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znModeratorRams rookie safety Jordan Fuller had a good role model for performing under the lights: His mom, noted background singer Cindy Mizelle. https://t.co/RpRZIKlIPb
— Gary Klein (@LATimesklein) November 29, 2020
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Rams OLB Terrell Lewis (knee) downgraded to OUT for Sunday’s gameznModeratorTo sum up this Saturday:
Ravens' Reserve/COVID list grew to 18 players.
Lions did a housecleaning.
The 49ers have no place to play.
And the Broncos have no quarterbacks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 28, 2020
znModeratorAdam Schefter@AdamSchefter
All the QBs on the Broncos’ roster are ineligible to play Sunday against the Saints after being deemed high-risk, close contacts, sources tell ESPN.Here’s how Denver got wiped out at the QB position in a 72-hour span:
QB Jeff Driskel tested positive for COVID on Thursday.
Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles did not wear masks, per a source, and were deemed high-risk close contacts today. They now are out Sunday.
Jason La Canfora@JasonLaCanfora
NFL will not call off Broncos game due to personnel issues. Their lack of QBs will require them to play RBs and WRs and adapt as necessary. Teams run out of positions in games at times and have to adapt. Forfeiting games opens up fight w/NFLPA and takes away checks in real timeBucky Brooks@BuckyBrooks
Before you count out the #Broncos due to their QB situation, I was with the #Panthers when DeAngelo Willams played Wildcat QB for most of the game (12/24/06) in a 10-3 win vs. ATL. We ran 52x with Williams (20/82) and DeShaun Foster (28/102) help team rush for 183. It can work..znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams OC Kevin O’Connell on evolution of rookies Cam Akers & Van Jefferson: From training camp Day 1, “the physical skillsets, we saw right away. Movement skills, the understanding of being able to carry some of the things they did at Florida State & Florida right into the NFL.”Nick Wagoner@nwagoner
And CB Richard Sherman (calf), RB Raheem Mostert (ankle) and RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (ankle) will be activated from injured reserve tomorrow and considered questionable for Sunday.Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
I think the 49ers will be a tough matchup for the Rams, but in viewing how Staley and the defense have adjusted to opponents in recent weeks, and with Goff and the offense providing much more consistency, I think they’ll break their three-game losing streak against San Francisco on Sunday. It feels like they’ve gotten the wheel rolling downhill. I’ll go 24-10 Rams and, as always, I’m braced and ready for any and all “I told you so” if I’m wrong. Happy Thanksgiving weekend, everybody!znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Micah Kiser will be on injured reserve for at least the next three weeks with a knee injury. The good news for Kiser is that he won’t need surgery and the Rams are expecting a minimum stay. With the roster spot, the Rams will stay in-house and likely promote a guy off the practice squad, and will count on Justin Hollins as emergency depth.Troy Reeder will step into Kiser’s spot, and Kenny Young will continue to work in complement. If the Rams scheme up a similar plan to the last time Reeder started a game (against Washington in Week 5), they’ll get Reeder closer to the line of scrimmage and their defensive line locking their blockers. That would open opportunities for Reeder in a “green dog” blitzer role, in which he potentially can get through the gap and sack the quarterback (he had three sacks against Washington). But I become extremely concerned when the 49ers try to stretch the defensive line and linebackers horizontally, before penetrating downfield. That was a huge issue last time, and while Reeder is great in the aforementioned situations and can help against the run, expecting him to run sideline to sideline is not aligned with his skill set. I asked defensive coordinator Brandon Staley about it this week.
“I felt like our edges in that game weren’t to our standard and it forced our linebackers to kind of have to get to places that they don’t normally have to get to,” Staley said. “I thought our tackling was just a little off in that first half and they have a lot to do with that. They have runners with real speed and their skill players, (receiver) Deebo Samuel in that game in particular, he’s like a running back, has a lot of running back traits. They ran hard and we needed to play better at the beginning of that game. I thought once we got settled, we were fine. But certainly, this team and the way they play, you have to have your stuff ready at the beginning, or else they’ll expose you.”
==
The Rams are tracking the lack of holding calls on Aaron Donald this season, and get this: He has drawn a holding call on one play out of 577 this season, and it was a run play. Is that not wild?
The Rams absolutely sent the non-calls in — and it seems they are collecting a larger body of evidence to bring into league meetings this spring — and also sent in the defensive pass interference calls against Jalen Ramsey from last Monday.
