Arizona on thursday. Thoughts?

Recent Forum Topics Forums The Rams Huddle Arizona on thursday. Thoughts?

  • This topic has 26 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated 10 years ago by Avatar photozn.
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  • #13363
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    When was the last time they won 3 in a row?

    2012. Arizona, SF, Buffalo.

    #13367
    Maddy
    Participant

    My thoughts are all very positive. I can’t wait to see them play these days.

    #13370
    Avatar photonittany ram
    Moderator

    Vegas has the Rams as 3 to 3.5 point favorites as of this writing. When was the last time they were favored over a winning team?

    I think the Cards are in for a world of hurt.

    #13372
    PA Ram
    Participant

    The Rams defense seems so together right now. They seem to be on the same page. One of the biggest things that’s happening IMO is that the secondary is making things very difficult for the opposing QBs to find people and that little extra time give the d-line that extra second to put on pressure.

    Cards are going to have to face that and it won’t be easy for them.

    However, if the Rams offense comes out like the Keystone Cops and puts the defense in a bind, it could be a problem.

    Still, I like the Rams in this game. I’m not going to get carried away yet–they’ve beaten two pretty bad football teams but they beat them like they SHOULD have beat them. Arizona is a step up. It will be a battle.

    GZ needs to find his swing.

    But I think the Rams win the battle.

    "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick

    #13375
    21Dog
    Participant

    My thoughts are all very positive. I can’t wait to see them play these days.

    Same here.

    Can’t remember the last time I felt this way.

    #13388
    Winnbrad
    Participant

    Oh, so winning gets everyone all positive and mushy feeling. That’s what it takes?!

    Damn finicky Rams fans.

    🙂

    #13391
    rfl
    Participant

    I think the AZ game comes down to 1 question:

    Do we make numbers of ridiculous, game-losing mistakes?

    Yesterday (just watched the rewind) we made enough mistakes to lose a game by 20 points. Penalties–BAD penalties. Missed kicks. (Zeurlein, you idiot!) Missed TD passes. Red Zone meltdowns. Really poor pass blocking. Lots and lots of errors.

    We got away with it because A) the D is playing really well, B) the Offense was productive, C) the STs (other than Zeurlein) were superb and, most importantly, D) WASH sux.

    AZ will not allow us to make that level of blunder. They won’t let us get away with just a few errors.

    Now, please understand. I am not sayin we have to play our A game. I figure that our B game might be good enough …

    IF we play disciplined, efficient football. I think that, given AZ’s injury status, we are the better team. We can beat them, I believe, in a tough, close game.

    But ONLY if we don’t give away like 17 points on dumb-ass blunders. We cannot afford that against AZ.

    And by the way, you guys know my mantra. Under Jeff Fisher, we have not yet won anything like a “big game.”

    This is the biggest game we’ve had in many years. It would get us to .500 and a good chance to avoid a losing year or even win 9. And it’s against a really good, albeit beat up team.

    Are we ready for that? I have no bleeding idea. We have not been the last 3 years. At some point, however, a building team needs to learn to step up and get it done. Will it happen Thursday?

    If it doesn’t, we won’t have another chance until next year. We’ll be at 8 losses with only an outside chance at .500. And the last 2 games will officially become dead rubbers.

    We’ll see, won’t we?

    And Greg Williams still blitzes too much and plays too damn much soft coverage.

    By virtue of the absurd ...

    #13409
    Dak
    Participant

    I expect the Rams to win. I expect Drew Stanton to have a long night. I expect the home crowd to be as loud as it has been in a long time. I expect the Rams to be the team that creates turnovers and puts the game away this time.

    20-10 Rams (3 TDs and 1 2-pt conversion = 20 for Rams)

    Why not?

