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znModeratorThis asshole doesn’t think he work for us. Shitty person in a shitty suit. https://t.co/7LWwtVYk2a
— Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) January 5, 2021
znModeratorSeattleRams@seattlerams_nfl
UDFA: Troy Hill, Troy Reeder, Darious Williams6th Round: Sebastian Joseph-Day, Jordan Fuller
4th Round: Kenny Young,
Half of the number one defense in the league came to the NFL in the 4th round or later. That’s pretty impressive.
Sosa K@QBsMVP
Don’t look now, but the Rams have THREE (3) cornerbacks inside the top-18 overall grades
@PFF:4th. Darious Williams – 80.0
8th. Jalen Ramsey – 79.7
18th. Troy Hill – 74.2Shoutout Troy Hill who’s playing some of the best ball of his career and has been awesome this season.
znModeratorBearlyThere
Background: Longtime Cal fan here with deep roots with the Rams from my Father and Grandfather. I’ve become a big fan watching almost every game since Goff was drafted.
Note: I also follow all the Cal players into the pros like Goff and Rodgers. Did a stint as a sideline reporter at Cal during my time there when we were lucky enough to have Aaron Rodgers and Marshawn Lynch at the same time.
As someone who has watched Goff over the last 8 years I want to peel apart what is Goff versus what is McVay.
Overall I think McVay is a VERY good coach that builds a strong culture and team. Is he a perfect fit for Goff? Probably not, with the caveat that there probably aren’t too many better places for Goff and the Rams would likely have a tough time getting a QB as good as I think Goff can be.
Goff Background
I agree that Goff has taken a step back the last several games. He is playing more tentative and is forcing bad throws. Has Goff peaked? I don’t believe so. It looks to me like he is overthinking and suffering from mental lapses. How do I know?
1. At Cal, Goff was awesome at both the quick pass game and deep game. He was never a “Check-down Charlie”.
2. He led us on so many 4th quarter comebacks with ice in his veins. If we lost, it was our defense or the receiver missing a catchable ball.
3. Countless times he led 50 second drives when we needed a quick score. This is very rare under McVay…(see below)
4. At Cal, Goff was often a slow starter but would get stronger as the game wore on. He didn’t suffer from mental breakdowns in the 4th quarter like previous quarterbacks or the competition.
5. His offensive line at Cal was horrible. They ran a vertical set and he rarely had time. He would maneuver and get the ball out quickly. Something he did well in 2018 but not as well this year.
6. Goff was money against pressure in college. Someone can look up the stat. All I could find was this espn article Jared Under Pressure Meaning Goff at one time was good against pressure: https://www.espn.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/28783/pocket-presence-performance-under-pressure-make-jared-goff-a-fit-for-ramsMcVay Observations
Once again, I think he is a VERY good coach! Rams are lucky. 4 straight winning seasons. Superbowl appearance. Should he be OC too? Maybe not.
1. Under McVay, the rams have been mostly poor in the 2 minute drill. Goff was terrific at 2minute. No Huddle? No problem! It also shows when the Rams are down that they struggle to score quickly. Is this intentional? Does McVay want to keep time of possession to protect the defense? All short-route YAC receivers? Is the goal 10 play drives all the time?
2. He always spends every second talking to Goff until the 15 second mark. Part of what makes McVay a top coach is that he prepares his team very well. He has notes for all players all the time. He drafts/recruits football junkies that care like he does about the nuances. Is this too much for Goff to process 60 plays a game every game? Is he overcoaching Goff to the point of analysis paralysis? I tend to think this is the case. The way to confirm would be to see if Wolford or whatever future QB suffers the same climb then drop after a few years of McVay. Anyone who has followed McVay with Griffin/Cousins, did the same climb and drop-off occur?
3. Redzone problems. Goff was never Rodgers in the redzone but he was pretty good at Cal. McVay on the other hand was not at Washington. I think this is more play calling and formation. If you have a huge TE/possession WR you can throw those fades. Gives you more power-blocking options as well or add another lineman.
4. Control freak? One of the most interesting things I thought to happen was Matt LaFleur leaving after one season. I think I read it was because he wanted to call plays? Now he is HC at Green Bay and they have done very well. Aaron Rodgers appreciates him overall especially versus that hack McCarthy. There’s been a different Offensive coaching staff aside from McVay every single year at the Rams. That could explain some of the inconsistency for Goff.
How much of losing coaches is McVay’s Personality versus guys getting poached like Zac Taylor?
