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znModeratorRankings the Rams' 4 potential opponents in the wild-card round https://t.co/DxJPzMg5qV pic.twitter.com/3u33XJCA9T
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) January 3, 2025
znModeratorRams OLB Jared Verse selected to 2025 Pro Bowl https://t.co/bRI6HztrBX
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 2, 2025
znModeratorPFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
13. Los Angeles Rams đđRanking all 32 offensive lines ahead of Week 18:
znModeratorThese ârecordsâ i hear about make me roll my eyes, sometimes.
w
vYes…in fact I think you have the record for eyerolls.
znModeratorI canât mount the effort required to format this article so it will appear properly here, so thereâs the link, if youâre interested.
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Jared Verse
LAR ⢠LB ⢠#8
TKL 65
SACK 4.5
PRSR 74Verse leads all rookies in pressures, and it’s not that close. Robinson is next on the list, and he’s TWENTY-TWO pressures behind. He’s fourth in total pressures, with only Myles Garrett, Jonathan Greenard and Trey Hendrickson ahead of him. His overall pressure rate of 16.7% is sixth in the NFL, via TruMedia, out of the 164 players who have rushed the passer 200 times or more. But he’s also not just been a pass rusher; he has 11 tackles for loss and his 34 run stops, per PFF, are more than twice as many as the next-closest rookie.
Braden Fiske
LAR ⢠DT ⢠#55
TKL 43
SACK 8
PRSR 48If it weren’t for Verse, Fiske would be getting a lot more attention. And Fiske actually has more sacks than Verse despite the fact that he plays on the interior while Verse works off the edge more often. His 48 pressures are more than twice as many as the next-closest interior rookie (Sweat) and his 26 run stops are almost most among that group.
Omar Speights
LAR ⢠LB ⢠#48
TKL 64
TFL 2Oh look, it’s another Rams rookie. L.A. felt so strongly about Speights that it move on from a former captain in Ernest Jones IV before the season even started, and once Speights entered the lineup in the wake of Troy Reeder’s injury, he has rewarded their faith with some really solid play.
Kamren Kinchens
LAR ⢠SAF ⢠#26
TKL 53
INT 4
PDEF 6
QBRTG 78.5If I was going to debase myself and put two Florida State players on this team, then I had to at least make up for it by putting my guy from The U on here. That said, Kinchens clearly deserves it based on his play. His two-interception game against the Seahawks, including a pick six, was his announcement to the world that he’s a force in the secondary. While Verse and Fiske wreak havoc up front, he cleans things up on the back end. Considering that he led the ACC in interceptions as both a sophomore and junior at Miami, we probably should have seen this coming.
znModeratorJ.B. Long@JB_Long
Puka not being a Pro Bowler is precisely why I resist the temptation to lean on those honors as a descriptor of the caliber of season/career a player had.znModeratorRodrigue quoting McVay: “I think itâs a great opportunity for Jimmy to be able to play”
I don’t like Garoppolo much and I don’t think McV can get more out of him than Shanahan did.
Seattle is 22nd in defensive yards per attempt rushing, so my hope for this game is that we see a lot of Corum (with Wms resting) and that he comes through.
znModeratorRams resting Matthew Stafford in Week 18; Jimmy Garoppolo to start
Jourdan Rodrigue
LOS ANGELES â Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will start against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 while Stetson Bennett is the backup, head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday.
Starter Matthew Stafford will be inactive in order to rest before the playoffs.
âWhat Iâve seen is just a guy (who) has approached it like a pro,â said McVay of Garoppoloâs role as backup all season. The Rams signed him to a one-year deal in free agency this spring. â(He has) been a great teammate. âŚ
âIf you said ârisk/rewardâ, I think itâs a great opportunity for Jimmy to be able to play (and) also I think itâs an awesome opportunity for Matthew to be able to get rested, rejuvenated and ready for the playoffs.â
Right tackle Rob Havenstein, who missed last weekâs game with a shoulder injury suffered in Week 17, will also miss Week 18. McVay said Havenstein is trending positively toward getting back on the field in the postseason.
McVay added that the team is still working through which players will play and who will rest â although because the game plan is built and set on Tuesdays, then adjusted throughout the week, itâs likely this has already been internally decided and is more so a gamesmanship move. McVay gave a good-natured chuckle when he was asked which day the staff expected to finalize inactive players. Wednesdayâs practice was a walk-through.
