the press (& some gamblers) set up the Carolina game

link: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/2019/09/01/nfl-betting-lines-odds-game-picks-week-one/

Los Angeles Rams (-3) at Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton is expected to play, which makes this something of a difficult decision. The Panthers were 6-2 last year before Newton injured his shoulder and added several key pieces in the offseason. That said, you should still pick the Rams. The offense is a lot better with Cooper Kupp on the field, and he’s reportedly looking great. C.J. Anderson proved that you don’t need a healthy Todd Gurley to run the ball in this offense, and the Rams should once again be one of the best teams in the league.

Pick: Rams win, cover spread

Captain Morgan

Hi guys, Panthers fan here

A couple of things from our side. We were very luck as far as injuries go. Cam’s foot (not ankle) is good to go. He practiced fully today.

Because of caution and a few minor injuries, we didn’t get a real good look at our starting lineup. OL is a concern. Former right tackle Daryl Williams will play LT, and he didn’t play much in pre-season. Backup is 2nd round pick is Greg Little, who was somewhat of a controversial pick among our fanbase, didn’t pleasantly surprise or disappoint when he played. Free Agent center Paradis is recovering from an injury, supposedly fully, and the right side is solid with G Turner (former pro-bowler) and T Moton, who had an excellent season last year filling in at RT.

The OL is the last thing you want to be your major concern if your first game against the Rams. But it is.

You guys seem just as confidant as you did in the summer when I checked in. Here’s to a good game with no injuries.

BTW, Hurricane Dorian is not expected to affect the game at this time, although these things change all the time. Right now, it’s expected to stay off the coast until it hits North Carolina’s outer banks, hundreds of miles from Charlotte.

Here are 5 things to know about the Rams-Panthers matchup in Week 1, including LA's dominance under Sean McVay in season openers https://t.co/BHeXymTYzJ

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) September 4, 2019

Rams24/7@Rams24_7
A thread of some of my thoughts ahead of week 1:
1. First-time starters Noteboom & Allen will be tested immediately blocking the likes of Kawann Short, Gerald McCoy, & Dontari Poe
2. I like the matchup of Rams WRs vs the Panthers secondary (which I think is average)
3. Curious to see how the snap breakdown between Todd and Brown is. I think Henderson sees 5 touches at most.
4. Excited to see AD for the first time since February and see how the NT rotation of SJD and Gaines play alongside him.
5. I like the Rams CBs to clamp down on the Panthers WRs.
6. McCaffrey & Olsen are the only weapons that concern me. I think JJ is the best matchup vs Olsen and McCaffrey will be a mix, as long as it isn’t Hager. Taylor Rapp may get some snaps in covering him

Can the Rams defense contain the Carolina Panthers?

J.B. Long
VOICE OF THE L.A. RAMS

https://www.therams.com/news/can-the-rams-defense-contain-the-carolina-panthers

There’s so much to discuss about the opener at Carolina and the season ahead, we’re going to break this into two parts.

Later this week, some perspective on Sean McVay and what’s ahead for the offense.

But first, let’s dive into defense and special teams.

Can this Defense Dominate?

The Rams 2018 defense was clutch; it was opportunistic; quite frankly, it was championship-worthy. After all, the defense delivered an NFC title and its best performance of the year came in the Super Bowl.

Relative to expectations, however, it’s also fair to say the defense underachieved.

The 2018 Rams were average statistically. And that was despite an historic season from the two-time reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

What if they delivered on their promise now? What if – in conjunction with one of the top scoring offenses in football – the Rams defense imposed its collective will on the opposition?

Aaron Donald believes they can.

“Hundred percent,” he told me recently. “I feel like we’re in a position to be even better.”

Face of the Franchise Tag

For that to be the case, you get the sense Dante Fowler and Marcus Peters have to have extension-worthy seasons. Both are former first-round talents, entering their fifth seasons, playing positions that command massive contracts, and the Rams traded draft capital to acquire their services.

It would be a wonderful financial dilemma for L.A. to contend with in 2020, if Fowler and Peters are each coming off career years as they approach the open market. There’s reason to think that could happen.

Peters improved dramatically as 2018 wore on, as he did not allow a score after that first trip to New Orleans in Week 9, and per PFF, didn’t even surrender a deep completion in the second half of last season.

Once Fowler settled into Los Angeles, he made some of the biggest plays of the Super Bowl run, including a thunderous tackle of Ezekiel Elliott and the overtime hit on Drew Brees.

