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znModeratorJalen Ramsey laying the wood on A-Rob pic.twitter.com/BpQf5tf9GU
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) November 18, 2019
znModeratorRams rely on defense to defeat Bears and preserve playoff hope
Jim Trotter
LOS ANGELES — Who would have thunk it? A Rams team coached by offensive-wunderkind Sean McVay tying its identity to … defense?
“It’s the NFL, man,” said safety Eric Weddle. “It’s a year-to-year business.”
That reality was on full display Sunday night in the Memorial Coliseum, where the Rams relied on their defense to keep alive their playoff aspirations with a 17-7 victory over the Bears.
The idea of the Rams prevailing on an evening when the offense was without two of its top three receivers, started two rookies on the right side of the line, committed back-to-back turnovers to start the game, and completed only 11 passes would have been nonsensical a year ago, when Los Angeles rode the success of that unit to its first Super Bowl appearance in 17 years.
But a lot has changed in only one season. Injuries, inconsistencies and load management have sapped the unit of its otherworldly powers. Now instead of winning with glitz and glamour, they’ve accepted that grit and resolve are the best way forward.
That need for an identity shift hit home Nov. 10 in a 17-12 loss at Pittsburgh. Trailing by two early in the fourth quarter, the Rams allowed the Steelers to go on a 14-play, 60-yard drive that consumed 8 minutes and ended in a field goal, which left them with only one legitimate possession to win the game.
Afterward, defenders talked among themselves about the need to be better. Then on Monday, after the coaches addressed the team, members of the defense addressed each other in private.
“We talked about what we need to get done,” Weddle said. “Everyone was on the same page: Every snap, we’ve got to be great.”
It helped Sunday that they were playing an offense with its own issues. The Bears (4-6) have scored more than 21 points just once this season and were hurt early by missed field-goal attempts of 48 and 47 yards in the opening quarter. Chicago ran 41 plays in the first half yet failed to convert them into a single point. Some of that was its own ineptness, and some of that was a Los Angeles defense that was locked in.
It’s not a stretch to say that if the Rams (6-4) are going to make a push for the playoffs, the blueprint will look a lot like Sunday until and unless everyone gets healthy. Wideout Brandin Cooks missed the game while in concussion protocol, and fellow starter Robert Woods was inactive for personal reasons. That left McVay short-handed, so for the first time this season he leaned heavily on running back Todd Gurley, who has been on a pitch count much of the year due to concerns about wear and tear.
There appeared to be no such concerns on this night. Gurley carried 12 times for 64 yards in the first half, which surpassed his rushing yards in six of the first eight games this season. His average coming in was 13 carries, with a high of 18. But against the Bears he had 25 carries for 97 yards, which matched his season high.
As he walked up the tunnel to the locker room, he smiled in the camera and proclaimed: “I’m back! I’m back!” Quarterback Jared Goff, who benefits as much as anyone when Gurley is in a groove because it sets up play-action passes — like on the 50-yard completion to Kupp to set up the Rams’ first touchdown — ran up behind Gurley in the tunnel and grabbed his shoulders. He appeared to be emotional as he spoke in Gurley’s ear.
“I told him he fights,” Goff said later. “He fights, man. He’s been through the ringer and that dude fights. I couldn’t be more proud to be his teammate.”
With Gurley running well and the defense keeping the Bears out of the end zone, Goff was relieved of having to shoulder the load. His 18 pass attempts and 11 completions (for 173 yards) were both season lows. He did not throw a touchdown for the second straight week, but he walked away content because the team won.
“This is one of my favorite wins as a Ram, no doubt,” he said. “I think with all the circumstances, being at home in front of our home fans and the way that the game was going, I don’t care how many times I throw the ball, how many times we run the ball, how many completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns, interceptions — the way that game went, and the way that we fought, and the way that we continued to fight all the way until the end in that last drive … I think it’s up there in the top of my head as one of my favorite wins as a Ram, and again I couldn’t be prouder with the guys on this team.”
At some point Goff is going to be needed to carry a heavier load, perhaps this coming Sunday when quarterback Lamar Jackson brings the Ravens and their top-scoring offense to town. A third straight week with a negative turnover differential at his position likely won’t fare as well against Baltimore, which has been playing at an extremely high level of late.
But as much as the focus might be on Goff, who is expected to at least get back Cooks this week, the defense will face its greatest challenge to date.
“We have the players to step up,” said defensive end Michael Brockers. “Tonight we faced adversity, and we played through it. Our mindset is we have to play harder, we have to do more, our brothers need us.”