==
The Rams are No. 6 in the NFL with 32 explosive passes (15-plus yards) and 36 explosive rushes (10-plus yards) as tracked by Sharp Football. That’s a pretty good balance, and the Rams clearly believe that stretching the field vertically is about a lot more than doing so solely by air yards. n the coming years, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take a chance on a true “burner” type, but a lot of times those players don’t have the blocking skills necessary to operate in the Rams’ offense. And you can’t invest in a guy just to execute the lowest-probability play in football, even if it’s exciting when it connects. He’s got to be able to do more in a McVay offense.
==
If an offer comes, will Staley believe he has unfinished business with the Rams? Another item in consideration is the fact that complete intentionality is part of Staley’s ethos. He’s not going to leave a great space where he has a ton of autonomy to go somewhere that might have a toxic culture, or where he doesn’t feel he’ll get autonomy on the football side from a general manager. There have been so many one-and-done coaches who have been set up to fail by terrible front offices and owners that it’s got to be the right fit, because it might be the only time such a job comes around.
znModerator49ers may have Sherman back as well. Not telling what he has at this point, but he would be an addition to an already good secondary. The 9ers are among the best against both the rush and the pass, so they can frustrate the Rams (as they have done in the past). This game is no gimme, though it’s hard to imagine the 9ers putting up much offense against the Rams, either.
They had an extra week to prepare and recover, and their backs are against the wall. They have 6 losses right now, and can still tell themselves they have something to play for. A loss to the Rams basically finishes them, as it means their only path to the playoffs comes through other teams collapsing.
This is a talented team with a very good head coach.
I think a win here by the Rams will be underappreciated by the national media, and a loss overblown. The Rams should win this game, but – (I’m not a betting guy and don’t follow the spreads and such) – if I had to put money on this game, I would hate to give up seven points in order to bet on the Rams. I think the final score will be closer than that.
Do you know what I mean about them always seeming to be up for games and playing hard regardless of personnel? I am not sure McVay has that knack with a team yet the way Shanahan does.
znModeratorRams-49ers Preview: SoFi the scene for important divisional tilt
J.B. Long
https://www.therams.com/news/rams-49ers-preview-sofi-stadium-week-12
Hope you had a safe and memorable Thanksgiving, everyone.
For those of you experiencing hardship this holiday season at the end of a trying 2020, we hope that Rams football is bringing you some solace and joy.
And it’s not just the performance of the players and staff between the lines. The way Rams like Cooper Kupp and Jalen Ramsey continue to invest in the community is worth calling out this week and every week.
Now, I know the team would like to gift everyone a win over the rival 49ers, who are 4-3 against the Rams since 2017. No other opponent has beaten the Rams more than twice since Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay were hired at the start of that year.
Kupp Half Full
Because one of the lasting memories of the Week 6 loss was the odd disconnect between Jared Goff and Kupp, I wanted to circle back on what they’ve done since that Sunday night in Santa Clara.
The Rams’ slot receiver has been targeted 46 times for 33 receptions and 348 yards. That’s a catch rate of 72 percent and an average of 87 yards per game – both comfortably above Kupp’s career levels.
While they haven’t linked up on a scoring play in the last six outings, that Niners defeat really was a blip on an otherwise sterling radar.
Raw Bar
It was a confidence-building win in Week 11 for Goff, who was markedly improved from empty sets and against the Buccaneers blitz.
The interceptions were a nuisance, I understand. And no question he, Kevin O’Connell and Sean McVay are working hard to minimize those miscues even further. After only four picks through seven games, Goff has thrown four in the Rams last three outings.
I just want to point out that interception percentage – and really, turnover-worthy plays – are of much greater importance than raw interception numbers.
Against a tremendous run defense in Tampa Bay, the Rams asked Goff to put it up 51 times (61 in Miami). His season-long rate is still well below last year’s concerning 2.6 percent and in line with his 2018 Pro Bowl campaign.
How about the fact he was not sacked despite the pass-happy approach? Nice design by McVay and execution by the Rams, including new left tackle Joe Noteboom.
Run D.M.C.
Los Angeles gets another solid run defense this week – perhaps not as stout as the Bucs, who held the Rams to a grand total of 37 yards on the ground Monday night, but still top 10 in the league.
Nonetheless, the Rams managed a robust 5.95 yards per attempt in their first collisions with the Niners, and I’d envision a return to a more balanced offensive approach this Sunday.
Point Predictions
The Rams last 30-point game was October 11 at Washington.