Overall I suspect that McVay is over-coaching at times. He struggles to manage the clock and it results in a lot of penalties/delay of game. It doesn’t give Jared a lot of freedom to get a play, go the line and take advantage of what he sees. He often has about 10 seconds to get the play out, look around and go. Sean’s primary goal on every play appears to try and take advantage of matchups. The problem is that great defensive coaches have learned how to disguise the matchups and trick the rams.
Goff with another team next year?
I feel like there are very few places where Goff would do better simply because of the team Snead and McVay have built. The OL is mostly young and getting better. They have good playmakers. Defense is awesome. Hope we keep Staley.
Coaches where he would probably do better:
– Payton New Orleans (hate that guy but a good coach).
– Shanahan SF (he puts his players at physical risk but a darn good coach)
– LaFleur GB
– Reich Indy
– Daboll Bills (Not sure but I feel like Allen was way more raw and playing very well).Rams better without Goff?
Very hard to say. I enjoyed Wolford very much this week and had a feeling he was a hidden gem based on AAF performance and preseason. He looks like more of a gamer and his feet obviously add a dimension. OTOH, Three times in that game he took a HARD hit to the head while diving forward (once he was sliding). He won’t last a season if that keeps up. Teams will also adjust to his running abilities making him less effective over time.
If it were me, I’d play Wolford against the Seahawks as he will change the playbook and make it harder on the Seahawks. McVay can’t over-coach him much yet. He only has one game of film. Re Goff, I don’t see how anyone that had both a fracture and dislocation on their throwing hand could be ready in ~12 days to play a professional football game. Sit and rest Goff unless Wolford hurt. Heck if you have Bortles he could be your backup to Wolford for a game or two.
My hope for this year is Goff is back for the NFC title or Super Bowl and wins!
My hope for next year for is McVay to find an OC that he trusts to give the reigns to and they keep Goff and win a back-to-back Super Bowl!znModeratorJets and Chargers request to interview Brandon Staley for head coaching jobs https://t.co/N0V0nynSaV
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) January 5, 2021
znModerator🐺🐺🐺
John Wolford's best plays from his first NFL game! pic.twitter.com/cq5UEDVxq4
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 5, 2021
znModeratorRamsFanSince69
A’Shawn Robinson had a couple HUGE plays
First getting held by #67 so bad that the ref had to call holding in the end zone for a safety. Second, blocking that ‘gimme’ FG. That’s 5 points as a defender/special teamer. Way to bring it, big fella! (Especially with Brockers out)
znModeratorThe Rams need to give Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) an end-zone fade 😂. Look at him high-point this ball! One of the dopest INT's that didn't count. pic.twitter.com/afQzREh1ac
— Sosa K (@QBsMVP) January 4, 2021
znModeratorNotable offensive PFF grades from Rams W17 win:
Mundt 84.6*
Blythe 71.3+
Noteboom 71.1^
Wolford 70.8
Jefferson 66.1~*Career-high; they loved his run-blocking
+7th game in the 70s this year
^Career-best at LT
~Season-high 44 snaps. Played 40+ in both ARI wins. pic.twitter.com/E24bRwi5pR— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) January 4, 2021
znModeratorI say, we go with Bulger.
Bulger’s the one they traded to the Chiefs after Martz came out of retirement and took their head coaching job, right?
Bulger’s okay, but I never liked the phantom sack.
..
znModeratorI agree on the goal line offense. Goff in his last 8 games has 9 INTs and lost 4 of his 5 fumbles ran for 59 yds on 27 ATT with Kupp playing
Wolford ran for 57 yards on 6 ATT converted 4 for 1st downs without Kupp game saved. The Goff being able to play is complicated imo Goff will say he’s ready no matter what that’s his mind set and has served him well for the most part but has affected decision making ability. Cold damp Seattle weather isn’t typically a good condition for healing broken bones . Also Breese didn’t play all that great after 5 weeks rehab with the same injury.I don’t consider the fumbling an issue. That was 2 games. In those 2 games, Goff held the ball to make plays when it was smarter to throw it away or take a sack. (One fumble came from not sliding on a run and trying to be a running back). Since those 2 games Goff throws it away, bails, or takes the sack. His major issues came from pressing when things broke down. Just trying to make plays, often when he shouldn’t.