âI think we kind of have an inclination,â he said, âbut what I donât want to do is put the cart before the horse.â
Garoppolo has not played since the middle of the 2023 season, when he was benched while with the Las Vegas Raiders. He suffered a foot injury while with the San Francisco 49ers the previous season and had surgery after signing with the Raiders that spring. He said Wednesday that getting almost a full year of recovery/playing on scout team where he hasnât taken hits has benefited him.
âItâs exciting, (itâs) about time,â Garoppolo said. âGet out there with the guys and get some real football in! âŚ
âIt was a blessing in disguise, and I figured that out after the foot surgery. Getting your foot repaired is a lot different than all of the other injuries Iâve had. That one, it took a little while to get past that. (But) honestly since OTAs I havenât thought about it. ⌠Itâs a really nice feeling, not thinking about feeling pain in certain spots. Iâm glad to be back to normal.â
Last season when the Rams rested several starters in Week 18, backup Carson Wentz started against the 49ers and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur called the game. If LaFleur again holds that role on Sunday, he already has familiarity with Garoppolo from their time together in San Francisco.
Matthew Stafford will rest Week 18 in advance of the postseason. (Jayne Kamin / Imagn Images)
âMikeâs been cool, man, we go way back since my first time at Niners â he was one of the guys who kind of taught me that offense (and has been) teaching me this offense,â Garoppolo said. âHeâs just good people. Great people, man. Iâm really grateful for him. Iâm excited to get out there Sunday with him and get in this action.âThere are people within the Rams organization who hoped the team would be positioned in this manner, specifically in order to get a look at what Garoppolo is capable of within the offense.
Stafford restructured his contract after a long, though not acrimonious, offseason dispute and it now is effectively a one-year deal with the understanding that both sides will re-visit his future after this season. In a scenario in which Stafford is no longer a Ram (or he is, and gets injured), the team will need to know whether Garoppolo could be an effective (and cheap) bridge or a reliable backup after struggling to fill the latter role for the last few years.
January 1, 2025 at 7:59 pm in reply to: Just a thread for different kindsa interesting things #154387znModeratorRIP to USMC Cpl. John Kinsel Sr. He passed away at the age of 107. He was one of the last 3 remaining Navajo Code Talkers and served with the 9th Marine Regiment & 3rd Marine Division during the taking of Iwo Jima. Enjoy your rest Marine đşđ¸ 𫡠pic.twitter.com/sQ5giSvGtO
— Military Support (@MilitaryCooI) January 1, 2025
znModeratorPro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador@PFHOFAmbassador
Kobie Turner, @RamsNFL, made his 20th career start in Week 17. Turner has recorded 17 sacks, 18 TFL’s and 119 total tackles in his career. #RamsHouse #Rams #NFLznModeratorSo Green Bay is very likely to be headed to Philadelphia in the first round which is great. That will be the best game of the weekend
Good write up, z.
Except one thing. Sure, well-grounded football analysis is good, and all, but the truth is, a GB/Phil game pits 2 teams with green in their colors, and that makes it unwatchable.
Just offering a little perspective.
znModeratorWhat we learned from last nightâs Coach McVay Show:
đ Itâs Jimmy G time
đ Big Blake Corum game Sunday vs Seattle
đ Rob Havenstein will be ready for Wild Card
đ Expect John Johnson to be part of playoff roster https://t.co/PsHULJIScX— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) December 31, 2024
znModeratorLos Angeles Rams PR@TheLARamsPR
OL Steve Avila (@Stevelavila) has not allowed a sack, quarterback hit, pressure or hurry in consecutive weeks.According to @PFF, his 88.5 pass blocking grade in Week 17 vs. Arizona was the sixth-highest in the NFL and the second-highest among guards. It was the highest single-game pass blocking grade of his career.
znModeratorfrom https://www.the33rdteam.com/2024-nfl-week-18-power-rankings-lions-vs-vikings-set-for-top-5-matchup/
10. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
Previous Ranking: 13 Arrow UpThe Los Angeles Rams donât have many pretty wins on their resume, but they know how to win games late. That is what championship-caliber teams do.
The Rams have turned things around in the second half of the season and will be back in the postseason. How far can they go? That remains to be seen, but the fact that they will be hosting a home playoff game is pretty wild, considering how they started the year.
Next Game: Sunday, Jan. 5 vs. Seahawks
znModeratorIn the last three weeks, Kupp has just four receptions for 53 yards, and that includes a zero-catch game against the 49ers.
When Sean McVay was asked about his star receiverâs play as of late, he had this to say.