My prediction of the week is that they’ll go for 30-plus on Sunday and average 30-plus in their remaining six games. This group feels poised to break out, and despite missing from 44 yards in his L.A. debut, I’m bullish on Matt Gay as the long-term answer in the kicking game.
Defensive Deep Dive
Here’s a bit of context for what the Rams defense has accomplished so far.
The 2020 NFL season in on track to set record levels for cumulative points (49.2), yards (718.3), and fewest giveaways (2.6) on a per game basis. It’s an increasingly offensive league, littered with prolific offensive talent, especially at the quarterback position. And that only amplifies the accomplishment of Brandon Staley’s unit.
At 17.1 offensive points per game allowed, they’re the best in the league.
Their 3.9 offensive points allowed in second halves is the lowest since at least the 2000 Ravens (4.5), and by a wide margin. (We’re actively working to extend that comparison even farther back in time and will update accordingly.)
And in the last two games, against future Hall of Famers Russell Wilson and Tom Brady, the Rams have vaulted up to a tie for seventh in the NFL in takeaways. They’re now averaging 1.5 per outing.
Always Be Closing
Which leads us to the offenses they’ll face in the closing stretch:
SF – 18
ARI – 11 (twice)
NE – 19
NYJ – 31
SEA – 4
That’s an average of 16th in offensive efficiency, with only one top 10 offense left on the schedule. And here’s my weekly reminder that the Rams are long overdue to score a defensive touchdown.
Man in the Middle
Without starting inside linebacker Micah Kiser, who was placed on injured reserve following a knee injury suffered at the end of Monday’s win, it will be interesting to monitor snap counts.
Troy Reeder had three sacks in Washington the last time he got his opportunity. So perhaps he’s the only substitute the Rams will need.
But if some creativity is required, edge Justin Hollins played some off-ball linebacker for Staley in Denver. And Leonard Floyd has that flexibility as well. A practice squad call-up is always an option, as Derrick Moncrief popped up for the Dolphins game.
Garoppolo-and-3
The Rams have yet to beat 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who unfortunately has missed a good bit of time due to injury since being traded to San Francisco and is once again on the injured list.
While Jimmy G is a perfect 4-0 against the Rams, the other Niners signal-callers are 0-3 since 2017. That includes this week’s starter Nick Mullens, who was at the helm for the 2018 finale at the Coliseum and passed for three touchdowns and three interceptions in a 48-32 Rams triumph.
If You Don’t Know Deebo, Now You Know
Like many of you, I enjoyed the back-and-forth between Aaron Donald and Deebo Samuel back in October.
I don’t envy the 49ers, facing the all-everything defensive tackle as he looks to break out of a two-game stretch without a tackle, much less a sack.
Of course, we all understand he’s being doubled and tripled and held at an alarming rate.
Against the Niners, maybe his presence will be as colossal as it was on the SoFi Stadium canopy during MNF.
Home for the Holidays
According to NFL Research, teams are finally finding some traction in their home venues.
Home teams are 20-8 (.714 win percentage) over the last two weeks, compared to .492 over the first nine weeks of 2020 – a figure that was bolstered by the Rams 3-0 mark to that point in the season.
The remaining undefeateds at home are Pittsburgh (5-0, also unbeaten overall), the Seahawks (5-0) and the Rams (4-0).
Inglewood will host four of the Rams’ final six.
znModerator
znModeratoraeneas1
hard to get much better than this, defensive rankings for a few statistical categories:
znModerator49ers provided Aaron Donald with extra motivation ahead of rematchhttps://t.co/az2WHLjHwi
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) November 28, 2020
znModeratorniners are injured. at key positions.
it won’t be easy though.
Yeah it’s not easy (though it would be fun if they just blew them out this time and MADE it easy.)
Here’s the thing about SF, and I noticed it when Shanahan first got there, before they had the horses to compete. Even as a talent-lacking team, they were so fierce and energetic. They always seem to come to play (though I think with just a few exceptions over the last few years I have only seen them play the Rams).
If I find one real flaw with the Rams, they can sometimes come into a game without that level of energy ready to play. They can start games flat, and/or get stymied. If the Rams had SF’s level of play all the time they would be unbeatable.
