media folk & posters set up Tampa game & Rams v. Suh

Can Gurley get going when Rams host Bucs?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-football-nfl-tb-lar-preview/can-gurley-get-going-when-rams-host-bucs-idUSKBN1WB0NI?feedType=RSS&feedName=sportsNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FsportsNews+%28Reuters+Sports+News%29

Since Sean McVay took the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching job before the 2017 season, the offense has been based around the rushing and receiving of running back Todd Gurley.

Over the two previous seasons, Gurley has rushed for 2,556 yards and caught 123 passes for 1,368 yards, scoring a whopping 40 touchdowns. That Los Angeles has won consecutive NFC West titles and earned a controversial NFC title last season is no coincidence.

But Gurley, whether because the team is trying to manage a sore knee or because of other factors, hasn’t been a big difference-maker during this year’s 3-0 start. He’s rushed for 203 yards on 44 carries while managing only four catches for eight yards. And he has scored only once.

Asked about a lesser workload for Gurley prior to Sunday’s afternoon visit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, McVay told reporters it’s a matter of getting more snaps from scrimmage.

“Being efficient on those early drives and being able to sustain drives,” McVay said. “The more plays we get, the better it is for everybody because the more opportunities and the more of a rhythm that we can get in where we’re able to do a handful of different things.”

Yet the Rams actually rank tied for ninth in plays run with 197, and may get a chance to match or eclipse their average of 65.7 snaps per game against a Tampa Bay defense that’s allowing nearly 26 points per game. Last week, the Buccaneers were carved up for 336 yards and two touchdown passes (and another two touchdowns rushing) by rookie quarterback Daniel Jones in a 32-31 loss to the New York Giants.

Yet Tampa Bay (1-2) probably should be packing a 2-1 record for its trip across three time zones. The Buccaneers used the last 1:16 after Jones’ go-ahead scoring run to position rookie kicker Matt Gay for a game-winning 34-yard field goal attempt from the field’s middle, but Gay pushed it wide right.

A few hours after Tampa Bay lost a game in which it led 28-10 at halftime, Los Angeles was grinding out a 20-13 win in Cleveland, thanks largely to its defense. The Rams came up with a goal-line stand in the last minute, stopping the Browns on four plays from the 4-yard line as their defensive line forced inaccurate back-foot throws from Baker Mayfield.

Los Angeles’ front four faces an interesting challenge this week. Under first-year coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, the Buccaneers have established an identity of power runs on first down to set up play-action throws from Jameis Winston.

Tampa Bay ranks eighth in the league in rushing at 121.7 yards per game, just two yards behind the Rams, and has controlled the ball for more than 32 minutes per game.

“I just think it’s such a positive when you’re able to run the football, no matter if it’s first down or what,” said Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. “The more effective we are and if we continue to be efficient, eventually it will open up some big play-action shots for us. As long as we keep running the ball effectively, I’m happy.”

from Week 4 PFF Preview

https://www.pff.com/news/pro-nfl-week-4-pff-preview-players-to-watch-fantasy-football-advice-and-betting-projections

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Rams

NFL Players to Watch

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Bucs’ two highest-graded players on the offensive side of the ball through Week 3, need a big game on Sunday to even have a chance at taking down the undefeated Rams on the road. Evans leads the team in yards per route run at 2.61 after an absolutely stunning performance against the Giants this past week. Godwin, meanwhile, has impressed with his contested-catch ability and already has seven receptions of 15-plus yards.

Of course, it’ll be tough sledding for Evans and Godwin going against Aqib Talib and the rest of Los Angeles’ secondary. The Rams currently rank sixth in EPA per play allowed and yards per reception allowed when opposing offenses target wide receivers.

Fantasy Football Preview

Through three weeks, only the Patriots (who have faced Pittsburgh, Miami, and the Jets) have a better run-defense grade than the Buccaneers’ 81.9, and Tampa Bay has faced a much more competent slate of backs (San Francisco, Carolina and a few plays of Saquon Barkley). Tampa Bay has 21 tackles for a loss or no gain, two more than the second-most team and five more than third. Todd Gurley could be in for a rough week.

Greenline Preview

After Tampa Bay’s offensive display last week, both teams now rank in our top 10 for offensive rankings. This total has moved up at least a full point if not 1.5 points in some spots. Greenline sees some value on a certain side of the total with the spread falling right in line with market consensus.