Here;s the thing about Goff’s bad games. Some people take then as indicative and I don’t see them that way at all–they consist of fixable issues. Which is why, for example, when facing the same problems with a DL attacking the Rams OL, Goff has NOT been fumbling or throwing INTs at a high rate. So against Miami and SF, he was pressing and the issues happened, and against the Jets and Seattle, the same issues did not happen (strip sacks etc) even though in both games their DLs were dominating the Rams OL. I don’t take 4 bad games by Goff as “indicative of who he is,” I just take them as bad games.
Outside those 2 games, Miami and SF, Goff doesn’t fumble and he throws less that an INT a game. Maybe Wolford will equal that, but so far he’s one a game. So far against the same defense, Arizona, Goff shredded them and was converting 3rd downs at a very high rate. Wolford wasn’t as good against ARZ but then that was his first start. Wolford had to convert some 3rd downs by risking the qb’s body in running 😎 … Goff threw for them.
Whether or not Goff can play is not up to him. He gives the Rams the best chance against Seattle of the 2 qbs. I mean if you think that Wolford running the ball will work against Seattle the way it did against Arizona, then look back at whether Murray got any yards running against them the last time they played (it was 15 yards on 5 carries and when it comes to being a running qb, Murray is better than Wolford). BUT if Goff can’t go–and it will not matter what HE says, that’s up to the trainers–Wolford may provide enough to get a tough, defense-heavy victory.
znModeratorLMU93
Just looking at their final team stats. Some notes:
– Rams made the postseason for the 30th time, tying Minnesota for 5th most in league history (behind GB, DAL, NYG and PIT).
– Rams finished with a positive Points Differential (+76) for the 4th consecutive year, the first time they have done that since 1983-86. If they can do it for a 5th time next year it would be the first since 1976-80.
– Rams finished 7-1 when they had an even or positive turnover differential and 3-5 when it was negative.
– Goff set a career high with 67.0% completions and most all his numbers were improved over 2019. But his YPA (7.2) and yards/completion (10.7) were his lowest under McVay.
– Cam Akers 625 yards rushing were 8th most by a Rams rookie RB. The Rams 2,018 rushing yards were 2nd most under McVay and also only the 5th time they have surpassed 2,000 as a team in the last 30 years.
– Rams finished with two 90+ reception WRs in Kupp and Woods but without a 1,000-yard receiver for the first time since 2017. Their yards/reception were both career lows. Josh Reynolds and Gerald Everett, both 2021 UFA, each set career highs in receptions and yards.
– Rams 53 sacks as a team were among their most ever (4 behind the franchise record of 57 in 1985 and 1999).
– Kudos to Matt Gay who came in and steadied the Rams’ poor kicking situation. 14/16 FG including 7/8 from 40+.
– Johnny Hekker had a better year for punts downed inside the 20 (41.2%) than 2019 but his gross and net punting average were both the lowest of his 9-year career. Opposing punt returners averaged 12.9 yards/return, by far the most in Hekker’s career.
znModeratorRams get exactly what the wanted – a rematch with the Seahawks in the playoffs next Saturday. But big questions remain whether Jared Goff will be available or if the Rams will need to go with John Wolford again. https://t.co/m4b3g7XxsD
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) January 4, 2021
znModeratorChris Mortensen@mortreport
This is the most negative barrage of comments I have received about a game’s lack of integrity and that’s not even counting Giants-related bias.Cameron Wolfe@CameronWolfe
Confused at the outrage about the Eagles. They said during the week they planned to play Nate Sudfield & did exactly that for a Q. He happened to be bad. Steelers rested more players with more to play for. Every team manages their own personnel. Why should Philly care about NYG?znModeratorColumn: John Wolford's mobility, vision and composure give them no choice…Even if Jared Goff is healthy, Rams need to start Wolford in playoffs https://t.co/ipQEc3BzdV
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) January 4, 2021
znModeratorGoff loses that game. With the OL sleep walking Wolford saved the day with his wheels. Goff without Kupp behind A slumping OL with a broken thumb when he was already struggling with ball security seems like a disaster waiting to happen. Let the hags game plan for Wolford. Another week with the ones could only help.
Against ARZ, Wolford was able to convert a couple of third downs running. Against ARZ, the Goff-led Rams converted 60% of their third downs, a rate that across 16 games would lead the league by a wide margin. Meanwhile, in his last 4 games, Goff has had 3 INTs. In his only game, Wolford had 1 INT. Against a much tougher defense, Seattle, Rams scored 9 offensive points. Same with Wolford against the comparatively less challenging Arizona defense.