    But, if the Rams do dick around and make stupid mistakes, they’ll need GZ in this game. Is he a head case now? We’re gonna need him because I look at the rest of the season this way: The Rams have to keep winning so they can go into Seattle and play in Week 16 for what will be their Super Bowl. I want that to be a game that matters, and if the Rams are 8-7, playing for a winning record will matter a lot, even if there are no playoff hopes. And, it will matter to the Seahawks, I’m sure, because every win means a better chance of playing at home in the playoffs.

    #13412
    rfl
    Participant

    I look at the rest of the season this way: The Rams have to keep winning so they can go into Seattle and play in Week 16 for what will be their Super Bowl. I want that to be a game that matters, and if the Rams are 8-7, playing for a winning record will matter a lot, even if there are no playoff hopes. And, it will matter to the Seahawks, I’m sure, because every win means a better chance of playing at home in the playoffs.

    Exactly. Going 9-7 would matter, as the 10 wins mattered last year for AZ.

    However, Fisher will have a real challenge keeping the team focused enough to run the table. With the playoffs OFF the table, it’ll be hard to keep the momentum going game after game. Suppose we beat AZ on Thurs. night … but are officially eliminated from the playoffs? Can we really keep it going for another TWO games? AZ was playing their last game for the division last year, if I recall.

    Realistically, I see us going 8-8, losing to either AZ or SEA. That would be a bit of an improvement, but pretty disappointing.

    This team is so frustrating. It really, honestly should be in the Super Bowl conversation.

    OL and QB for next year!

    By virtue of the absurd ...

    #13414
    Winnbrad
    Participant

    Ray Finkle Greg Zuerlein will be fine.

    #13415
    Dak
    Participant

    <div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dak wrote:</div>
    I look at the rest of the season this way: The Rams have to keep winning so they can go into Seattle and play in Week 16 for what will be their Super Bowl. I want that to be a game that matters, and if the Rams are 8-7, playing for a winning record will matter a lot, even if there are no playoff hopes. And, it will matter to the Seahawks, I’m sure, because every win means a better chance of playing at home in the playoffs.

    Exactly. Going 9-7 would matter, as the 10 wins mattered last year for AZ.

    However, Fisher will have a real challenge keeping the team focused enough to run the table. With the playoffs OFF the table, it’ll be hard to keep the momentum going game after game. Suppose we beat AZ on Thurs. night … but are officially eliminated from the playoffs? Can we really keep it going for another TWO games? AZ was playing their last game for the division last year, if I recall.

    Realistically, I see us going 8-8, losing to either AZ or SEA. That would be a bit of an improvement, but pretty disappointing.

    This team is so frustrating. It really, honestly should be in the Super Bowl conversation.

    OL and QB for next year!

    If they lose again, I just hope it isn’t until Seattle. I think that’s definitely possible. And, no, I think this team will remain focused. There are some vets who have been waiting to play for a winner, and they’re going to want this very badly.

    #13423
    Avatar photoZooey
    Moderator

    If they lose again, I just hope it isn’t until Seattle. I think that’s definitely possible. And, no, I think this team will remain focused. There are some vets who have been waiting to play for a winner, and they’re going to want this very badly.

    Yeah, me too. It would be a letdown to lose to Arizona. Losing to Seattle in Seattle wouldn’t be that disappointing, but to have put together a couple of really good games in a row (and 3 of 4 with a near miss), and make us all hope that we are seeing something to carry us into next year with real hopes…well, I think a loss to Arizona would be deflating.

    Depends on HOW, of course, but beating Arizona would salvage the season for me, I think.

    #13425
    rhkona
    Participant

    It would be a big let down to lose to Arizona.

    I want to see really good football played by this team, which I know we are capable.

    Although we did shutout washington we had a slew of penalties that killed drives and momentum. I don’t want to see that thursday.

    I am not worried about the defense, but I want the offense to be efficient and effective. Hill was sacked 4 times yesterday, and at times he looked a little jumpy to me. I also want to see better play calling in the redzone.

    I am very happy and stoked about this team and thursday couldn’t come any sooner.

