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January 17, 2015 at 3:12 pm #16753znModerator
Rams-related notes: Championship round
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/15523/rams-related-notes-championship-round-2
EARTH CITY, Mo. — We are down to the Final Four, and once again, the NFC West division and a two-time St. Louis Rams opponent is still standing and the prohibitive favorite to win the whole thing.
This week brings us the Seattle Seahawks hosting the Green Bay Packers for the NFC championship, and the New England Patriots hosting the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC title. The Seahawks are the only team remaining that played the Rams in 2014 after the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos were eliminated last week.
There are still some other ties and notes related to the Rams as we head into the penultimate week of games:
The Rams were 1-1 against the Seahawks this season, with that victory being one of the high points of their season. That was the game that included what I think was the best play of the Rams’ season — “The Mountaineer” — the creative and deceptive punt return that turned into a 90-yard touchdown jaunt by Stedman Bailey. It also included a fake punt late in the game to seal the victory. The Rams fell in the regular-season finale against the Seahawks as they were unable to overcome late turnovers.
There are three players who used to be Rams still standing in the championship round — Indianapolis cornerback Josh Gordy, and New England tight end Michael Hoomanawanui and receiver Danny Amendola. Amendola, who was once the Rams’ best receiver, had a big game last week against the Baltimore Ravens, finishing with five catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns, and averaging 25 yards per return on five kick returns. Hoomanawanui also chipped in four catches for 43 yards.
The Patriots also boast special teams ace Matthew Slater, who didn’t play for the Rams but is the son of legendary Rams offensive tackle Jackie Slater. The younger Slater is one of the best special teams performers in the league, and always worth watching when running down kicks and punts.
New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels spent one miserable season in the same role with the Rams. He returned to the Patriots before that 2011 season was even over and ascended to his current position once again.
It’s not breaking any new ground to say the Rams need help at the quarterback position, but one need only to look at the four signal callers left standing to understand the importance of the position in this league. One could argue that Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and Tom Brady are among the five or six best quarterbacks in the league, and they are all still playing. Make no mistake, they have plenty of help, but when things break down, having a top quarterback is a cure for a lot of ills. The bad news for the Rams is there doesn’t appear to be a solution near that caliber available to them this offseason.Here are this week’s predictions you didn’t ask for that are sure to be wrong:
Seattle over Green Bay: I offered further statistical explanation on this pick here, but I struggle to find ways for Green Bay to win this game barring a barrage of turnovers by the Seahawks. Nothing against Green Bay, as it is an excellent team, but Rodgers’ injury will just make it too difficult for him to have success against Seattle’s defense. At least not enough success to get a win. CenturyLink Field will be rocking, and the Seahawks will repeat as NFC champion.
New England over Indianapolis: It’s boring to go with both No. 1 seeds, but the Patriots also look like clear favorites here. Last week’s win against Denver was one of the few wins against a “good” opponent for the Colts this season, but even the Broncos didn’t look like a top team. The Colts should be able to put up a fight, and they have been playing better, but ultimately the Patriots’ ability to run the ball and stop the run will lead them back to the Super Bowl.
January 17, 2015 at 3:14 pm #16755znModeratorWhat’s your bet.
My bet is, …well I will tell you after the games.
January 17, 2015 at 7:10 pm #16760wvParticipantSeahawks vs Patriots.
O joy.
w
vJanuary 17, 2015 at 7:11 pm #16761ZooeyModeratorI think it will be Seattle and New England.
Which isn’t what I am hoping for.
I would prefer the Rams against the Raiders.
But I don’t see that as a realistic possibility at this point.
January 17, 2015 at 7:28 pm #16763bnwBlockedPackers and Patriots
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
January 17, 2015 at 8:03 pm #16768znModeratorJanuary 17, 2015 at 8:09 pm #16770HighPlainsDrifterParticipantAtrocious weather forecasted for both games would seem to favor the home teams. I’m gonna have to say Seattle/New England.
January 17, 2015 at 10:58 pm #16778NERamParticipantSeahawks vs Patriots.
Geeze, is there no end to this torment???
January 18, 2015 at 12:24 am #16779bnwBlockedSeahawks vs Patriots.
Geeze, is there no end to this torment???
I feel your pain. Good news is Packers will beat the Patriots too.
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
January 18, 2015 at 1:47 am #16780NERamParticipantSeahawks vs Patriots.
Geeze, is there no end to this torment???
I feel your pain. Good news is Packers will beat the Patriots too.
Well now. Ya see, NOW yer talkin’.
THAT is something I could latch on to.
I’ve got a little trouble seeing a compromised Rodgers beating Seattle at home. This is a much tighter team than the one the Rams beat earlier this year.
But yeah, if GB wins, then “Go Pack. Drive a dagger into the heart of the evil ones”.
One more time.
January 18, 2015 at 6:41 am #16787bnwBlockedWell now. Ya see, NOW yer talkin’.
THAT is something I could latch on to.
I’ve got a little trouble seeing a compromised Rodgers beating Seattle at home. This is a much tighter team than the one the Rams beat earlier this year.
But yeah, if GB wins, then “Go Pack. Drive a dagger into the heart of the evil ones”.
One more time.
I forgot to say I’m placing all bets on your credit card.
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
January 18, 2015 at 6:57 am #16788bnwBlockedWe have dissent in the ranks.
That always means trouble.
Might I choose my own pike? A black walnut one won’t clash with the color of my hair.
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
January 18, 2015 at 5:58 pm #16818znModeratorMight I choose my own pike? A black walnut one won’t clash with the color of my hair.
We’ll wait a bit on that.
Seems you were right.
That complicates things.
January 18, 2015 at 6:13 pm #16822znModeratorWe’ll wait a bit on that.