My own feeling is this. If Goff is physically able to play against Seattle, he goes. In which case I root for him. If Goff is not physically able to go against Seattle, Wolford goes. In which case I root for him.
What I hope improves is the goal line offense, which was a problem in both of the last 2 games.
…
January 4, 2021 at 1:10 am in reply to: Rams Press Conferences after beating Cards … vids & transcripts #126330znModeratorHead Coach Sean McVay, QB John Wolford — January 3, 2021
***
Head Coach Sean McVay
(Opening Remarks)
“Great team win right there. I just can’t say enough about the defense, the way that they played. To be able to come away with a safety, a scored touchdown that gave us the lead, to be able to get the blocked field goal, they are unbelievable all day. They’ve been unbelievable all year. They’ve really been the strength of this team and I thought they showed up in a big way. Offensively, I think we’ve got to do a much better job of finishing drives in the red area. I liked the way we moved it. I thought after the first throw of the game, (QB) John Wolford was the star offensively. He made plays. We have to continue to make plays around him. I just thought his movement, his athleticism, some of the things where he recognized coverage, he’s hitting (RB) Cam Akers, he’s hitting (TE) Tyler Higbee down the sidelines when corners are kind of coming off and not honoring the deep part of the field. This guy’s resilience showed up in a big way. I was really impressed with him. But I was proud of this team. I thought (P) Johnny Hekker came up in a big way, being able to just pin them deep, kind of playing a field position game. But ultimately, we’ll take the win. I’m really proud of this team. They responded the way that I thought that they would and to be able to get 10 wins and then to get ourselves a chance to get in the tournament, that’s all you can ask for.”(On if quarterback John Wolford will be the starting next week when they play the Seattle Seahawks)
“You know what, we will talk about that, but I thought he did a great job today. He made plays. I know there is guys around him that are capable of making some of those and I expect those guys to be able to do that but I thought that he really gave us a chance offensively with the amount of plays that he made in the pass game with his legs, athleticism, being able to extend things, I thought he was outstanding against a really tough defense that came ready to go. I was really pleased with John.”(On how much quarterback John Wolford’s running changed the game)
“I thought it really got us going. You look at the one drive where we ended up having to settle for a field goal. The thing that really is disappointing, but the guys continue to battle, is when you end up having two red zone drives. We’re, in essence, inside the two-yard line and you only come away with 3 points total. We’ve got to be better than that. But I thought on the first scoring drive that we did have, (QB) John (Wolford’s) ability to extend on the 3rd down and 10, convert with his legs, that’s a big winning edge for us. That was a factor all day and you can just see some of the different things that you’re able to do with him really showed up and I thought he did a great job.”(On when quarterback John Wolford was off schedule, what he saw from him)
“I think his ability to see the field and extend plays. The one that stands out to me is the first 3rd down and 10 conversion, where he dropped back, he kind of gets flushed, they play a split-safety zone, gets flushed to his left and then ends up being able to put his foot in the ground and convert. Some of those things are bigtime deals. Even just being able to extend some of the bootlegs where he finds (WR) Van Jefferson on the cross, or where typically those things, the ball kind of has to come out. So, I thought it showed up in a big way really on all three downs. He gave us a chance in a big way today.”(On quarterback John Wolford giving energy and life to the sideline)
“Yeah, you heard the way the guys talked about him all week. I think the one play that I really felt the sideline was in the four-minute when he ends up running the zone, when he ends up running the zone read and puts his shoulder down and gives us a first down. So that, in essence, when they get the ball back there’s 29 seconds and no timeouts. He did a great job, but those were the kind of plays that he made really all day. I thought it was impressive the way that he responded. Not the ideal first pass for him, but I did think that sometimes you can really learn a lot about guys with how they respond. I thought he settled in nicely. In essence, we really put the game in his hands offensively and I thought he did a nice job. We want to come away with more points but sustaining drives, keeping the defense off the field with the way they were playing all day, I was really pleased with John.”(On how much it changed his confidence when quarterback John Wolford threw the quick pick to start the game)
“It really didn’t. He has a nice way about himself. He thought he saw something. It was just a little mistake. And then we came back to a very similar play and he got the look that we wanted and ripped it to (WR) Josh Reynolds on a bigtime slant from the two-spot in an empty. So, I think it didn’t change much other than putting our defense in a tough spot to start the game after they end up getting the first stop of the game. He learned from it, but it didn’t change my confidence in him, and I think you could see that with the way that we called the game.”(On how he feels about playing the Seattle Seahawks next week)