âI think heâs played well,â McVay said. âI think it really comes down to are we getting opportunities? The receiver position is unique because there are so many things that youâre relying on to be able to be a factor, protection⌠Does the coverage dictate me getting the football and am I getting the opportunity? With what he can control, I think heâs done a good job.â
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@speed_kills@speedk1lls
I thought the explosiveness was there prior to the ankle. Very similar to last year. Heâs hurting. and it showsznModeratorSean McVay talked to J.B. Long on the âCoach McVay Showâ about Nacuaâs second season and he agrees: Puka has been better in Year 2.
He explained why, and itâs not just because his stats are improved.
âI think so. I think thereâs been a consistency. I think thereâs an ability to understand and impact the game,â he said. âHe was tremendous last year and I think he was learning and growing. One of the things I love about him is the accountability that he always takes. I think heâs caught the ball consistently well. Heâs had a lot of different targets. I think heâs made some of these incredible catches. ⌠I think the body of work, the resume, the consistency, the understanding of how to take my game to another level. And then the attention he gets than what he got in his rookie year, and for him to still be able to produce the way that he did, to have the rapport heâs had with Matthew. Itâs been special, and I definitely think heâs gotten better in Year 2. And I donât think the stats is the best way to measure it. itâs what does the product look like snap in and snap out. Whatâs being asked of him? Heâs been a stud.â
znModeratorProFootballTalk@ProFootballTalk
Sean McVay: Resting starters “probably the direction we’ll go” this week. https://nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/sean-mcvay-resting-starters-probably-the-direction-well-go-this-weekznModeratorone question. what do the rams do with jonah jackson at the end of the season? is it feasible to cut him? or do you even want to cut him? keep him for depth
IMO? He costs too much to keep just as depth.
If they cut him they have 11+ M dead money, but save 3+ M. After June 1 it turns to 5+ dead, 9 saved.
But then there’s Noteboom too. If they cut him, they eat 10 M with no savings. After June 1, that turns to 5 dead 5 saved.
Teams are allowed up to 2 post-June 1 cuts.
December 31, 2024 at 6:35 am in reply to: around the league: more week 17 recap + setting up week 18 #154361znModeratorNFL Rumors@nflrums
The Detroit Lions go UNDEAFEATED on the road for the first time in team history..December 31, 2024 at 12:38 am in reply to: around the league: more week 17 recap + setting up week 18 #154358znModeratorNick Wagoner@nwagoner
#49ers QB Brock Purdy says his elbow âdoesnât feel the bestâ but initial testing showed that his UCL, which he tore in NFC title game two years ago, is OK.Matt Maiocco@MaioccoNBCS
Brock Purdy left the game late with a right elbow injury. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the initial thought it was a nerve thing.
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Ari Meirov@MySportsUpdate
#49ers QB Brock Purdy will undergo an MRI on his surgically repaired elbow Tuesday. He said his arm didnât feel great, describing it as âon fire,â and he was unable to throw on the sideline. UCL tests, however, came back fine.HC Kyle Shanahan said it might be a nerve issue, but tomorrow will tell the full story.
Ian Rapoport@RapSheet
With one game to go and an apparent nerve issue in his throwing elbow, Brock Purdy may have played his last down this season.znModeratoriâm also hoping they sign staley for new rams left tackle.
I agree, sign Stafford.
At OT, I would sign Jackson. Improved over last year, solid, knows the system. I would draft tackles though. 1 to replace Hav sooner if not later. They need OT depth. I would also argue that you don’t bring in a new FA to replace a young one who has been with you…keep your guy, and use FA money to bring in an outsider who fits a position where you have issues to fix.
Here’s PFF on Jackson. One of these comments is embedded in their take on the Steelers LOT, Dan Moore.
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-nfl-free-agent-rankings
46. T Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
The former undrafted free agent out of Iowa has settled in quite nicely over the past few years protecting the blindside of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, with a career year across the board in 2024 coming at just the right time.Top free agent comparison: Jared Veldheer, 2014
47. T Dan Moore, Pittsburgh Steelers
… Moore and Los Angeles Rams tackle Alaric Jackson stand to benefit as the young, potential multi-year solutions at left tackle who are hitting free agency.znModerator.@AZCardinals @RamsNFL @KKinchens5 with his 4th INT of tve season. Shows range and timing on this key 4-10 stop. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/lLaQU9xvDU
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 29, 2024
znModeratorThere are matchups where the Rams aren;t quite ready to win yet, no matter how well they play. Thatâs just how I see it.