Aaron Donald Demands Double Teams…And Beats Them

https://www.buccaneers.com/news/aaron-donald-demands-double-teams-and-beats-them-rams-wk-4-2019

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to knock the Los Angeles Rams from the ranks of the unbeaten on Sunday when they visit the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the first time in 26 years. The cross-country trip begins an unusual stretch in the Buccaneers schedule that won’t see them return to Raymond James Stadium until November 10.

To get back to .500 and get the long road swing started on the right foot, the Buccaneers will have to beat the defending NFC Champions, who have already beaten fellow NFC South teams Carolina and New Orleans this year. The Rams, who moved back to Los Angeles in 2016 after two decades in St. Louis, have only lost one of their last nine games at the Coliseum, which the Bucs last visited in 1993 to play the then-Los Angeles Raiders.

The Rams rode a prolific offense to the Super Bowl last year and have almost all of their key pieces from that attack back in 2019. However, the Los Angeles defense has led the way in the early going, ranking third in yards allowed per game (285.7) and seventh in points allowed per game (16.3). Defensive tackle Aaron Donald has won the last two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and is often impossible to keep out of the offensive backfield. The Rams added outside linebacker Clay Matthews in the offseason to team with Dante Fowler and bring pressure off the edge.

The Rams’ offense has by no means been bad, of course. Los Angeles has scored 25.3 points per game to rank eighth in that category and the Rams have run the ball well with Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown. A 4-3 TD/INT ratio has kept quarterback Jared Goff’s passer rating down at 84.5 but he’s a talented young passer who is surrounded by a trio of equally-dangerous receivers in Cooper Kupp, Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods.

Here’s a closer look at some of the challenges and opportunities the Buccaneers will encounter when they take on the Rams Sunday:

RAMS DIFFERENCE-MAKERS
The Rams have two new starters on the offensive line in left guard Joseph Noteboom and center Brian Allen, but everyone else is back on an offense that scored 32.9 points per game last year and rang up 421.1 yards in the average outing. The Rams’ defense produced the fourth-most takeaways a year ago and has five through three games so far this year. Here are four Rams in particular who could cause the Buccaneers trouble on Sunday:

1. DT Aaron Donald. The awards on Donald’s mantle are probably more than enough of an explanation as to why he heads this list, but it’s hard to overstate how much impact he can have on a game. He had 20.5 sacks last year, the most ever by a defensive tackle, not to mention an incredible 41 quarterback hits, or about 2.5 per game. Offensive coordinators fear pressure up the middle more than anything else, and nobody provides that as consistently as Donald. And he put up those mind-boggling numbers in 2018 while being double-teamed on 60.5% of his snaps, the third-highest rate in the league according to NFL Next Gen Stats. In other words, the Buccaneers are almost surely going to double-team Donald a lot, creating opportunities for other pass-rushers, and it still might not work.

2. RB Todd Gurley. Gurley’s workload has been an openly-discussed issue since he saw his snaps dwindle late last year and in the playoffs, apparently due to an arthritic condition in his left knee. But both the Rams and Gurley himself declared the fifth-year back good to go to start the 2019 season, and when he’s on the field he’s L.A.’s best offensive player. Gurley scored 40 touchdowns over the past two seasons; he has just one so far this year but is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He has also played 146 offensive snaps through three weeks, which is tied for the fifth-most among running backs in the NFL. Like Saquon Barkley, last week’s foe, Gurley has all the running back tools – power, vision, balance, quickness and pass-catching ability

3. OLB Dante Fowler. The Rams got Fowler in a trade at midseason last year and he ended up contributing 2.0 sacks in eight games. That swap, and the one-year deal the Rams gave him to stay put in 2019, is really starting to pay off, as Fowler has already matched last year’s sack total in three games and appears to be playing the best football of his four-year career. Fowler and any Ram who lines up on the edge is going to get some one-on-one pass-rush opportunities thanks to the attention that must be paid to Donald, as noted above, and he is taking advantage of them. It was the speed and quick get-off that got Fowler drafted third overall by Jacksonville in 2015, but he can also utilize his good power to push linemen back and then disengage at the right moment to hit the quarterback.

4. WR Brandin Cooks. Pick your poison in the Rams’ receiving corps, as different evaluators will rank the trio of Cooks, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods in different orders. Kupp is big and smart and has been the highest-volume Goff target, though he’s averaging just 11.3 yards per catch. Woods is a complete wideout who is used on jet sweeps and blocks well, and also has the numbers that suggest a possession receiver. But Cooks is the burner and therefore the one most likely to change the game with one or two big plays. He’s averaging 17.3 yards per grab, the best of his six-year career so far. Cooks also has 33 career touchdowns, including at least five each of the last four years while playing for the Rams, Patriots and Saints.

