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znModeratorMeanwhile, the REAL 2025 NFL MVP, Drake Maye, has 1 INT and 2 fumbles (1 lost).
But the Patz are making up for all that by averaging 3.3 a carry rushing.
znModeratorWhen it was 14-7 Washington, Seattle drove down but they were stopped on 4th and goal at the 2. The Commandos then got a FG. Seattle drove down again and had to settle for a FG. So, 17-10 Washington at the half.
What’s making this happen so far? Mariota’s playing better than anyone had a right to expect.
znModeratorBroncos have multiple sacks in 20 straight home games. Tied for the longest streak by any team since 1960.
w
vThey’re also 30th in yards per carry allowed in run defense. But then last year they were 3rd in that stat. And the ranking is so low primarily because Denver was on the receiving end of Kenneth Walker III’s great debut as the Chiefs new high octane run game.
Last week the Jags played them in Denver and Jacksonville gave up 2 sacks.
Denver is a lot like the Rams in this respect–game 1 messes with the numbers. They too were badly outplayed by a divisional rival in game 1 (KC) but then played well enough to win against the Jagz.
So any numbers we have on either Denver or the Rams are deceptive. Both teams botched game 1, and both teams are better than their game 1 performance, but at the same time it’s not crystal clear how much better.
I expect the Rams to rely heavily on 3 TE personnel and it is not at all clear Denver can shut that down. Analysts have pointed out that (1) 3 TE sets force defenses to play base defense, and (2) one clearcut weakness in the Denver defense is its inside LBs, Singleton and Strand, who struggle in pass coverage.
znModeratorQB Matthew Stafford needs 111 passing yards to become the first player in NFL history to throw for 20k+ yards for two different teams, while WR Davante Adams is 146 receiving yards away from reaching 13k in his career.
znModeratorI saw that Adam Schefter said Myles Garrett expected to be out 6 Weeks, fwiw.
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vYeah, I just got a notification on my phone, and I misread it to say “6 months.” Not that 6 weeks is good, but I guess it’s better than out for the season.
We’re going to have to wait a while before we get to watch the greatest DL ever in NFL history.
Fwiw, I started a thread on all this, including an article from Rappaport on both Nacua and Garrett.
Rams injuries: https://theramshuddle.com/topic/rams-injuries/
znModeratorSources: Myles Garrett faces 6-week timeline from knee surgery
Ian Rapoport
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/50038925/sources-myles-garrett-faces-6-week-line-knee-surgery
Los Angeles Rams star Myles Garrett figures to be on the sideline a little longer than anticipated.
Garrett, the subject of one of the NFL’s biggest blockbuster trades in recent memory, was given a timeline of roughly six weeks for his recovery from knee surgery, sources told NFL Network.
The Rams placed Garrett on injured reserve earlier this month after the two-time Defensive Player of the Year hobbled through Los Angeles’ season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.
The Rams have a more encouraging timeline for star wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is doubtful for Sunday night’s game against the Denver Broncos but could return as soon as Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nacua has been dealing with a groin injury that has affected his explosiveness, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Nacua can play, but he has not felt like he can play with the same explosiveness he has had in the past.
The Rams still view it as a short-term injury and think Nacua will be back sooner rather than later. The organization does not believe surgery is necessary, but it’s also not entirely off the table if Nacua doesn’t show signs of improvement.
Garrett is eligible to return from injured reserve after four games, which would be the Rams’ Week 6 game on Oct. 18 against the Arizona Cardinals.
But with a six-week timeline, Garrett also could miss games in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders and Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Rams play the Washington Commanders in Week 9 on Nov. 8.
Garrett is determined to beat the timeline, sources told NFL Network, but the Rams will be cautious with a player they traded significant capital to acquire. The hope was the arthroscopic surgery to clean out his knee relieves discomfort and eliminates swelling.
Coach Sean McVay has been reluctant to put a timeline on Garrett’s recovery, calling him “Wolverine, healing fast,” while also emphasizing that the Rams are “not going to rush him back.”
Garrett missed most of training camp with what McVay called knee swelling. After the Week 1 game in Melbourne, Australia, Garrett declined to say which knee he injured, but he wore a sleeve on his left leg during several practices.