Yeah, I think thatâs true. But you asked for one good game, and I think we will get it. We might get two. Depending on what you mean by âgood.â
I think the window we are looking it ranges from âCrappy game against Seattle, followed by a thumping like the one they got from Philadelphiaâ on the low end, to âSome things to really like about the Seattle game, followed by a valiant effort in the Divisional Round, but ultimately just not enough.â Thatâs what I think the bell curve looks like to me. Iâm sure there are other multiverses out there in which things end far worse or far better, but I expect that to be the low side/high side of the next couple of weeks.
We’re just tabulating this somewhat differently. I am counting as a good, watchable game as one they win with the starters. They could play well in a playoff loss, but my own private “what I want to watch” meter isn’t counting that.
On this, I am being a spoiled fan, exercising the god-given right of every spoiled fan to bitch and whine a bit. đ It’s actually kind of liberating.
znModeratorThere are reasons. There are factors. And there is no reason to think those factors will be in place 2 weeks from now. The game will be in LA. They have a âbye,â basically. They can focus their film study and game-planning on potential playoff opponents, and give some recovery time to anybody who has a health issue. Why wouldnât they play their best game of the season on that day? They are healthier than theyâve been all year.
You’re talking about the playoff game (round 1). Well as I said, it depends on who they get. There are matchups where the Rams aren;t quite ready to win yet, no matter how well they play. That’s just how I see it.
znModeratorHe didnât age 10 years after the Buffalo game. He didnât forget how to play. Heâs had pretty good protection. So, heâs hurt. Maybe he got a bad bruise in his shoulder, or fractured his ring finger, or something. In which case⌠you know⌠he could be fine in two weeks.
I’m with you. The Buffalo and Minnie games stand out as exceptions to this “Stafford doddering on the edge of geriatric collapse” argument.
I propose that we vote against znâs proposal for a good game against Seattle, and instead put Stafford on ice until next Monday, then fire him up.
I didn’t propose that. I assume Stafford will be out against Seattle. That just means the final game is less fun for me. I didn’t argue that Stafford should play in that game. I just accepted that he isn’t but then lamented that that comes close to meaning the end of fun to watch games.
Of course he should rest. It would be stupid not to do that. But…the game is, then, less watchable, for me anyway.
My hope for one more good game would be if they win in the first playoff round. That depends on who they play, I think.
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znModeratorHosting the Lions would be interesting. But i cant see the Rams beating âanyâ of those teams right now. Maybe the Commanders.
A couple of weeks ago, I feared the Packers, Bucs, and Eagles the most. But that was before the Rams went on a 3TD splurge over 3 games against 3 teams that arenât making the playoffs. I donât know what to make of it. But it sure doesnât look like a team you have much hope for.
Still. Our boy McVay is a good coach, and he doesnât have to worry much about the Seahawks. He can use that as a scrimmage game, and focus on his possible Wild Card opponents. I mean⌠you give the Rams a bye week, and they come back with things corrected.
They beat Minnesota and Buffalo. They must have an “on” button somewhere.
znModeratorI don’t really look forward to this that much. I don’t like watching the 2s in a meaningless game, and then that could be quickly followed by a Rams playoff defeat, depending on who they get in the first round (not their year). So if it goes that way–a 2s game followed by a playoff loss–the next good Rams game we get to see will be next September. Unless they win their 1st playoff game, which depends on who they play. That could be a win and a good watch, depending.
I just want one good game before the season ends.
They could do a lot between now and September and field a real contender in 2025. Need to draft and/or sign an OT, a CB or 2, an ILB, and probably a fast receiver. Which is all do-able.
znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
The Rams will be the NFC No. 3 seed and host the No. 6 seed Wild Card weekend (Commanders or Packers) with:1) A win/tie vs Seahawks
OR
2) Buccaneers loss/tie vs Saints
Otherwise, Rams will be the No. 4 seed and host Lions/Vikings loser on Wild Card weekend
znModeratorPeter Schrager@PSchrags
The @Rams needed help from the Commanders, Bills, and Vikings today.Former Rams:
– Dante Fowler had two sacks for Washington in their W
– Von Miller had a sack for the Bills in theirs
– Cam Akers had the game-sealing catch for Minnesota in theirsznModeratorLos Angeles Rams PR@TheLARamsPR
The Rams are just the 14th team in NFL history to make the playoffs are starting the season 1-4. -
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