Added Weddle: “We know our identity; we’re a defensive-minded club and we’ve got to shut teams down to win. Our offense can control the ball and score when it has to, but we’ve got to hold teams down. That’s how we’re going to win.”
znModeratorThis was reviewed and still not called Pass Interference…đ€špic.twitter.com/MdnemiMvMs
— Stadium (@Stadium) November 17, 2019
znModeratorThe Omnivore’s Dilemma is a great book.
znModeratorA âbig, good-looking suckerâ and other surprising linemen made Todd Gurley look good again
Rich Hammond
LOS ANGELES â Andrew Whitworth walked off the Ramsâ practice field early in the week and felt something. He probably knew better than to express it, what with everyone ridiculing and writing off the Ramsâ offensive line, but Whitworth knows line play and knows football, and something grabbed him.
âThese guys are different,â Whitworth said Sunday night, after the Rams turned in perhaps their least-probable effort of the season in a 17-7 victory over the Chicago Bears at the Coliseum.
Who saw this coming? Austin Blythe as the cool, calm, pace-setting center? Bobby Evans as a rock at right tackle, sometimes while matched against one of the fiercest pass-rushers in the NFL? Austin Corbett, deemed unworthy to play for the Browns â the Browns! â opening holes at left guard?
The Rams shuffled almost their entire offensive line in one week and faced a Chicago defense that has one of the most stout front sevens in the NFL. It should have been a nightmare for the Rams. Instead, their line had arguably its most productive game of the season, with the Ramsâ season on the line.
The Rams had 31 designed run plays against the Bears, compared to only 18 passes. The results werenât sterling â the Rams averaged 3.2 yards per carry â but they stuck with it. Todd Gurley nearly rushed for 100 yards, and itâs been almost a full calendar year since he was a sure bet to reach 50 yards.
Gurley said he felt like âthe old Todd,â and thatâs because he was running behind what looked like the Ramsâ old line, the one that served as the centerpiece of the leagueâs best offense in 2017 and 2018. The Rams ran for 110 yards, their highest total since Week 2. Quarterback Jared Goff didnât look great but also did not get sacked once in 18 pass attempts (he completed 11, for 173 yards).
Given the circumstances â plus the fact that Blythe came down with stomach flu Thursday night â the Ramsâ line had no right to play this well.
âThatâs just such a good feeling as an offensive lineman,â Corbett said. âThatâs why we play the game. Thatâs why we play up front. We want to be able to be able to run the ball. Youâve got another grown man in front of you and youâve got to remove him. Thatâs what we look forward to and we were excited for that chance.â
Whitworth turns 38 next month and might have entered the game like a nervous father while playing alongside Corbett (24), Blythe (27) and two 22-year-old rookies: David Edwards and Evans. But after an early week walk-through practice, Whitworth felt a sense of calm, even though the Rams had lost center Brian Allen and veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein to injury.
Blythe, a natural center who transitioned to guard after the Rams claimed him in 2017, calmed teammates with a confident demeanor and did not seem overwhelmed by the moment. Edwards looked like a natural at right guard. And Corbett, well, Corbett just plain looked good.
âHeâs a big, good-looking sucker,â Whitworth said. âIâve only played with a couple guards that look like that guy. Heâs big, thick, athletic. When he puts on a pair of pads, you go, âMan.â Going down the tunnel, I heard a couple defensive guys say, âYou look good in a set of pads.â He does.â
Perhaps coach Sean McVay had similar good feelings. The Rams, naturally, didnât publicly share their game plan going into Sunday, but it could have gone one of two ways. The Rams could have thrown the ball 50 times, and as quickly as possible. Get ball, throw ball. Plan not to have Goff benefit from any blocking, and have him get rid of the ball within two seconds of the snap in order not to be mauled on a regular basis.
But thatâs not what happened. Shortly before kickoff, McVay approached Gurley with a message.
âHe just said he was going to pound the rock, so just get ready,â Gurley said with a grin.
That took some guts. The Bears have suffered some injury issues but still have a stout front and still have Khalil Mack. Theyâve made plenty of offenses suffer, and running the ball directly at them didnât necessarily seem to be the smartest strategy with a makeshift line.
The Rams went for it and stuck with it, even after Gurley fumbled on their first offensive play. Gurley, invisible for large stretches of this season, touched the ball on 12 of the Ramsâ first 17 plays and they had some success. Eventually, the Bears shifted to the type of 6-1 defensive front that gave the Rams fits in their run game late last season, but the Rams got what they needed.