“I think they’re a great team who I respect, but I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to go compete and see if we can put our best game plan together, go lay it out there in all three phases, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. I can’t wait to get started on it.”(On how he feels they ran the football today)
“Really outside of (QB) John (Wolford), I didn’t think we ran the ball particularly well. I didn’t think we got great movement. I have to do a better job of making sure that I’m activating certain plays. (QB) John (Wolford) averaged 9.3 per carry. Other than that (RB) Malcolm (Brown) had 3 for 20. He had a big-time 3rd and long conversion and then the other ones were kind of in those longer yardage situations. But, (RB) Cam (Akers) had 19 carries, some tough yards, but we have to do a better job of creating movement and giving a little bit more space and that’s not exclusive to the players. It starts with me with some of the play selections.”(On if it’s important to get rushing attempts)
“I think so. Running the clock, being able to keep our defense off the field with the way that they were able to just get them off the field on third down time in and time out, the way they were really able to hold them, kind of became more of a possession-type game. But like I said, we expect to win some of these games moving forward, going to Seattle next week, we have to finish those drives in the red area. That was something that hurt us when we played them the previous week and that’s going to be a big focal point, point of emphasis, and I trust that we’ll get it fixed.”(On if he expects quarterback Jared Goff will play next week)
“I’m not sure on that right now.”(On what it means for his team to get back to the playoffs)
“It’s great. I love this team. It has certainly been a lot of highs and then there has been some tough times that we had to really navigate through, but I love the way that the team handled this week. I love the way they rallied around (QB) John (Wolford). Some of the absences, you talk about missing (WR) Cooper Kupp, (DT) Michael Brockers, (RB) Darrell Henderson going down, (QB) Jared (Goff). So, those are some big shoes to fill. We’ve had (OT) (Andrew) Whitworth absent for the last handful of weeks since the first Seattle game. I just love the way guys have stepped up, raised their level of play. They did that today and it ultimately enabled us to get our 10th win to get in this thing. Now let’s go see if we can do something special.”(On going back to Seattle, and what kind of opportunity that is)
“Unbelievable. I don’t think you can ask for much more. Great team in our division, we know each other, and I’m excited to be able to go up there and give it our best shot.”***
QB John Wolford
(On how he was able to bounce back from the early interception)
“That was a bad throw, bad decision. I held my eyes for a second trying to get an in-breaker on some leverage. You can’t make that throw but it was almost like once I threw it, I settled in. Learn from that, watch the film and then move on.”(On what his experience was like in his first NFL start)
“I had a lot of fun to be honest. A little anxious going in if I’m being 100% honest. Once I got rolling, I was just playing football again. It was fun that we got to the win. There’s obviously a ton of room for improvement. I missed a few throws, got to convert in the red zone, but overall, I’m just happy we got the win. We’re in the playoffs and moving on to the next game.”(On the third down run shortly after the interception)
“Once I came out after that pick, I felt good. I told them on the sideline ‘Hey, I’m good, don’t worry about me.’ I had that throw to (WR) Van (Jefferson), missed him by a foot but I was seeing the field better and then converted that first down. They were in two man and didn’t have anyone for me. Just got in a rhythm and we were just moving the ball efficiently throughout the day. Obviously, again I keep saying this, we have to convert in the red zone. I felt good out there. I felt comfortable. I didn’t feel overwhelmed.”(On the frequency of empty backfields in the game plan)
“Yeah I enjoy being in empty. I like being able to see the field, how bodies disperse so that was something we felt like was an advantage for us so we activated it a good amount today and it worked out well.”(On what family was watching the game and what conversations we like leading up to the game)
“Obviously my parents, my aunt and uncle, who I’m extremely close with, my brother and my sister. I think everyone in my family. I’m the third youngest of 18 cousins. I’m sure everyone was tuned in. I had texts during the week. I have to respond to my texts. I have like 350 texts that I haven’t responded to so I’ll do that on the ride home.”(On if his mobility helps him settle into games)
“I think getting hit is a good thing sometimes to get you settled into a game. When I activated those runs, got a first down there on that 3rd down, it just felt good. It’s something where I have the athleticism to do it and if it helps us win, I’m going to do it.”(On his expectations for what happens next week with the starting quarterback situation)
