from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/11/26/rams-panthers-week-13-stats-facts-preview/87470443007/?taid=69274c137f6a9b0001082367&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Panthers struggle badly on third down

It’s no surprise the Panthers rank 28th in points per game this season. They can’t sustain drives because of how poorly they perform on third down. They only convert on third down 36% of the time, ranking 26th in the NFL. Defensively, they’re even worse.

They allow opponents to convert 44% of the time, 30th out of 32 teams. The Rams are by no means automatic on third down (16th in NFL) offensively, but they’re stout defensively, ranking fourth in the league with an allowed conversion rate of 35%.

wv wrote:

“..Curl, a team source said, was particularly vocal in his assessment of Forbes. Position coaches leaned on Curl’s analysis and endorsement when speaking with the pro scouting department about whether to make the claim. Curl also picked Forbes up en route to his first practice on Wednesday..”

This bit was a little mysterious out of context. I couldn’t tell if that was Curl speaking negatively about Forbes while they were both with Washington, or Curl speaking positively of Forbes after Curl became a Ram. Turns out it’s the latter. As a Ram, Curl apparently beat the drum for the Rams signing Forbes.

As a skinny guy, in Washington they had doubts about Forbes’ physicality and playing the run. I always saw it as a confidence issue. Confidence issues are interesting with pro players. It can look like they just lack the physical talent. After Goff lost his confidence in 2020, there were fans and analysts who swore he was just not an NFL caliber qb. They couldn’t distinguish confidence issues from seeing him as a “just plain ole bust.” I think the same happened with Forbes.

On the other hand, Quinn actually encouraged Forbes when they released him.

from https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/commanders/2024/12/02/washington-commanders-release-emmanuel-forbes-dan-quinn-why-nfl/76699281007/

Quinn then said that he told Forbes a change of scenery could do him good.

“And I had a chance to visit with him, and I explained to him sometimes that the change of scenery is good, and I’ve seen other players go to other clubs, and it turns out differently, and sometimes that’s a good thing. And I said that that can happen with you too. And so, I wanted to make sure he heard that from me, and there was even guys on his own team here that had started somewhere else as a first-round player and all of a sudden, just a different scenery and different shift. The new system can help. And so, we wanted to wish him best on this football journey wherever that goes from here.”

…
The primary knock on Forbes coming out of the draft was his slight frame and inability to tackle consistently. That showed up repeatedly, but to make matters worse for Forbes, he struggled in coverage. He was never the same after Eagles star A.J. Brown beat him for multiple touchdowns in Week 4 of his rookie season.

…Rivera’s disastrous coaching staff last season didn’t help Forbes; they ruined his confidence and benched him. Quinn and his staff had their work cut out trying to rebuild Forbes’ confidence while also trying to scheme around the concerns about his size.

…

Among other things, Washington this year ranks 27th in pressure percentage. Rams rank 10th. That could be a huge difference too.

Panthers could be without half of their starting secondary Sunday against the Rams, depending on how Jaycee Horn progresses through concussion protocol. https://t.co/ZAhcs4StfR

— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 25, 2025

zn wrote:

[Forbes] allowed the lowest passer rating when targeted among qualified outside CBs (12.8) by over 20 points.

That’s just insane.

During the Rams' 6-game win streak, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. has played at an elite level.

He's either broken up or intercepted 10 of his 32 targets (31.3%) and allowed the lowest passer rating when targeted among qualified outside CBs (12.8) by over 20 points. pic.twitter.com/GNaNPbfWh5

— Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) November 25, 2025

Great breakdown in what Matthew Stafford is doing with his eyes to create space behind the defenders. Not many QBs EVER attempt or even approach this level of blind throw comfort but here we are! Watching history. 💪🏼 https://t.co/MxCBYwWO58

— JimEverett.eth (@Jim_Everett) November 25, 2025

.@Panthers @49ers the QB play was much to be desired last night. Some is play design and some is poor decisions with poor throws. Both players played great the week before. It's a week to week league. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/LVTmb9VolJ

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 25, 2025

RAMZILLA@elitster
Week 12

NFC West 28-17 62.2%
NFC South 18-27 40.0%
NFC North 26-17-1 60.2%
NFC East 18-26-1 41.1%

AFC West 24-20 54.5%
AFC South 22-22 50.0%
AFC North 18-26 40.9%
AFC East 23-22 51.1%

Dan Orlovsky@danorlovsky7
Offensive Lines I trust heading to playoff run:

NFC:
Rams
Dallas
Chicago
SF

AFC:
Colts
Buffalo
KC
Denver

52-yards out and good from Rams K Harrison Mevis.

The impressive part here is that Mevis as the Bucs get pressure off of the edge. That likely affects Karty.

Unphased and right through the middle. pic.twitter.com/x7n9P0NTqP

— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) November 25, 2025

Damn, back to back possessions ending in dreadful INT’s. Can’t really relate pic.twitter.com/BdMgXnHT95

— Rams Bros. (@RamsBrothers) November 25, 2025

In the last six weeks, there's one team that has separated into its own tier. pic.twitter.com/5cXZWHUJvG

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 24, 2025

lots of dime, few blitzes and working great pic.twitter.com/zgK7JXoZzx

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) November 24, 2025

jay__D@ProminentKingz
Warren McClendon is the future at RT for the #RAMS.

34 snaps & 0 Pressures