STRENGTHS
The Rams have run the ball better than they’ve thrown it so far this season, with Todd Gurley getting help from Malcolm Brown to put up 123.7 yards per game. On defense, Los Angeles is holding opposing teams to 192.7 passing yards per game and 5.30 yards per pass play, both fourth-best in the NFL.

Here are some more specific areas in which the Giants are off to a good start in 2019:

· When the Rams’ offense gets a first down inside the opposing 10-yard line, it’s very difficult to keep it from continuing on to the end zone. Los Angeles is one of 10 teams that has scored a touchdown on every one of its goal-to-go possessions so far, but the Rams are at the top of that list because they’ve had more of those opportunities and converted them all. Specifically, the Rams are eight-for-eight in goal-to-go situations, and they haven’t been predictable, scoring four teams each on the ground and through the air.

· Jameis Winston threw the ball down the field on Sunday against the Giants about as well as he ever has, completing seven passes of 20 or more yards, including strikes of 55, 44, 41 and 30 yards. That was an encouraging sign but it will be difficult to duplicate in Los Angeles. No team has allowed fewer completions of 20 or more passes than the Rams. They’ve only been solved on the deep ball four times; the next lowest team total is six and the NFL average is 11.

· Todd Gurley is a good pass-catcher, but as noted above, the Rams have a trio of trustworthy receivers who are on the field a lot. The Rams’ official depth chart lists all three as starters, and all three – Woods, Kupp and Cooks – have been on the field for at least 92.9% of the team’s offensive snaps so far. It’s not terribly surprising, then, that Los Angeles runs more of its passing game through its wideouts than any other team in the NFL. Wideouts have accounted for 86.2% of the team’s receiving yards this year; the league average per team is 65.1%.

· The Buccaneers want to see improvement in their red zone offense as soon as possible, and Bruce Arians specifically noted that his team had started off doing well in the passing game in that area but has since taken a dive. Pulling out of that dive in Week Four will be complicated by an L.A. defense that has allowed a collective passer rating of 33.2 in the red zone, third-best in the NFL. The league average is 91.7.
WEAKNESSES

It’s a small sample size at this point but the Rams’ interception rate on offense is a bit high, a mark of 2.86% that is ninth worst in the NFL. There’s not much to criticize on defense, but L.A.’s punt coverage units have given up an average of 12.8 yards per runback. That’s second to last in the NFL. In addition:

· As good as the Rams’ defense has been, it’s been susceptible to the run on second down. The Los Angeles defense is allowing 4.16 yards per carry overall to rank right in the middle of the NFL pack, but on second down specifically it is giving up 5.57 yards per tote. That includes four runs of over 10 yards allowed.

· The Rams can strike quickly with Gurley or Cooks, but they haven’t exactly been grinding out long drives so far this year. Los Angeles has just two possessions through three games that has lasted at least five minutes, and only one of those actually resulted in a score. That’s tied for the third-lowest total in the NFL.

· As good as the Rams have been at punching it in from first-and-goal opportunities, they have not run the ball particularly well in the red zone. The bar is lower down there – the NFL average is just 3.0 yards per carry – but the Rams have fallen short of it, picking up just 2.1 yards per try inside the 20. That’s 24th best in the NFL.

· Rams QB Jared Goff has yet to recapture the downfield passing form he showed in 2018 on the way to the Super Bowl, though it’s likely just a matter of time until that happens. Last year, the Rams ranked fourth in passer rating on balls thrown more than 20 yards in the air, at 110.1, and they had the best completion rate on such passes, at 46.4%. So far this year, those numbers are 81.9, which ranks 23rd, and 33.3%, which ranks 22nd.

NEW FACES IN 2019
The Rams had a very talented roster heading into 2019, including a nearly intact returning group of starters, and they traded down three times before finally picking in the draft last spring. As such, there weren’t a large number of additions expected to make big impacts this season. However, they did find a new starter for the secondary and their sack leader is in his first year with the team.

1. S Eric Weddle. The Ravens released Weddle on March 7 and the Rams signed him just four days later. Weddle stepped directly into the Rams’ starting lineup, replacing Lamarcus Joyner, who was allowed to walk in free agency after a down 2018 campaign. Weddle, who had three Pro Bowl seasons in Baltimore after a long run in San Diego, brings a wealth of experience and a well-deserved reputation as a hitter to the Rams’ secondary.