“No. I’m here to do a job. I have no idea where he’s at. I’m just trying to enjoy this win and then I’ll put my head down and work on Seattle starting tomorrow but no info on that.”(On the celebrations after making the playoffs and if it was different than it would be for any other game)
“Well I’ve never won a game, so I don’t know what the normal congratulations feels like. If that’s my first one, then I’ll use that as a barometer and let you know if it changes.”(On what gave him the composure to tell his teammates that he was good on the sideline moments after throwing his first interception)
“I just knew that I prepared well. I felt good throwing the ball. The ball was spinning out of my hand and it almost like settled me in, in a weird way. I remember when I was in high school, we were playing a good team and I threw a pick the first play of the game and then came back and played great, so I was kind of thinking about that. That’s football, there is ups and downs, you’re going to make bad decisions. (QB) Jared (Goff) always says this thing to me, he says, ‘Pace, it’s performance after a critical error.’ You just kind of reset yourself and move onto the next play because you can’t change what just happened.”(On if he can tell how much his teammates rallied around him today)
“Absolutely, yeah. I think the defense played unbelievable. We got a block on special teams, guys were fired up, we had energy throughout the entire game. I’m grateful for all the guys that stepped up and made plays. It was a team win across the board and I just love this organization. I’m happy they have given me a shot.”(On if he has decided if he’s going to delete his LinkedIn account)
“You know I said that almost as a joke. If I’m being smart, the reality is football ends at some point, hopefully it’s in 20 years. So, I’ll probably keep it active. I’m 1-0 with it active so we’ll just keep it up.”(On how the team fixes the red zone inefficiency and what was working for him on deep passes to complete three 20-plus yard completions)
“To your first question, red zone efficiency, we’ve got to go back to work. We can’t have penalties, we’re on second-and-1 on the one and then we take two penalties to go to second-and-11. When you get on that 10, 11-yard range, it’s hard because the field condenses and then it’s like, ‘Do you run it on first down and then it’s second-and-8.’ I have to be better down there. I had a misread there. I threw one out the back of the endzone where I had (TE) Gerald (Everett) when they were in cover zero and then there were things that I could have done better to make us more efficient. You go back, you watch the film. You learn from it and then you move on. There were a few times where their corners were a little jumpy on some out-breakers, trying to make some plays off my eyes and I had a pretty good feel for it and I saw them trigger and both times we were able to hit (TE Tyler Higbee) ‘Higgs’ on one and then (RB) Cam (Akers) on the other down the sideline. A few throws I wish I had back, but all in all we got the win and I’m happy with that.”(On what winning a regular season NFL game with a lot on the line does for his confidence going forward)
“It definitely helps with the anxiety before the game. I just feel like you’re always like, ‘I can play, I can play, I can play.’ But until you do it, there’s a little bit of apprehension, if I’m being candid. I felt great out there, started making plays. It’s one game, but I know the next time I play I’ll have half the amount of nerves and I’m grateful for that to be honest.”znModeratorPFF ReFocused: Los Angeles Rams 18, Arizona Cardinals 7
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2020-week-17-pff-refocused-los-angeles-rams-18-arizona-cardinals-7
The Los Angeles Rams leaned on their defense and special teams to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 18-7, sending Sean McVay back to the postseason for the third time in four seasons. The Cardinals are going home after skidding to 2-5 in their last seven games.
STORY OF THE GAME
Sloppy execution by both offenses kept the game close through the first half. Rams QB John Wolford threw an interception on his first career pass, which led to a Cardinals touchdown on a short field. Cam Akers fumbled on the verge of reaching the goal line, but the Cardinals’ offense committed a holding penalty in the end zone for a safety on the following drive.
Kyler Murray exited the game in the first quarter with an injury, and backup Chris Streveler threw a pick-six right before halftime. Troy Hill returned the interception 84 yards for a touchdown.
Wolford looked adequate, considering he has not taken a single NFL snap since the 2019 preseason. He flashed during his stint as the starting quarterback of the Arizona Hotshots in the short-lived AAF, leading the league in passer rating from a clean pocket (114.0).
The Cardinals’ pass-rush put Wolford through the ringer today with pressure on 35.7% of his dropbacks. The Rams’ signal-caller found a way to nullify some of the heat he faced with his mobility, scrambling for 24 of his 56 rushing yards. The Wake Forest grad finished his college career with more than 1,100 yards on the ground.