O’Connell talks about it in today’s presser
(which is here– http://theramshuddle.com/topic/mcva-oconnell-11-27-transcripts/ ):“It’s no secret they’ve had some injuries and just like a lot of teams in this league, but the one thing you continue to see when you turn on the tape is a really well coached team. They play really, really hard. You have got to match that energy and urgency and then match the execution level. Because you know they’re going to be so well coached. It’s always going to be a challenge when you play these guys….we know that and Sunday is going to be no different.”
znModeratorWhen Goff is confident in what he is seeing from the pocket and making throws on time and in rhythm, the Rams offense can score points in bunches. But when the picture gets muddied for him, that is when the offense can struggle. Interestingly enough, that picture seems to muddy the most when the middle is open between the safeties. Goff has throws eight interceptions this season, five of which have come against coverages in that family: Cover 2, Cover 4, Cover 6.
znModeratorGary Klein@LATimesklein
McVay said he was informed late Thursday that a player and staff member had tested positive. Both were tested again twice and results were negative. He said windy conditions also contributed to decision to cancel practice.znModeratorfrom Tyler Higbee (elbow) to be game-time decision for Rams vs. 49ers
* https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/27/rams-injury-tyler-higbee-week-12-update/Tyler Higbee could miss his second game of the season on Sunday after suffering an elbow injury against the Buccaneers. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing his status for Week 12 squarely into question.
—
Rams Wire@TheRamsWire
Terrell Lewis’ status uncertain due to knee swelling, which required draining. The Rams are monitoring it, but McVay said it’s the same knee he’s had issues in before.==
Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Tyler Higbee is questionable for Sunday’s game, while Terrell Lewis is listed as doubtfulznModeratorIt’s a challenge. SF is coming off a bye, Rams are coming off a short week with a cancelled practice. SF appears to have the Rams number. Their defense is formidable: ranked 7th overall, 4th in passing yards, 7th in rushing yards per attempt, and 11th in pressure percentage. They lost 3 in a row but that was to Seattle, Green Bay, and New Orleans.
..
znModeratorThe #broncos have canceled practice today because of multiple positive COVID tests. My report on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/WgQ43da1ez
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 27, 2020
znModeratorMatt Patricia is a pretty smart guy, which is why the way he handled the start of his postgame news conference yesterday tells you all you need to know about his future in Detroit https://t.co/O0palIs6gZ via @freep
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) November 27, 2020
znModeratorA note on any games potentially forfeited as the NFL season winds down: players on both teams would not be paid for that particular game. A forfeit would mean a loss for one team, but a loss for players on both teams.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 27, 2020
znModeratorRams vs. Niners
Eric D. Williams
https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/la-rams-vs-san-francisco-2020-tale-of-the-tape
The Los Angeles Rams will look to avenge an earlier loss this season to the San Francisco 49ers when they host them at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.
The two NFC West teams have gone in different directions since that Week 6, 24-16 loss for the Rams.
San Francisco has lost three of its last four games, dropping to 4-6 on the year while the Rams have won three of their last for games and sit atop the division, tied with the Seattle Seahawks at 7-3.
However, the Niners are coming off a bye week and get L.A. on a short week after an impressive win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
The Niners own a 71-67-3 record (including postseason) all-time against the Rams.
Per usual, weather should not be an issue underneath the translucent roof of SoFi, with temperatures expected around 69 degrees at game time.
The Rams are 7-point favorites.
Scott Novak’s crew will officiate the game.