The Rams sent two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Jared Verse and three draft picks, including a first-round selection in 2027, to the Cleveland Browns in the trade to land Garrett earlier this year. The five-time All-Pro set the NFL’s single-season sack record with 23 last season for the Browns.
znModeratorNFL Stats@NFL_Stats
Quentin Lake’s stats this season:• 17 tackles
• 6 passes defended
• 1 forced fumble
• 1 INT
• 39.1 passer rating allowed on 16 targets
• 56.4% completion allowedznModeratorSeptember 26, 2026 at 8:09 pm in reply to: comics, jokes, one-shot memes, funny tweets, etc. #166369znModerator
znModeratorMan there are some historically bad OLs out there in the league in these first games. Including the Chargers and Packers. Reminds me of the Rams in 2007 and 2008 (and 2011…and 2022). Lotta qbs gettin bulgerized out there.
I forget who it was, but some analyst or ex-player said in some podcast we have posted on this board that in exchange for granting the league a 17 game schedule, the union asked for and got fewer padded practices. Then there’s sitting starters out in the preseason games. The result, this guy said, is that league OLs are generally underprepared to start the season. OLs need padded time together to cohere. September, this guy said, is the new preseason.
Of course GB and LAC have problems beyond just that.
IMO the Rams dodged that for 2 reasons. First, continuity. All 5 starters back. 2nd, their great OL coach.
znModeratorDonald called McDuffie “something special” during his press conference on Thursday, saying that while he doesn’t usually watch the defensive backs, he couldn’t help but watch McDuffie play.
“That guy’s good,” Donald said. “I told the guy I train with, I said, ‘Yeah, he’s a special talent.’ He made a lot of big plays. I usually don’t watch the DBs, but he caught my eye. He’s something special and we have to continue to play like that week in and week out. If we do that, we have a good chance to win with guys playing like that.”
znModerator
znModeratorPFF@PFF
Highest pressure rate allowed this seasonChargers 45.5%
Bears 45.0%
Packers 43.6%
Patriots 43.5%
Dolphins 43.1%znModeratorPuka Nacua rookie year, should’ve won OROY https://t.co/DfDzysBxsa pic.twitter.com/7aHdd8ljnp
— HoldenCantor (@HoldenCantor) September 26, 2026
znModeratorPackers qb gettin Bulgerized.
nick wright@getnickwright
Given the Herbert & Jordan Love discourse this week, I feel like folks can only come to one logical conclusion: These quarterbacks must be massively overpaid!They’re compensated as if they can uplift their situation, but…
Ryan DePaul@RyanDePaul
What makes this hilarious is that we finally got to see Patrick Mahomes experience the kind of offensive-line dysfunction Justin Herbert has been dealing with for nearly THREE straight seasons.Weeks 14 & 15 last year were the first time Mahomes faced a pressure environment remotely comparable to what Herbert has grown accustomed to.
And what happened?
Mahomes:
19.0 passer rating → 62.0 passer rating 0 TD, 4 INT.
For two games, Mahomes had to operate in the exact kind of environment that Herbert has been expected to transcend for years.And, remarkably, there wasn’t a QB in football who played worse over that stretch than Mahomes. Nobody is arguing that QB’s are helpless. The point is that QB play is contextual. Protection, pressure, supporting cast, play-calling, all of it matters.
But if your argument is that elite QB’s are supposed to “uplift their situation” regardless of circumstances, then you have to apply that standard consistently.
Because the moment Mahomes encountered the same structural problem Herbert has been living with, the “just elevate” theory suddenly became a lot less persuasive.
Selective memory is funny.
znModeratorWe all know whats gonna happen next “we beat the rams week 1 we woulda won the sb healthy” https://t.co/PiW7yiSrvr
— GrubAtGenos (@GrubAtGenos) September 25, 2026
znModeratorMan, who are the Packers? And who are the Falcons?
Atlanta 35
GBay 14.Packers qb gettin Bulgerized.
Our tracking has Green Bay's OL winning in pass protection on just 16% of dropbacks (worst in the NFL by a mile). To put that in perspective, the average is close to 50%. Not great Bob. https://t.co/6ZxCUx9e5X
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) September 25, 2026
znModeratorMichael J. Duarte@michaeljduarte
Rams Injuries for Sunday in Denver against the Broncos:WR Puka Nacua – Doubtful (DNP on Fri.)
Byron Young and Aaron Donald got a veteran rest day on Fri.
TE Colby Parkinson – Questionable (DNP on Fri.)
S Kam Kinchens – Doubtful (DNP on Fri.)
WR Jordan Whittington (Full participant on Fri.)Greg Beacham@gregbeacham
Rams WR Jordan Whittington (quadriceps) is “good to go” after missing last week vs NYG, Sean McVay says.TE Colby Parkinson (knee) is “trending in the right direction” to play Sunday.
LB Nate Landman (shoulder) is almost certainly playing.