Wanted: Veteran Help

Sunday will be our first look at a revamped Rams defense, featuring two players with a dozen Pro Bowl honors between them. Yet the teams that knew them best, didn’t want them anymore.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Sean McVay saw Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews in person last season (Weddle for two joint sessions with the Ravens; Matthews in Week 8 with the Packers). He and L.A. did want these veterans, believing strongly that there’s something left in their tanks – and a wealth of knowledge between their ears – that can benefit the 2019 Rams.

Last Hurrah?

The Rams can only hope that Weddle and Matthews have the impact that Andrew Whitworth and Aqib Talib have had.

I know this is supposed to be a defensive piece, but allow me to lump Whitworth in with Weddle, Matthews, and Talib here, only for the purposes of this brief observation.

Isn’t it remarkable how what was, until very recently, the youngest roster in the NFL suddenly got a bit long in the tooth?

Four starters 33 years or older. That’s like… Sean McVay old.

Wishing them all a healthy and fulfilling season, one that cements their legacy, particularly if it proves to be their last.

(Meantime, there are 10 rookies on the roster, including three undrafted college free agents.)

Safety in Numbers

There are few things I’m more intrigued by than the Week One snap counts at safety.

The Rams opted to keep five of them on the initial 53-man roster, and four should feature prominently in the defensive game plan against Carolina: Weddle, John Johnson, Marqui Christian, and Taylor Rapp.

“We’ve got guys that can play in the box; guys that can play in the deep part of the field; guys that can cover man-to-man,” safeties coach Ejiro Evero told me during training camp. “It really just gives you a lot of flexibility as a defense in terms of disguising and giving different looks to the offense that can keep them off balance.”

Imagine what Donald might do with that moment of hesitation while an opposing quarterback sorts through the confusion.

“That’s exactly right,” Evero continued. “And that’s all we’re trying to do: just buy him a split more second.”

When middle linebacker Micah Kiser was injured in the preseason, the importance of the Rams depth, intelligence, and versatility at safety was amplified. Sure, they’ll still need a thumping linebacker on run downs and in short-yardage situations. But I suspect more often than not, Wade Phillips and his defensive staff will opt to leverage their safeties against Cam Newton, Christian McCaffrey, and the Panthers.

Something Special

We have to be intentional not to take the Rams special teams for granted; I know I’m guilty of it at times.

And this may feel like an odd moment to express any kind of concern about the kicking game, given that Greg Zuerlein hit the longest game-winner in playoff history earlier this calendar year.

But he also missed from 48 in the Super Bowl, and I’m sensitive to the fact that since his All-Pro 2017, he’s missed seven of the team’s last 18 regular season games due to injury.

Additionally, after going 18-of-19 on kicks beyond 40 yards in 2017, Zuerlein was just 8-of-12 from that distance in 2018.

There’s comfort in knowing that Zuerlein and the Rams were so confident about his health they allowed him to fly to Hawaii and back, not to mention attempt field goals of 56 and 58 yards (both missed) this preseason.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this: Nothing against Sam Ficken and Cairo Santos, but it would be a welcome relief to have Greg the Leg dialed in for 16-plus games this season. As if to drive that point home, the Panthers put their kicker, Graham Gano on injured reserve last week.

The Forgotten Man

I’ve been keeping score this off-season while reading, watching, and listening to coverage of the team.

I think Michael Brockers has been completely forgotten.

Not by his teammates. Not by his coaches. And certainly not by his front office, which chose not to repurpose his eight-figure salary cap hit. But externally, Brockers has been the least-mentioned starter on defense – and perhaps the entire team – for the past seven months.

One sack and four tackles-for-loss made for an underwhelming 2018, as Brockers often was tasked with holding the front side of a leaky Rams rush defense. His PFF grade declined significantly from 2016 and 2017 levels.

That being said, I wanted to finish with some ink for the first pick of the Les Snead era, who has quietly done the dirty work for seven years in Horns, averaging more than 15 appearances per season along the way.

Here’s one prediction for Brockers to have a 2019 worth talking about.

Rams at Panthers: 5 key matchups to watch in Week 1 https://t.co/trFENOYZ1O

— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) September 6, 2019

Rams’ defense braces for playmaking Panthers backfield

https://www.therams.com/news/rams-defense-braces-for-playmaking-panthers-backfield

A quarterback who can make plays with his legs is nothing new in today’s NFL. Neither is a running back capable of catching passes out of the backfield or while lined up out wide.

What is rare, however, is an NFL team that has both.

The Carolina Panthers are one of those teams, which means starting QB Cam Newton and RB Christian McCaffrey will have complete attention of the Rams’ front seven on Sunday.