    But if we beat the cards, and giants. Mark my words, the last game vs seattle is going to be a huge game and a preview of whats to come in 2015.

    #13432
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    Welcome to the board, rhkona.

    Agamemnon

    #13461
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    i really like the way the offense is playing right now. nice mix of plays.

    love the way the defense is playing. this is the dominant defense i was expecting to see.

    but i agree with rfl. lots of mistakes yesterday that washington failed to capitalize on. years ago that would have been a loss but the rams won because they are that good. and washington is that bad. that’s good. but this team should expect more.

    so what kind of team do we see on thursday? a team that truly is trying to find consistency and achieve excellence or a team that continues to fail to learn from their mistakes? i’ve seen enough to realize that this team is capable of having a winning record. no more moral victories. no more lessons to be learned for next season. i want to see a team that has put it all together. i want the rest of the league to take notice. so fisher put out the six picks for the coin toss yesterday? fine but i want that trade to REALLY mean something. i want this team to take that next step toward achieving greatness. i want that trade to be talked about for the next 50 years. and i think it could start with a win on thursday and the rams on their way to finishing with a WINNING record and a serious eye toward super bowl contention NEXT year.

    ya know? so far that trade is only significant to two teams. the rams. and washington. that’s it. that’s not enough for me. i want this trade to matter to the whole league. and i want the league to feel it for years to come. dare i say i want this trade to be a part of nfl lore. the type of story fans hear about about but never witnessed personally. i’m excited.

    • This reply was modified 10 years ago by Avatar photoInvaderRam.
    #13473
    GreatRamNTheSky
    Participant

    7 and 7 that is what this game means

    Cardinals are not the same team the Rams faced just a few short weeks ago. Still very good on Defense but not the same team on offense. Too bad this game isn’t being played on Sunday instead of Thursday because, we’d have a better understanding of just how far the Rams have come in a month’s time. The shortened week is going to have an effect on the game. I just hope it is a positive for the Rams.

    As you may recall the Rams were leading the in the last game until Austin Davis had a melt down and thanks to a pick six and then a fumble by Davis which was scored as a TD allowed the Cardinals to score three TDs in about 4 minutes time and put the game away.

    Hopefully, having Hill in there at QB means we are not going to see the same kind of mental blunders Davis committed which beat the Rams in the last game between these two teams.

    Rams are a young team on defense. They have really come together as a defense the past few weeks. Hopefully their youth will play to their advantage on this short week. If they can muster up the intensity and ferocity they have played with versus the Raiders and Redskins then the Cardinals may be in some trouble.

    The Rams offense has been clicking on all cylinders as well. They have been very well balanced and the offensive line has played great. If they Rams can run the football effectively and hit on some big pass plays this could be their game to win. The Rams however cannot afford turnovers versus the Cardinals.

    What does 7 and 7 mean to the Rams? It means two more wins and they have a winning season. The Rams may not make it to the playoffs at 9-7 but wouldn’t it be great for them to go into Seattle the last weekend of the season and beat them in their own stadium? Just might be the signal that in 2015 teams like Seattle and San Francisco and Arizona will not be guaranteed a top spot in the NFC West. The new kingpin just might very well be the Rams.

    Grits

    • This reply was modified 10 years ago by GreatRamNTheSky.
    • This reply was modified 10 years ago by Avatar photozn.
    #13524
    NERam
    Participant

    The Rams “D” descends upon Drew Stanton like the Harpies treated King Phineus.

    And Gagatron, the spectre in Mr. Frankes nightmares, redeems himself with a 65 yard game winner.

    #13526
    Avatar photocanadaram
    Participant

    I think the Rams defense can expect to see a steady diet of screen passes and intermediate passes over the middle. I’m not confident that the defense has figured out how to stop that stuff consistently vs strong skilled players. That said Drew Stanton hasn’t dominated on the road, so who knows?

    #13527
    sdram
    Participant

    I’m boldly predictin the Rams win 29 – 3.