2. OLB Clay Matthews. The Packers didn’t try to bring back their one-time sack king in free agency, instead signing Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith. The Rams were happy to give Matthews a two-year deal to see what was left in the tank, and are surely pleased with the team-high 4.0 sacks he has collected already.

3. QB Blake Bortles. Obviously, the Rams would be pleased if, unlike the two additions above, Bortles does not see the field much and Jared Goff remains healthy. Still, the team clearly wanted an upgrade at their backup QB spot in case Goff is ever unavailable, and Bortles likely inspires more confidence than Sean Mannion.

Trap game against Tampa Bay? Not for these ‘extremely focused’ Rams

Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/1247738/2019/09/27/trap-game-against-tampa-bay-not-for-these-extremely-focused-rams/

After three high-profile games to start the season, and a showdown against the rival Seattle Seahawks looming next Thursday night in the Pacific Northwest, the Rams find themselves in a bit of a predicament welcoming the one-win Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Coliseum on Sunday.

The game has all the makings of a trap game. But seven months into his tenure with the Rams, veteran safety Eric Weddle has already noticed something different about his new team. And it gives him confidence there is little chance the Rams are overlooking the Buccaneers.

“Normally, yeah. But this team is an extremely focused group,” Weddle said. “I said that from the minute I got here. We get the most out of every day. We don’t care about the limelight or who gets the pub. It’s about the team. It’s about all 11 guys playing together and being successful on defense and playing as one.

“We take that focus into meetings, when we’re hanging out, when we’re talking ball. … It’s always on our mind.”

That focus — along with the Rams not exactly satisfied with how they’ve played offensively — could set up a breakout situation against the Buccaneers in which the Rams finally put together a full four-quarter effort.

Also, it looks like right guard Austin Blythe and tight end Tyler Higbee are on track to return on Sunday after missing last week with ankle and chest injuries, respectively. Both players play important roles in the Rams’ run and pass games as blockers.

Here is a closer look at the matchup on Sunday (1:05 p.m. PT on FOX).

What happened last week?

The Rams used a decisive defensive effort and just enough second-half offense to beat the Browns 20-13 in Cleveland. Playing in one of the most anticipated games of the season, the Rams were able to slow down quarterback Baker Mayfield and star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. by getting pressure on Mayfield and eliminating Beckham’s big-play potential with a combination of sound cover schemes and great open-field tackling.

The Rams offense began the night slowly. But it rebounded in the second half to create just enough cushion to absorb a late push by the Browns.

The Rams hope to eliminate the slow offensive starts by being more mentally prepared at the outset of games — especially with the offensive line — and avoiding costly errors and penalties. Their solid second halves are proof they are well-equipped from a talent and execution standpoint. Now it’s just a matter of getting into a groove earlier.

Current state of the team

The Rams are happy to be 3-0, but they’re not satisfied. The slow offensive starts are the primary culprit for their lack of contentment, but the team’s issues have come from a combination of some surprising things — what opposing teams are doing defensively, the manner in which Todd Gurley is being used, the growing pains of young offensive linemen and Jared Goff not being sharp.

The Rams believe these problems can be solved, and they feel they’re closing in on the efficiency and rhythm that’s been missing thus far.

On the other hand, their defense has been excellent this season. Aaron Donald continues to wreak havoc, Weddle is providing steady leadership alongside young star John Johnson, and Clay Matthews and Dante Fowler Jr. are creating heat off the edge. Cory Littleton is off to another strong start at inside linebacker, too.

Pulse of the fanbase

In a sign that things have certainly changed in terms of expectations for the once-struggling Rams, their fanbase, much like the players within their own locker room, is simply not satisfied despite a 3-0 start.

The Rams can do better, and that is reflected in how their fans are reacting to a record that would have left them doing backflips a few years ago but now has them wondering what can be done to recapture the explosive level on offense from the last two seasons.

What’s been working

A rock-solid defense has been denying teams big plays, protecting the end zone and giving the offense enough time to find itself in the second half. It’s a formula that has worked in three straight wins so far, but it’s one they want to alter a bit by creating a much more efficient offense to start games.

One of the keys to the Rams preventing big plays is a fundamentally sound secondary that has minimized pass completions with crisp tackling. The leaders on that front have been safeties Taylor Rapp, Johnson and Weddle.

“People are going to throw the ball and catch the ball on you no matter what. You’ve got to make the play when the ball is thrown down the field, make the tackle at eight yards, instead of 15 or 20 or 25, whatever,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “We have some good tacklers on defense. John Johnson is an outstanding tackler. Rapp has come in — he’s got the right name — he wraps up.