Late in the first quarter, the Rams started a drive at their 37-yard line. They handed the ball to Gurley four consecutive times and he gained 34 yards to put the Rams in position for a Greg Zuerlein field goal and a 3-0 lead. The Rams never trailed.
âIt was great to see,â Blythe said. âThat was the old Todd, running and hitting holes hard, making guys miss and just flat-out outrunning guys. We needed it. Thatâs a great defensive front for the Bears. Theyâve got very good linebackers and defensive linemen who take up blockers. But we needed to do what we needed to do, play physical and run the football. Things worked out well, and credit the defense for us.â
Thereâs no question, and itâs also fair to note the Rams havenât solved their issues. Scoring 17 points is not enough, and wonât be enough when Baltimore comes to the Coliseum next week for a Monday-night showdown.
This could have been a disaster, though. Instead, the Rams now look like they have something to build around. What if Blythe is the long-term answer at center, not guard? What if Edwards and Evans are ready to hold down the right side of the offensive line, if not consistently this year â Havenstein is expected to return at some point â but in 2020?
And, perhaps most importantly, what if all of this is good for Gurley? He looked more confident in his reads and cuts than at almost any other time this season, and after the game he actually smiled and joked with reporters, a stark contrast to his recent dour demeanor. Gurley even sounded like the 2017 and 2018 postgame version of himself, praising the offensive linemen for his success.
âThose guys are some big guys,â Gurley said. âThey really did their thing. I really appreciate those guys for opening up holes for me and just getting things going for us.
âIt felt good, man. I guess I felt like the old Todd. It was cool. I was just happy that I was able to go out there and take advantage of it.â
znModeratorRams still alive in playoff chase after beating the Bears
Lindsey Thiry
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Ramsâ sideline erupted in celebration as running back Malcolm Brown plowed into the end zone late in the fourth quarter Sunday night, ensuring a 17-7 victory over the Chicago Bears and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
The Rams improved to 6-4, and they now turn their attention to the surging Baltimore Ravens, whom they will host on Monday Night Football on Nov. 25.
Playoff math and scoreboard watching have become part of the Ramsâ game-day routine as they keep alive slim hopes for a wild-card spot. The Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings remain ahead in the race. The Vikings won Sunday to improve to 8-3, while Seattle, 8-2, was on a bye.
QB breakdown: Throwing clearly wasnât part of coach Sean McVayâs game plan with receivers Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks inactive and an offensive line that featured three first-year starters. Quarterback Jared Goff completed 11 of 18 passes for 173 yards and an interception. On the Rams’ second possession, Goff threw a pass that was intercepted by Bears linebacker Roquan Smith. It was Goffâs 10th interception this season but his first thrown from outside of the pocket. Late in the second half, Goff completed a 50-yard pass to Cooper Kupp to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Todd Gurley II.
Gurley tracker: Gurley had his most productive performance of 2019 with 28 touches for a 133 all-purpose yards, both season highs. Gurley lost a fumble, his second of the season, on the Rams’ opening play, but he found momentum on their second possession, as he rushed for 16 yards on consecutive carries and caught a 23-yard pass, his longest reception of the season. Late in the second half, Gurley rushed 1 yard for a touchdown, breaking the Ramsâ streak of 23 possessions — dating to the third quarter of Week 8 — without a touchdown. Gurley rushed for 97 yards, tying his previous season high, and a touchdown on a season-high 25 carries. He now has gone eight straight games with fewer than 100 scrimmage yards, the second-longest streak of his career. Gurleyâs previous high was 101 all-purpose yards, which included 97 rushing yards, in a Week 1 victory over the Carolina Panthers. He had 19 touches in Weeks 2 and 7.
Pivotal play: In the second quarter, cornerback Troy Hill, who took over as a starter when cornerback Aqib Talib was injured and then traded, intercepted a pass by Mitchell Trubisky. The Rams converted the turnover into a 1-yard score by Gurley to take a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. Hill had six tackles and three pass deflections in the game.
Missing in action: Woods was a surprise scratch and did not attend the game because of a personal issue, a Rams spokesperson said. That left Goff without two of his three starting receivers. Cooks was ruled out early in the week, as the Rams continue to closely monitor his recovery from the two concussions he suffered last month. The Rams also played without right tackle Rob Havenstein, who was sidelined because of a knee injury. Rookie Bobby Evans, a third-round pick from Oklahoma, started in his absence.
znModeratorLos Angeles Rams@RamsNFL
When @SJD_51 takes the field today, two very special people will be in the stands watching him play in an NFL game.“It’s a big thank you to them.”
Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Five tackles for Sebastian Joseph-Day tonight, sharing with Michael Brockers for fourth-most by a Ram against the Bears.I’d say he did his parents proud tonight.
Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Austin Blythe told me this week: “I got drafted in 2016 as a center. I’ll finally be making my first start at center on Sunday.” (#Colts immediately moved him to guard, a bigger need. He’s been a starter at guard for #Rams the last two years) C might be his best position.Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams coach Sean McVay said he knew WR Robert Woods wasn’t going to play tonight “a couple hours before the game.”Woods was inactive for personal reasons.
McVay said he doesn’t have clarity yet on when Woods will return because he wants to check with him first.
“Out of respect for his family, thatâs why weâre just kind of leaving it at what it is,” McVay said.
Bears Insider@bears_insider
There was a feeling of finality in the bowels of L.A. Memorial Coliseum as #Bears100 filed out of the locker room losers for the 6th time. Did Mitch’s tenure as starter end in the final minutes with a hip injury? If not, their longshot playoff bid didESPN Los Angeles@ESPNLosAngeles
The #LARams keep up with the Niners (win) & Seahawks (bye). Todd Gurley compares the NFC West to the #NBA’s tough Western Conference.znModeratorJalen Ramsey on Troy Hillâs productive night @usatodaynfl @DowntownRams @thrilll_32 pic.twitter.com/uD7UiHEm6I
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) November 18, 2019
znModeratorSean McVay told Todd Gurley before Sunday nightâs game with Chicago that he was going to âpound the rock.â The result was the running backâs biggest workload in more than a calendar year. @usatodaynfl @DowntownRams @CVRamsClub pic.twitter.com/ZkOH8pDo6v
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) November 18, 2019
znModeratorJoe Curley@vcsjoecurley
Goff hits Reynolds for 26 yards and Everett for 20 yards to set up a 5-yard touchdown run by Malcolm Brown. Rams take a 17-7 lead with 3:31 to play at the Coliseum. @usatodaynfl @CVRamsClub @DowntownRams #CHIvsLARVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Heâs been dealing with a watered down/used Gurley run game and a bad offensive line all year and tonight, missing 2 WRâs and three OL and a game plan that reflected those dynamics. His team is 6-4 and should be 7-3 if not for a missed FG. Thereâs a lot going on.Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Jared Goff faced the lowest pressure rate *of his career* on Sunday night. The O-line was v. goodStu Jackson@StuJRams
Number of starts for members of Rams OL entering tonight’s game, excluding LT Andrew Whitworth:LG Austin Corbett – 1
C Austin Blythe â 26
RG David Edwards â 3
RT Bobby Evans â 0The Bears defense had 25 sacks entering Week 11, tied with Packers + Saints for 12th-most in NFL
SeattleRams@seattlerams_nfl
Over the last five weeks, the Rams defense has given up an average of 11.4 points a game.Eric Weddle@weddlesbeard
Nothing better than celebrating with my teammates. Great team win. Got a huge one with the best team in the league up next. Will be ready!!! Yeeeeeeeeee. Ice cream finally.znModeratorRich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Todd Gurley on his game: “It felt good, man. I guess I felt like the old Todd.”==
Throwback workload for Gurley: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2019/11/17/los-angeles-rams-chicago-bears-score/4226298002/
After not seeing the ball in the fourth quarter of last weekâs ugly 17-12 loss in Pittsburgh, Todd Gurley saw the ball more than any game this season.
The Rams running back, who hadnât had more than 19 touches in a game this season, had his 20th touch of the night midway through the third quarter.
Gurley finished with 25 carries and three catches, which was his biggest workload since he had 25 carries and six catches in the 29-27 win over Green Bay on Oct. 28, 2018.
He had 133 yards from scrimmage â 97 yards rushing on 25 carries and three catches for 36 yards â and a 1-yard touchdown run, set up by Jared Goffâs 50-yard pass to Cooper Kupp, gave the Rams a 10-0 lead with 3:28 left in the first half.
==
Zero sacks allowed. pic.twitter.com/jpwSYT3bsu
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 18, 2019
znModeratorMarqui Christian came out of nowhere đđ @callmequi_ pic.twitter.com/s1kBku1dIT
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 18, 2019
znModeratorDeflected and PICKED.
The @RamsNFL defense comes up with a takeaway. #LARams
đș: #CHIvsLAR on NBC
đ±: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/LfhSxx7irZ pic.twitter.com/hFJ7BhxLkn— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2019
znModeratorAndrew Whitworth kept saying over and over again in the locker room how proud he was of the young offensive linemen for stepping up tonight.