“Just playmakers,” Los Angeles DT Aaron Donald said of the duo.

Since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Panthers in 2011, Newton has tallied 58 rushing touchdowns – most by a quarterback since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. His total touchdowns (240) and total yards (33,277) rank third by an NFL quarterback through his first eight seasons.

As a rookie, Newton’s 4,051 passing yards set a then-NFL record previously held by Peyton Manning. He also became the first rookie in NFL history to eclipse 400 passing yards in his first career start.

“Cam (Newton) has been the MVP of the league,” Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “He says he feels like a rookie now, which is kind of scary because he had some great years – even his rookie year was a heck of a year.”

McCaffrey, meanwhile, set the set Panthers single-season records for most receptions (107) and scrimmage yards (1,965) by any player last season. He also set single-season records for most receiving yards (867), receiving touchdowns (6), and receiving first downs (41) by a running back.

This was all accomplished in just his second NFL season.

“(McCaffrey) did a lot of things outside of the backfield,” Donald said. “They’re always trying to find ways to get him the ball.”

Phillips has faced Newton once before, as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos when they defeated the Panthers 24-10 to capture Super Bowl 50 in 2015.

The 2019 Panthers are a different team and this is a different time, so it’s tough to take anything away from that contest four years ago, according to Phillips. However, it’s fair to say their backfield looks different, and Phillips is well aware of the tests both Newton and McCaffrey will present.

“It will be a big challenge for us, but we’re looking forward to it,” Phillips said.

Panthers: Why the interior offensive line is the Week 1 X-Factor vs. Rams

link: https://clutchpoints.com/panthers-why-the-interior-offensive-line-is-the-week-1-x-factor-vs-rams/

The Carolina Panthers face off with the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 of the regular season. With their game coming up on Sunday, there are a lot of storylines to talk about.

However, one that can’t be overlooked is a very simple one – the Rams are the favorites. As the underdogs, what do the Panthers need to do to leave Week 1 with a surprising 1-0 record?

Well it all starts with an X-Factor. Who will step up and help lead the team to victory? For the Panthers that’s a loaded question.

The reason for that is because we shouldn’t be asking which one player will be the X-Factor, but which group of players will be the X-Factor. That group, is the interior of the offensive line. Here’s why they’re the X-Factor for the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 vs. the Los Angeles Rams.

The Los Angeles Rams have a very scary defense. Their entire pass rush is a scary thing. However, there’s a certain player that if you can contain him, you can gain some control. If I have to tell you that player’s name, have you even watched football the last few years?

Of course, I’m talking about defensive tackle Aaron Donald. He’s a wrecking ball. He can destroy an offense by himself, and makes everyone around him that much more dangerous.

Stopping him is nearly impossible, however if you can at least slow down Donald, you give your offense a chance.

See the issue is that Donald isn’t just good in one asset of the game. He’s a defensive tackle that will stop the run in the backfield, but also lead the NFL in sacks. He hits hard enough to cause a lot of fumbles, but is fast enough to chase down a lot of ball carriers. There’s really nothing he can’t do.

Due to that, Donald often finds himself getting blocked by multiple people. That’s why I couldn’t just put one name on this list.

Instead, it will be up to three people, the two guards and the center. At left guard, the Panthers have Greg Van Roten. Meanwhile, Trai Turner is their right guard. Finally, Matt Paradis finds himself in the middle at center.

That’s a pretty formidable trio. They should be up for the task of stopping Aaron Donald. The issue is that a lot of people appear up for the task – then game day happens.

If the Panthers can contain Donald though, good things can happen. Yes, the Rams have a lot of great defenders, but Donald is the centerpiece. Stop him and you can gain control again.

If the Panthers can keep Donald out of the backfield (for the most part) the game changes. Suddenly, your running game opens up slightly. Even more importantly, Cam Newton has time in the backfield. Giving your superstar quarterback a chance is all you usually need.

For the Panthers to win this game, they’ll need to be on top of their game. That means the defense showing up to stop an elite offense. However, the offense needs to pull its weight as well.

You can’t expect your running backs to do much or your quarterback to put up big numbers if they never get a chance. If Aaron Donald is running free, that’s exactly what will happen. The running backs will see holes plugged up and defenders in the backfield far too often. Meanwhile, Newton will be chased around and never get much time to set himself.

Contain Donald, and the rest of the work is up to everyone else. That’s why the X-Factor for the Carolina Panthers is so simple, but complicated, at the same time. If they want to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 of the regular season, they’ll need the offensive linemen (specifically the interior offensive linemen) to make life easier for Cam Newton.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by zn.