“Weddle, they (the Browns) ran the draw on fourth-and-9 (and) everybody said, ‘Wow,’ but he came up and made a great tackle, his one-on-one tackle with their best back. We’ve tackled well.”

Weaknesses

The Rams’ young offensive line has simply not been up to par early in games, and the culprit has been some mental and assignment breakdowns that have curtailed production early in games. Some of that was to be expected as the Rams were breaking in new starters at left guard with Joe Noteboom and at center with Brian Allen.

Clearly, they’ll take the three wins during the transition process, but the Rams need to create more cohesion on the offensive line. They hope to take a step in that direction on Sunday.

“Speaking especially for the O-line, we have to do a better job preparing throughout the week,” right tackle Rob Havenstein said. “Whether that’s in the film room or — and it’s 100 percent on the players (because I) think we have a good plan that’s been sent down from our coaches — but you know, especially, we’ve got a lot of young guys right now and we need to take that next step and not have any surprises and not knowing assignments.

“We need to make it a technique game. Which is when we’re very good.”

Matchup to watch

I’m keeping my eye on the Rams offensive line vs. the Tampa Bay defensive line. So many of the Rams’ early offensive woes are the result of the offensive line simply not playing up to its potential.

X-factor

I feel like Marcus Peters might lure Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston into a couple of mistakes. He might even return an interception for a touchdown to break the game open.

The Rams win if …

… they protect Goff. If they do, he’ll take care of the rest.

Goff has been working under duress far too often. And while he showed against Cleveland he can make plays with his feet when needed, that is hardly the blueprint for success for the fourth-year quarterback. He’s at his best when he’s operating in clean pockets and making plays down the field.

Prediction

Rams 31, Buccaneers 16.

Game preview: Rams look to make it 4-0 against the Buccaneers | Rams official site
https://www.therams.com/news/game-preview-rams-buccaneers
The Los Angeles Rams (3-0) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-2) in the first meeting between the two teams since 2016. Kickoff from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is set for 1:05 p.m. pacific time. A win would improve L.A. to 4-0 under Sean McVay for the second time in three seasons.

Rams vs. Bucs: Who has the edge? | Orange County Register
link: https://www.ocregister.com/2019/09/27/rams-vs-tampa-bay-buccaneers-who-has-the-edge/
Which team has the edge on Sunday in regards to all three phases, and matchups to watch.

Rams Donald not kidding about needing more sacks LA Times
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2019-09-27/warning-buccaneers-rams-aaron-donald-not-kidding-needing-more-sacks
After placing his phone on the shelf of his locker Friday, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald turned to face reporters. Donald’s children were visible on the phone screen, and they were watching their father on FaceTime.

“They said they want five sacks,” Donald said, “so I got to get myself going.”

Everything you need to know for Bucs-Rams in Week 4 | Buccaneers official site
https://www.buccaneers.com/news/2019-game-preview-buccaneers-rams-week-4
The Rams will try to stay perfect in their conference title defense after a 3-0 start that includes two victories over Tampa Bay’s division foes, Carolina and New Orleans.

Wildflecken

1.) Rams must not look past Tampa with Seahawks on Thursday. With division contests must wins not as easy a task as it sounds.

2.) Tampa strength is their defense and Bowles is a very solid coordinator with a lot of experience against Rams and NFC West opponents.

3.) Oline needs a much better showing than last week. No matter the era this game is won and lost in the trenches. The offensive packages appearing limited to date in 2019 may very well be directly correlated to the coaching staff’s installs of the packages along the offensive line and when coaches feel they are ready to execute at the level needed for success the offense will expand.

Division contests are always a great time to unveil some new wrinkles in the offensive installs. Don’t expect many new wrinkles tomorrow but certain McVay will want to give Carroll some new looks to concern himself with on a short week.

4.) With Seahawks on Thursday, tomorrow would be a great time for Goff to catch fire. Despite his mild struggles it appears Goff is reading the field better in 19, loved the audible at line last week on the completion to Reynolds despite TO by sidelines. Loved the deep out in against that alignment to Reynolds allowing Goff to highpoint throw against double coverage, a read not possible with Cooks.

Goff is slowing earning the trust of McVay and when he does it will result in quicker execution and less time for the defense to adjust in all situations.

5.) Rams defensive backs could have a huge day tomorrow against Winston especially if offense opens 2 or 3 score lead and forces TB to the air. If pass rush has the showing they are capable of, it could be a 2 score day for defensive backfield against Winston who despite entering 5th season can still be baited into the bad throw when pressured