from PFF: NFL teams that could make the playoffs in 2020 after missing the postseason in 2019 — https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-four-nfl-teams-that-could-make-the-playoffs-in-2020

LOS ANGELES RAMS

This is an interesting case. On the one hand, the Rams don’t have to go very far to reach the playoffs for the third time in four years in 2020. They have a very good head coach and defensive coordinator. They have some of the best talent that the league has to offer in Aaron Donald, Robert Woods, Jalen Ramsey, Cory Littleton and Andrew Whitworth (pending retirement). They have a theoretically easier road as well, facing the relatively weak NFC and AFC Easts in 2020.

One the other hand, Jared Goff showed significant issues in 2019. After a season in which Goff was a top-10 quarterback in terms of PFF grade, he slipped to 18th in 2019, throwing almost as many interceptions (16) as touchdowns (19) while ranking 22nd in adjusted completion percentage behind players like Mason Rudolph and Drew Lock. The Rams run one of the most unique schemes offensively in all of football, one that used a league-leading play-action rate in neutral situations heading into Week 17, a high amount of outside-zone running plays, an above-average depth of target and light box counts. Receiver injuries and offensive line issues aside, if Goff cannot succeed in those circumstances, the Rams may be in trouble even if the Seattle Seahawks regress and the Arizona Cardinals cannot see a second-year jump for Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury.

In addition to question marks about Goff, the Rams do not have a first-round pick in the foreseeable future; they also need to sign Jalen Ramsey to an extension, and they already have big contracts dolled out to Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks, Goff and Dante Fowler. It will take some creativity for the Rams to be good moving forward, but we wouldn’t doubt them.

For those freaking out about Sean McVay going 9-7. Here’s Sean Payton’s career with legendary QB Drew Brees at the helm. pic.twitter.com/HjaZ8Ytemc

— DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR] (@DowntownRams) December 30, 2019

Sosa K@QBsMVP
Chris Long @JOEL9ONE had his brother (Kyle Long) on his show, and Kyle said the most success he had in his career was under OL Coach Aaron Kromer.

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Richard Sherman@RSherman_25
#1 Pass Defense! Feels good! Best season personally. Less than 230 yards given up on the season.

zn note: making it all the more interesting that the Rams put up 323 yards on them in their place, with 2 TDs (& the one costly INT) and came from behind to tie, all without a running game that day.

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Charles Robinson@CharlesRobinson
#Redskins seem to be 100-percent Ron Rivera, although he’s playing this pretty close to the vest for it seeming to be so far out there. I’d be stunned if it wasn’t Rivera at this point and other teams seem to feel boxed out on him already, like it’s a foregone conclusion.

As for #Redskins GM search with Allen out of the fold, there will be a big premium on a candidate’s belief in Dwayne Haskins. Dan Snyder is sold on Haskins being the centerpiece of the org and wants someone who shares that vision + brings a plan on how to build around Haskins.

Bruce Allen is completely out because there were clear signs that quality GM candidates wouldn’t commit with him being under the roof in any capacity. I think Dan Snyder would have liked to keep him in the fold for stadium purposes, but it wasn’t going to work.

One of my favorite plays, 4:17 in on that highlights vid–Goff evades the rush and makes a great throw on the run to Woods.

J.B. Long@JB_Long
Jared Goff in December 2019:
7.8 AY/A 5.1%TD 1.9%INT

Pro Bowl Years 2017-18:
8.5 AY/A 5.8%TD 1.8%INT

Season-wide perspective: #LARams were 4-0 when Goff was turnover-free. 5-7 all others.

Also worth noting only 1 fumble (and 0 lost) after PIT in Week 10.

.@CooperKupp is the first Rams WR with double-digit TD catches since @BigGame81 in 2006! 👏 pic.twitter.com/nXxqOW0Yrl

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 29, 2019

PFF ReFocused: Los Angeles Rams 31, Arizona Cardinals 24

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-17-pff-refocused-los-angeles-rams-31-arizona-cardinals-24

LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Rams struggled to get much going on the ground. When they did find success, it was usually the result of a cutback run on outside zone. Overall, they struggled to run between the tackles.

The Rams utilized tempo to keep the Cardinals on their heels. With the use of a fast pace and quick passes, Jared Goff was able to stay in rhythm throughout the game.

Aaron Donald did Aaron Donald things tonight, and it was entirely unfair to the Arizona offense. Virtually unblockable throughout, Donald categorically annihilated the Cardinals’ offensive line.

The Rams defense played a decent game regardless of the Arizona offense distributing turnovers like candy at Halloween. The Cards’ ground game tacked on some yardage late but had been shut down to minuscule levels prior to that. Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald were held in check by a secondary that was missing considerable talent.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Cardinals’ offense played relatively well until they started coughing up turnovers. A string of plays sent the ball to the Rams early, starting with an early snap with Kyler Murray still setting up a play followed by a dropped pitch to Kenyan Drake. Murray tacked on another interception on an overthrow and another was dropped. No offense can be expected to find success with as many miscues as Arizona committed today; the simple fact Arizona hung around is entirely surprising.

With the offense stalling on turnovers and offensive pass interference penalties, the running game was never given the opportunity to establish itself until very late. Even facing a defense sitting many of its stars — most notably in the secondary — Arizona just couldn’t get past themselves. One bright spot was Dan Arnold, who did everything he could to salvage the day and popped off the screen at every opportunity.

Chandler Jones was a menace early on for the Cardinals but settled down as the game went on. He recorded multiple pressures and made some plays against the run, but the Rams’ use of quick passes neutralized him for the most part.

Outside of a few splash plays, the Cardinals’ secondary did a solid job of staying on the hips of the Rams’ receivers. The unit had a handful of forced incompletions and made a few key stops immediately after the catch.

"That's how you want to finish off. Finish strong and I think we did that"

Aaron Donald on tonight's game, team walking away with a win + preparing for 2020. pic.twitter.com/6LwUOAjGW0

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 30, 2019

Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Tyler Higbee’s month of December for the Rams:

– 43 of his 69 catches
– 522 of his 734 receiving yards
– 2 of his 3 touchdowns

His 69 receptions and 734 yards are both single-season franchise records for a tight end. His three touchdowns are a new career-high.

682 yards.

Congrats to @Ty_Higs19 on setting the new single-season record in receiving yards by a Rams tight end! pic.twitter.com/UmizuFKLKn

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 29, 2019

"Wherever you go, whatever happens from here — we’re 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 family."

One last victory speech to close out 2019.#WPMOYChallenge + Whitworth pic.twitter.com/G7STynKsAw

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 30, 2019

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Eric Weddle indicated he would not return to the Rams next season if they intended to bring him back as a backup. He said he expected that to happen and would understand. Said he’s having knee and shoulder surgeries.

Sosa K@QBsMVP
The day we found out the structure of his deal – as well as the selection of Taylor Rapp – all but guaranteed Eric Weddle would be gone after one year. I’d say it worked out, but it’s time to move on.

The Bengals can’t even celebrate right pic.twitter.com/vEKIk9T1xE

— Someone's An Idiot (@SomeonesAnIdiot) December 29, 2019