S Kam Kinchens is doubtful to play.
…
…the Rams are not considering injured reserve as an option for Nacua, who also missed last week’s game against the New York Giants.
“If he doesn’t go this week, the expectations are, unless there’s a setback, that he’ll be good for next week,” McVay said.
…
The challenge will be greater this week [than against the Giants] on the road against the Broncos and three-time All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Adams is likely to draw a traveling assignment from Surtain, and a mix of Whittington, Atwell and Konata Mumpfield will provide depth at the second wide receiver spot.
…
In addition to Nacua, free safety Kam Kinchens is doubtful to play Sunday after missing a second straight week of practice with a hamstring injury. In Kinchens’ absence on Monday, the Rams played a mixture of safety Jaylen McCollough and nickel cornerback Joshua Wallace.
znModeratorOn Friday, Sean McVay said the Rams will elevate Connors for their Sunday night contest. Connors impressed during the preseason after signing as an undrafted rookie out of the University of Houston.
During his presser, McVay spoke on the decision to elevate Connors, stating that his work will be on special teams and that the running back carries will be split between Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. The only way Connors will see offensive snaps is if Williams or Corum gets hurt.
“He’s done a good job,” McVay said of Connors. “It’s a [special] teams thing is really what it put over the top. As far as a third runner, you feel really good about both of those guys if that’s what we were asked. They wouldn’t play unless Blake or Kyren, something happened. Those guys are going to get all the carries. But Dean or Jordan, I would have confidence in those guys, but we’ll go with Dean in a flex-up situation.”
znModeratorWhit thinks the Rams are about to go on a heater, even with a tough schedule ahead 👀
Brought to you by Apple Card. Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City branch. #ad pic.twitter.com/PV8LvZZxWY
— Fitz & Whit (@fitzandwhit) September 25, 2026
znModeratorRoss Tucker Podcast@RossTuckerPod
@GregCosell raves over the 49ers QB:“This whole idea of guys that have great tools because they can throw it hard and run around…”
“Can he see the field the right way within the timing and structure of the play call, and can he throw the ball with precise ball location?… Brock Purdy is among the BEST in the league at doing those two things.”
***
Me: Why do I post that? Because IMO Ty Simpson is a more electrically mobile version of Purdy. More like, of the type of qb Purdy is–the accurate guy who processes fast even though he’s not the optimal height and doesn’t have uber arm strength (though has “enough” arm). That type includes Montana, Warner, and Bulger.
Simpson hasn’t done anything yet–and it’s of course possible that he will never do anything–but, still, that’s his type.
So to me, people talking about Purdy are also talking about what a Purdy-etc. type can do in the league.
…
znModerator…
Test the Denver rush defense. Even dating back to the playoffs last year, the Broncos struggled to stop the run. The biggest issue against Kenneth Walker III and the Chiefs is that Denver couldn’t tackle. The tackling was much better for the Broncos against Jacksonville, but run Kyren Williams and Blake Corum on Sunday night. That allows McVay to use the heavy offensive sets that he typically likes to run, especially the plays with three tight ends. Then he can have Matthew Stafford use those tight ends in the passing game. That’s the other thing Denver struggles with – covering tight ends. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, in a word, are not very good. So force the two linebackers into coverage and the Rams will likely have success.
znModeratorMcDuffie changes what the @RamsNFL defense can and will do@JasonMcCourty #nfllive pic.twitter.com/MSAyc1nh2w
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) September 24, 2026
znModeratorznModeratorPFF@PFF
Lowest pressure to sack rate this season
(min 10 pressures)Brock Purdy 0.0% (0/15)
Jayden Daniels 4.2% (1/24)
Matt Stafford 6.3% (1/16)
Jaxson Dart 7.7% (1/13)
Dak Prescott 9.1% (2/22)
Daniel Jones 9.1% (2/22)znModeratorZooey, you fact checked it. The poster’s claim I posted? You info shows that the record is more mixed than that poster seemed to indicate.