Seems you were right.
That complicates things.
Or, not.
Spoke too soon.
Overtime.
January 18, 2015 at 8:36 pm #16831NERamParticipantPilots on final approach to the Seattle Tacoma airport, radio in reports of seeing and smelling a multi hued cloud with a slightly fruity fragrance arising from CenturyLink field, as 67,000 sphincters relax earlier this afternoon.
January 18, 2015 at 8:55 pm #16832InvaderRamModeratorit’s gonna get really annoying…
January 18, 2015 at 9:19 pm #16833znModeratorI would say at this moment, with the Patz up 38-7 after Blunt’s TD, that the chances of a Packers/Colts superbowl are diminishing rapidly.
Just thought I would get that out there.
January 19, 2015 at 7:29 am #16847bnwBlockedPilots on final approach to the Seattle Tacoma airport, radio in reports of seeing and smelling a multi hued cloud with a slightly fruity fragrance arising from CenturyLink field, as 67,000 sphincters relax earlier this afternoon.
Fruity?
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
January 19, 2015 at 7:31 am #16848bnwBlocked<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>zn wrote:</div>
We’ll wait a bit on that.Seems you were right.
That complicates things.
Or, not.
Spoke too soon.
Overtime.
I had an enjoyable 58:30 of that game. Leaving 4-8 points off the scoreboard killed the Packers.
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
January 19, 2015 at 9:06 am #16853znModeratorI had an enjoyable 58:30 of that game. Leaving 4-8 points off the scoreboard killed the Packers.
Yeah that was not how I was hoping it would go.
January 19, 2015 at 9:20 am #16854wvParticipantThere’s one iron-clad immutable rule in pro football.
It was etched in stone eons ago:“Verily, Never take the Bengals or Colts seriously
come playoff time.”w
vJanuary 19, 2015 at 10:47 am #1686221DogParticipantThere’s one iron-clad immutable rule in pro football.
It was etched in stone eons ago:“Verily, Never take the Bengals or Colts seriously
come playoff time.”w
vVerily??
Is that some sort of West Va. lawyer talk?
January 19, 2015 at 2:10 pm #16878wvParticipantIs that some sort of West Va. lawyer talk?
As much as i hate to say it,
the Two best teams made the Super Bowl.Its an intriguing matchup.
Have those two teams played recently?
I have no inkling of which team will win.
If it was in Seattle, I’d say Seattle.
If it was in New England, I’d say New England.w
vJanuary 19, 2015 at 7:26 pm #16885NERamParticipantPilots on final approach to the Seattle Tacoma airport, radio in reports of seeing and smelling a multi hued cloud with a slightly fruity fragrance arising from CenturyLink field, as 67,000 sphincters relax earlier this afternoon.
Fruity?
Consumption of Skittles…
January 19, 2015 at 7:37 pm #16886znModeratorHave those two teams played recently?
2012. Same year as the Rams played the AFC East.
Game was in Seattle. Seahawks won 24-23 on a last minute TD (Wilson to Rice). They came back from being down 23-10 with 8 minutes remaining.
Now remember, this superbowl is more interesting for you than it is for Rams fans.
The superbowl is different if it’s your 2 favorite teams.
January 19, 2015 at 8:01 pm #16887NERamParticipantHave those two teams played recently?
2012. Same year as the Rams played the AFC East.
Game was in Seattle. Seahawks won 24-23 on a last minute TD (Wilson to Rice). They came back from being down 23-10 with 8 minutes remaining.
Now remember, this superbowl is more interesting for you than it is for Rams fans.
The superbowl is different if it’s your 2 favorite teams.
That was the game where Richard Sherman got in Bradys face after the game ended. Kind of launched his “bad boy” image, didn’t it?
January 19, 2015 at 8:50 pm #16891MackeyserModeratorI will rather watch Kitten Bowl 2 than this abomination of a sporting event.
Surely there will be other apocalyptic signs…
Or maybe Bane can simply destroy the stadium… heh…heheheh….hahahahaha….
I’d be happy a flock of buzzards flew over the stadium and pooped on the shiny helmets… after gorging themselves on roadkill from Interstates 10 and 15, the birds…almost too heavy to lift themselves, push themselves into the air. Finally having digested the bulk of the carrion, they see their target… shiny marbles moving in a large, loud bowl which is annoying. They unleash poop after poop…tens of thousands of very large buzzards… corporate folks, well to do families and the two football teams become just… battered in buzzard droppings.
Yeah… I’d watch THAT Super Bowl…
Sports is the crucible of human virtue. The distillate remains are human vice.
January 20, 2015 at 12:27 pm #16931bnwBlocked<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bnw wrote:</div>
Pilots on final approach to the Seattle Tacoma airport, radio in reports of seeing and smelling a multi hued cloud with a slightly fruity fragrance arising from CenturyLink field, as 67,000 sphincters relax earlier this afternoon.
Fruity?
Consumption of Skittles…
Ewwww
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
January 20, 2015 at 12:28 pm #16932bnwBlockedI will rather watch Kitten Bowl 2 than this abomination of a sporting event.
Surely there will be other apocalyptic signs…
Or maybe Bane can simply destroy the stadium… heh…heheheh….hahahahaha….
I’d be happy a flock of buzzards flew over the stadium and pooped on the shiny helmets… after gorging themselves on roadkill from Interstates 10 and 15, the birds…almost too heavy to lift themselves, push themselves into the air. Finally having digested the bulk of the carrion, they see their target… shiny marbles moving in a large, loud bowl which is annoying. They unleash poop after poop…tens of thousands of very large buzzards… corporate folks, well to do families and the two football teams become just… battered in buzzard droppings.
Yeah… I’d watch THAT Super Bowl…
I would too!
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
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