Iâd say this photo captures that perfect. #LARams https://t.co/FWdXCBJmat
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) November 18, 2019
znModeratorTodd Gurley and Jared Goff share a moment after Gurleyâs best game this year pic.twitter.com/MvrnhHkanD
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) November 18, 2019
znModeratorMax@maxpereztl
First thoughts on Rams vs. Bears1.) Rams and McVay adjusted offensively and changed their game totally
2.) Bobby Evans and David Edwards put on a show
3.) Defense stays elite
Vincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
I feel like it took Sean McVay a little while to gain enough confidence in the remade OL/WR groups to let loose in the pass game.Andrew Siciliano@AndrewSiciliano
Bobby Evans played a great game tonight==
5 takeaways from the Rams' 17-7 victory against Chicago https://t.co/emk3zGXBA5
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) November 18, 2019
znModeratorJ.B. Long@JB_Long
No update available from Sean McVay post-game as to when Robert Woods might rejoin the @RamsNFLJoe Curley@vcsjoecurley
Sean McVay says he found out WR Robert Woods wouldnât be available a couple hours before the game. Underlined it was a âpersonal matter.â âWe love him, respect him, support him and his family all the way.âNext Gen Stats@NextGenStats
The Rams relied more on 12 Personnel (1 RB, 2 TE) without wide receivers Brandin Cooks & Robert Woods (season-high 34 plays).Todd Gurley gained 92 of 97 rushing yards on runs out of 12 Personnel (3 carries, 5 yards from 11 Personnel).
Joe Curley@vcsjoecurley
McVay is asked whether weâll see Gurley this involved in the game plan going forward, âI think so.â Says good things normally happen for the offense the more Gurley is involved.znModeratorđŁ Break it down, @BobbyEvans44! pic.twitter.com/FR5uCMhYPi
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 18, 2019
znModeratorNot a lot of points, but a win is a win for the Rams. https://t.co/3uc6osUQYR
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 18, 2019
znModeratorALL THE FEELS.
(@BobbyEvans44 went to @OU_Football btw đ @OgboOkoronkwo) pic.twitter.com/lzqSYul0ZZ
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 18, 2019
znModerator— Michelle Bruton (@MichelleBruton) November 18, 2019
znModeratorNick Wagoner
ESPN Staff WriterThe 49ers are resilient but they have a lot to fix heading into a critical three-game stretch. To their credit, the 9-1 Niners have found myriad ways to win this season, including Sunday’s come-from-behind thriller against Arizona. But they have also found themselves in a bit of a rut in some areas that powered their 8-0 start. With Green Bay, Baltimore and New Orleans next on the schedule, the 49ers will need to clean all of that up if they want to maintain control of the NFC playoff picture.
znModeratorWhat does the Oline look like?
It appears to be AW Cobbert Blythe Edwards Evans
znModeratorTurfShowTimes@TurfShowTimes
Rams avoid calamity at tight end.TE Gerald Everett, TE Tyler Higbee and TE Johnny Mundt were all âquestionable.â
All active.
znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams WR Robert Woods is inactive for tonight’s game against the Bears because of a personal issue, according to a team spokesperson.Lindsey Thiry@LindseyThiry
So the Rams only starting WR available tonight is Cooper Kupp, who did not practice Friday because of a stomach bug.WR Robert Woods INACTIVE
WR Brandin Cooks INACTIVEVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
Re #Rams WR situation. Mike Thomas has been quietly biding his time. He was a star during camp, but when youâre playing behind the guys he is, game reps are hard to come by. But he can play.znModeratorMike Sando@SandoNFL
@AZCardinals lead @49ers 16-0 and have possessed the ball 16:04 to 4:53 so far â with SF coming off a short week and draining defeat.znModeratorCharley Casserly@CharleyCasserly
The @bears Keys vs @RamsNFL 1-Control LOS with your DL. 2-Stay disciplined in your lanes to stop the run. 3-Pressure Goff. He is struggling vs pressure. 4-Double Donald on pass situations. 5-Throw at CB Hill 6-Trap Donald to run ball at himznModeratorFitz keeps scoring TDs đȘ#ARIvsSF
(via @NFL)
— PFF (@PFF) November 17, 2019
znModeratorNick Wagoner@nwagoner
#49ers have a few issues right now but the run game’s disappearance recently is near the top of the list. They had five carries for 7 yards in first quarter after averaging just 3.24 yards per carry past two weeks.znModeratorMinn wins. Rats.
Will Brinson@WillBrinson
Teams trailing by 20+ points at halftime are 0-99 over the last five seasons. -
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