The Rams defense is the second-highest-graded unit in the NFL (83.1), and it is the main reason this team could make a run at the Super Bowl. Jalen Ramsey continues to be a bad matchup for DeAndre Hopkins, spanning all the way back to their time in the AFC South. For the season, Ramsey has allowed three receptions for 20 yards on 11 targets as the primary defender in coverage against Hopkins.
Despite the Rams’ pass-rush failing to affect Streveler, the Cardinals’ QB committed three turnover worthy plays upon first review. Wherever he went with the ball, he had a difficult time finding completions. Not a single Rams defender surrendered more than 35 yards in coverage.
ROOKIE WATCH
Akers may have finished the game with only 34 yards rushing on 21 attempts, but his role appears to have changed — he functioned as a dynamic pass-catcher out of the backfield. Akers caught every single one of his targets, including a huge chunk play for 38 yards. Teammate Van Jefferson played 42 snaps on offense with four receptions for 40 yards.
znModeratorMike Garafolo@MikeGarafolo
Doug Pederson says the decision to play Nate Sudfeld was his. “I was coaching to win.” Says Sudfeld has been here with the #Eagles a few years and deserved snaps.Chris Mortensen@mortreport
This is the most negative barrage of comments I have received about a game’s lack of integrity and that’s not even counting Giants-related bias.
Consensus from those in NFL and who have been associated with it: Disgrace.
That’s not the fault of the Washington Football Team.znModeratorznModeratorznModeratorI know the tape is bad, and vaccination is behind schedule and we’re going to pass 400,000 deaths (!) by Inauguration Day, but just remember how high the corporate tax rate used to be and how much lower it is now.
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) January 3, 2021
znModeratorThree takeaways from Cardinals loss to the Rams Sunday. Read analysis from @alexjweiner: https://t.co/kepBua9mRg
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) January 4, 2021
znModeratorTony Softli@SoftliSEA
Yes….Wolford as I said last week is highly capable of winning playoff games. Smart, accurate, tough gamer that has dual threat capabilities. He just happens to be short!Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Have received further clarity on the Cooper Kupp/Michael Brockers timeline (both went on the COVID-19/reserve list this week). Am told that, provided they are asymptomatic by Saturday’s playoff game at Seattle, they would be eligible to return and play.Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
This is wild: The Rams scored four defensive touchdowns this season, tied with the Colts for the most in the NFL. And get this – the Rams didn’t score a single defensive touchdown in the first 11 weeks.Rams CB Troy Hill’s three defensive touchdowns ranks No. 1 in the NFL.
1. Hill returned a FR for a TD in Week 12
2. He returned an INT for a TD in Week 13
3. He returned an INT for a TD in Week 17znModeratorThis is Sam Sloman. The man who determined the winner of the AFC South.
Have a day, Sam! https://t.co/Do9T9bxfVe
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 4, 2021
znModeratorI’m going to have to rewatch the game. From reading some comments from Rams fans on Twitter I get the impression that Steve Young started for the Rams. Perhaps I’m selling Wolford short. Pardon the pun.
Wolford played well, especially for a first start, but the twitter guys are just going nuts. They’re into hyperbole over this.
znModeratorRobert Saleh dance card filling up.
Falcons interview tomorrow; Lions later in the week. Expect more to come.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 4, 2021
znModeratorCameron DaSilva@camdasilva
John Wolford made NFL history as the first quarterback E-V-E-R to throw for 200+ yards and rush for 50+ yards in his first career gameznModeratorI thought that the run blocking was weak and Akers looked a step slow
Arizona held up against the run last game too. It was about the same yards per carry in each game, and that’s with JW ripping off a few 7-10 yard runs. I don’t know why–in general ARZ does not rank high on run defense. But the Rams can’t seem to get much going against them in the run game.
znModeratorLindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
“No, I’m here to do a job, I have no idea where he’s at, I’m just trying to enjoy this win — John Wolford, when asked if he’ll be disappointed if he returns to backup next week.Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Wolford says he went back to the sideline after his pick and told his teammates, “I’m good. Don’t worry about me.” He said activating into runs, hearing words of advice in his head from Goff about responding after error, and actually getting hit helped him settle in.znModeratorJ.B. Long@JB_Long
Missing opponents added to the 2021 Rams schedule today:Home vs Tampa Bay Bucs (2nd in NFC South)
TBD against the Baltimore Ravens (2nd in AFC North)Like-place finisher in NFC East to be decided tonight to complete next year’s slate.
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