So I added more fact checking, and will try to match up the numbers from the 2 different lists (one list showing Adams’ receptions/yards, this new list naming the quarterbacks)
1. 2022 Week 4 (Oct 2, 2022) Adams for Las Vegas Raiders, Derek Carr at qb
2. 2022 Week 11 (Nov 20, 2022) Adams for Las Vegas Raiders, Derek Carr at qb
3. 2023 Week 1 (Sep 10, 2023) Adams for Las Vegas Raiders, Jimmy Garoppolo at qb
4. 2023 Week 18 (Jan 7, 2024) Adams for Las Vegas Raiders, Aidan O’Connell at qb1. Adams = 9 receptions on 13 targets for 101 yards
2. Adams = 7 receptions on 13 targets for 141 yards, 2 TDs
3. Adams = 6 receptions on 9 targets for 66 yards
4. Adams = 5 receptions on 8 targets for 46 yards, 1 TDDerek Carr in 2022 had a qb rating of 86.3
Jimmy Garoppolo in 2023 had a qb rating of 77.7
Aidan O’Connell in 2023 had a qb rating of 83.9For the record, I don’t consider games of 66 and 46 yards to be great. So there’s the poster I posted, who makes big claims. Then your details, which show that it’s more mixed than that. Then I take another step, adding more details, which indicate that Adams had mediocre quarterbacking in 2022 and 2023.
Next we’ll see if Stafford has a good game in Denver, and whether or not that translates into Adams playing well against Surtain this time.
In the meantime there’s this:
During his press conference on Wednesday, Adams spoke about his past matchups with Surtain, calling him the best cornerback in the NFL before becoming teammates with Trent McDuffie.
“Obviously, Pat is probably one of the best DBs in the league,” Adams said. “Before coming into this year and playing with Trent, I was saying (Surtain) was the best. That’s my guy (McDuffie) and I see him every day, and that’s no slight at Pat. I’ve had a chance to play against Pat quite a few times now and I love his game, respect it. He’s got some length, speed, and a lot of stuff you can’t teach at that position. We’ve had some battles in the past. Obviously, the game where we had the walk-off touchdown there, that was a good memory for me. Then, came back the next time and I can probably say honestly that he probably played a little bit better of a game in Denver versus me than what I played against him, that opener in ’23. I have a lot of respect for a lot of guys, but he’s definitely up there as far as one of the ones I have the most respect for.”
….
September 24, 2026 at 10:02 pm in reply to: interviews & podcasts, 9/14 – ? … starting w/ McVay on 60 min… #166334znModeratorResponse in Week 2, Matthew Stafford & Davante Adams’ Connection, Players to Watch in Denver & More
Sep 24, 2026 #LosAngelesRams #LARams #Rams
J.B. Long, D’Marco Farr, and Maurice Jones-Drew sit down on this episode of Between the Horns to break down the Los Angeles Rams’ home opener in Week 2 vs. the New York Giants. Watch them discuss the connection between quarterback Matthew Stafford & wide receiver Davante Adams, standout performances from the defense, scouting the Denver Broncos, and more.03:10 Week 2 vs. the Giants
06:49 Kobie Turner in Week 2
09:14 Matthew Stafford & Davante Adams
12:24 Rams players to watch
19:43 Special teams
24:40 Scouting the Denver Broncos
37:21 Early state of the NFCznModeratorSean Payton and Sean McVay used to have some animosity between them. Whit explains how their relationship has grown into something great 👇
"I've always been the in-between, I talk good about Payton to McVay, and McVay to Payton… I know how much their relationship has grown,… pic.twitter.com/YPwU0Ygb8G
— Fitz & Whit (@fitzandwhit) September 24, 2026
znModeratorWell, we certainly hope the Australia-Fiasco was an outlier. I ‘think’ it was, but I’m not sure. After all the first Shanahan game last year was a fiasco in its own right.
Hence the SF outlier.
The same team that lost to SF in one game gave Seattle defense its most severe tests of its entire season twice within a few weeks. The Rams lost those games by a combined 5 points because of big problems on defense and special teams. We at least know they have addressed the issues of defense, and that’s even without Garrett.
The one loss to SF was an outlier last year–and that same Rams offense took it to the Seattle defense last year like no other team did.
znModeratorDavante had an outlier kinda game against a rookie CB and a banged up secondary. I mean, he’s great-and-all, but he also had, like 25 yards against a good defense this year.
I would say that the SF game is its own outlier. Everyone was off in that game. I don’t think that represents the Rams against a good defense. I would say that represents the Rams against SF in Australia.
The Giants secondary was beat up. But then there was no Puka, and in fact there barely was another receiver. And that same defense the week before against Dallas held them to 3.8 air yards per reception, and held them to 69 yards on 18 carries rushing (3.83 per).
Denver is a bigger test. We all know that. But yes if Puka is out, and you want to take advantage of a banged up secondary, then Adams showed what he is capable of. What we are marveling at with Adams though is the specific skills he showed. The masterful subtle shifts in route running, the high octane body control on what were actually some challenging catches. The only receiver the Rams have had recently to match all that in terms of sheer raw skills was OBJ in 2021.
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