette Blount as the starter and Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner as back-ups. The last time the Rams met the Lions at Ford Field, it was Zenner who seemed to have had a career day against the Rams. Expect for the Rams defense to become more aggressive on that side of the ball with Talib back in the line-up. Wade Phillips will probably be more comfortable with applying more blitz packages now that he has his veteran back on the other side of the ball. Expect Marcus Peters to return to his aggressive free-lance style of play of attacking the ball for turnovers. In a corresponding move, the Rams waived wide-receiver Nick Williams who was signed when Cooper Kupp was first injured against the Denver Broncos.
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