    I watched the Cards after the Rams this past Sunday. The Cards receivers are great, Stanton is decent, and they play to win the game – secondary is agressive – lots of takeaways. We’ll see.

    • This reply was modified 10 years ago by sdram.
    #13549
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    I expect another brutal hard-fought NFC West type division game.

    They had them last time but melted down. I expect more “had them” and less “melt down” this time.

    I expect the Rams to score on them, and this really is the big statement game for the born-again defense.

    #13552
    Avatar photowv
    Participant

    I dunno whats gonna happen, but this
    is a game a ‘good team’ should win.
    A home game against a team with a back-up QB.

    The Cards aint the Raiders or Washington,
    thats for sure. They can street-fight
    with the best of em.

    I’m excited.

    Tavon and Cook and Hill,
    need to hold onto the ball.
    I dont think the Cards can win
    without turnovers.

    w
    v

    #13553
    Avatar photonittany ram
    Moderator

    Tavon and Cook and Hill,
    need to hold onto the ball.
    I dont think the Cards can win
    without turnovers.

    w
    v

    See I disagree with that. To win, I think the Rams will have to turn the ball over at least once, maybe twice.
    Think about it. They have gone two weeks without a turnover. That’s not like them. That’s not like them at all. In fact, I propose that the concept of going a third week without a turnover is so ‘alien’ to them, that they will begin to question their deepest held beliefs and suffer the associated aungst that accompanies the feeling of not knowing your place in the greater order of things. You can’t concentrate on football after being cast adrift in a cold and unknowable universe.
    To prevent this the Rams will have to commit a turnover and the sooner the better. Prolly best if they had two before halftime.

    On the other hand, if the Cards can hold the Rams to less than two turnovers, I think they have an excellent shot to win this game.

    #13611
    Avatar photonittany ram
    Moderator

    Biggest concern about tonight’s game?

    How well can the Rams o-line hold up against a really good front seven? They’ll have to play much better than they did in Washington last week where they gave up 4 sacks and didn’t open up a lot of holes for the running game.

    I don’t think some of the gimmicky plays that the Rams use like that jet sweep they run with Tavon will work against a disciplined defense like the Cardinals. To create running lanes they’ll have to do it the old fashioned way. Put a hat on a hat and move them out of the hole in coachspeak.

    On the other hand I don’t think the Cards (or anybody except maybe the Seahawks) can afford to stack the LOS against the Rams anymore. With the emergence of Brit and Bailey the passing game is something defenses have to contend with.

    The Rams o-line is the only worry I have right now. There’s really no other weaknesses on this team. Perhaps there are some areas that could be improved but I wouldn’t consider any of those areas a weakness….ummm except maybe place kicking. The jury’s out on that.

    #13613
    Avatar photowv
    Participant

    Oline. Its always the Oline.

    w
    v

    #13614
    Winnbrad
    Participant

    Turnovers.

    As for the O-line, Barksdale will certainly need to be sharper than last week, but the backs could stand to do a better job of picking up blitzes, or when an O-lineman whiffs.

    Hopefully, if there are breakdowns in pass blocking, Hill with throw it away, or just take the sack. Sometimes a punt is a good play, especially for this team. The defense is playing well, our coverage units are good, and our punter is excellent.

    If the play ain’t there, just eat it, and punt.

    No turnovers.

    #13616
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    Hey guys. I am going to merge this with the other “thotz on the ARZ game” thread.

    #13654
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    from off the net

    ==

    WiFFLE ChAMp

    there sure is a buzz around the city today…

    I have talked with several in the work place about it and have gotten several text messages…

    my favorite text I received today was from my cousin saying..

    I’m Working right next door to the Dome today.. walking out of work start drinking and then game. Wearing work clothes with MY RAMS HARD HAT. REMEMBER 99..GOTTA GO TO WORK

    and he sent me a pic with his rams hardhat on… I loved it!

    I got another text saying “It’s time. The Rams are back in business”

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