2020 RECORD
Rams: 7-3
Niners: 4-6
Comment: Rams remain undefeated at SoFI Stadium with a 4-0 record and finish out the season playing four of their final six games at home.Points Per Game
Rams: 24.3 (17)
Niners: 23.8 (18)
Comment: Only the Cardinals (16) have more rushing TDs than the Niners (15) this season.Total offense
Rams: 397.3 yards per game (5)
Niners: 364.7 yards per game (15)
Comment: The Niners are converting just 30 percent of their fourth downs, third-worst in the league.ADVERTISING
Rush offense
Rams: 124.5 yards per game (9)
Niners: 112.0 yards per game (17)
Comment: Raheem Mostert leads San Francisco with 303 rushing yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry.Pass offense
Rams: 272.8 yards per game (9)
Niners: 252.7 passing yards a game (13)
Comment: With Jimmy Garoppolo still nursing an ankle injury, Nick Mullens is expected to get the start at QB. Niners are 1-3 on the year when Mullens is the starter.Time of possession
Rams: 31:56 (5)
Niners: 31:35 (8)
Comment: Rams held the ball for 33:13 in win over Bucs on MNF.Opponents points per game
Rams: 19.2 (2)
Bucs: 23.4 (11)
Comment: Rams have given up a combined 46 points on the season in the second half.Total defense
Rams: 291.9 yards per game (1)
Niners: 315.9 yards per game (3)
Comment: Rams still holding teams to league-leading 4.67 yards per play.Rush Defense
Rams: 91.3 yards per game (5)
Niners: 107.0 yards per game (10)
Comment: LB Fred Warner leads the Niners with 79 combined tackles.Pass Defense
Rams: 200.6 yards per game (2)
Niners: 208.9 yards per game (T4)
Comment: Niners are blitzing 37 percent of the time, seventh-most in the NFL.Sacks
Rams: 32/200 yards (T3)
Niners: 18/107 yards (22)
Comment:Penalties
Rams: 42/392 yards (2)
Niners: 59/540 yards (T19)
Comment: CB Emmanuel Moseley leads the Niners with six penalties called on him, including four for pass interference.Interceptions
Rams: 10 (T6)
Niners: 8 (T14)
Comment: Rams have six interceptions over the last four games.Turnover differential
Rams: even (T15)
Niners: minus-5 (27)
Comment: Niners have turned it over 10 times in the last four games.znModeratorCameron DaSilva@camdasilva
It’s hard to believe how ridiculously good the Rams have been against deep passes this season.They’ve picked off as many deep passes as their opponents have completed
znModeratorThe #Rams are working on Thanksgiving, a very windy day at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. pic.twitter.com/eL4djQsbre
— Kevin Modesti (@KevinModesti) November 26, 2020
znModeratorNovember 27, 2020 at 12:12 am in reply to: comics, jokes, one-shot memes, funny tweets, etc. #124948znModerator
znModeratorYou know everytime i see Dallas they look terrible. But I remember that first game and the Rams had their hands full.
w
vThat’s back when they had Prescott and a healthier OL.
They’ve looked terrible since with the massive OL issues and juggling different qbs.
…
znModeratorRyan Clark@Realrclark25
Out of all of the stadiums, in all of the world, in all of the universes, that was the dumbest fake punt of them all!znModeratorummmm… WHAT THE HECK IS THIS??pic.twitter.com/FSgpzjjcWu
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 27, 2020
znModeratorAdam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Ravens players were told today by their HC John Harbaugh that, for everyone’s safety, they will not be allowed back in the training facility until Monday at the earliest, sources tell ESPN.Ravens are scheduled to play Steelers on Sunday, so that game doesn’t seem possible.
Brett Kollmann@BrettKollmann
I gotta think the league is considering adding a week 18 before the playoffs now, right?Pittsburgh already lost their bye week. At this point, the only two options here seem to be extending the season, or just having the Ravens forfeit?
Ross Tucker@RossTuckerNFL
Which means not only that they won’t play Sunday but that they likely won’t be able to play Dallas on Thursday which means that NFL will have to add Week 18 AND 8 playoff teams in each conference contingency plan.8th seed in the AFC right now? The Baltimore Ravens
znModeratoralyoshamucci
Sorry I’m late everyone, prep for Thanksgiving altered my schedule …
It was a solid win.
The Great
1) Goff. The accuracy and presence of mind was exactly what I want to see from him. Specifically the throw to Kupp on 3rd down at the end coming off the underneath receiver.
2) Kupp breaking tackles.
3) Noteboom. I know it’s one game, but it was a good game. He can get better at run blocking but they are a great run defense.
4) Rookie trio … Jefferson, Fuller, and Akers coming through when they had the opportunity.
5) Woods at the end of the first half.
6) Not trying to run against the #1 rushing D.
7) Stopping the run and forcing Brady uncomfortable.
The Good
8) Higher quality field goal kicker?
9) The 3TE Jefferson/Akers package at the goal line.
10) A Shawn getting push.
11) 2nd half defense.
12) 32-0 with a lead at halftime.
13) I feel like Hill had a great game, but I’m kinda spacing on the plays, 2 pass breakups?
The Bad
14) Not throwing for the first down? Brady had a LOT of time left.
15) Having to watch Mike Evans get that TD against us, I’m sure I’ll have to see it a few times over the years.
16) Did Everett drop another ball?
The Ugly
17) Refs.
November 26, 2020 at 8:33 pm in reply to: Darious Williams’ free-agent status in 2021 makes it easy for Rams to keep him #124936znModeratorI hope it’s easy to keep him in 2021. It may be, though, that there are teams that will go for a 1st round tender.
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