"It's awesome to be the first back-to-back."@NFL Way to Play award goes to @weddlesbeard for the second week in the row! 👏

Weddle will be donating the $2,500 equipment grants to Poway HS + Rancho Bernardo Pop Warner programs!

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 27, 2019

zn wrote:

nittany ram wrote:

Note that the logo has no yellow in it.

Only blue and white.

If it’s real. Some twitter folk have their doubts.

Example.

..

Just a reminder that the logo on the left is an official NFL logo. It’s professional and finished. The one on the right looks like that of a Mickey Mouse sketch. That would never fly in the NFL. Good sketch but that will not be the Rams 2020 logo. pic.twitter.com/xa6gh2gOgJ

— DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR] (@DowntownRams) September 28, 2019

Billy_T wrote:

the talk about the storied franchise history of the Cleveland Browns, before the Rams/Browns game.

In reality, that storied history is in Baltimore now.

Yeah I thought the exact same thing when hearing that.

What do we think Rams fans? The logo on the right has been leaked as the new Rams logo…I don’t hate it. #NewRamsLogo #LARams pic.twitter.com/pUUteQjyr8

— Ｍｉｃｈａｅｌ (@mpatt11) September 28, 2019

Will Goff go off against the Buccaneers?

J.B. Long

https://www.therams.com/news/will-goff-go-off-against-the-buccaneers

All eyes on the offense this week, and we’ll have plenty of notes about that side of the football as the Rams prepare to host the Bucs.

But first, I’d like to draw your attention to something that simply isn’t supposed to happen.

Take out the Week 17 game against the 49ers in 2017 – as we always do – when the Rams had clinched and were resting starters.

Los Angeles hasn’t lost to a non-playoff team since Week 2 of Sean McVay’s first season. And that Washington group is the only sub-.500 team to defeat the Rams in two-plus years. Since then, when the Rams really turned the corner and the winning culture took root, they’ve reliably beaten the teams they were expected to beat.

The other regular season losses? They’ve been to opponents like the 13-3 Vikings of 2017, the 13-3 Eagles of 2017 who won the Super Bowl, and the 13-3 Saints of 2018 who hosted the Rams in last year’s NFC Championship. On average, teams who’ve defeated McVay’s Rams in the regular season have gone on to win 10.86 contests.

In the sport of “Any Given Sunday,” there are no gimme games (unless you’re playing this year’s Dolphins, I guess). And this Sunday is no exception. Tampa Bay absolutely could march into the Coliseum and topple Los Angeles.

In fact, the Bucs are the perfect illustration of this NFL truth. They’re one goal line stand away from being 0-3; they’re one chip shot field goal away from being 2-1.

In aggregate, though, the Bucs don’t look like a playoff team. And history tells us, it takes a playoff team to run with the Rams.

Q-B-1s

The Rams face another former No. 1 overall selection at quarterback this week in Jameis Winston. If you’re scoring at home, that’s three of them in the first four weeks of the season (Cam Newton and Baker Mayfield).

According to star researcher Jake Temme, a win would make the Rams just the third team in the last 20 years to start 4-0 while facing that many No. 1 overall picks at quarterback, joining the 1999 Patriots and 2016 Broncos.

As the top selection from 2016, Jared Goff already has a sterling track record against his peers. He’s 7-1 career against No. 1 picks, with his only defeat versus Carson Palmer at the end of Goff’s rookie season.

Goff’s Been Off

Despite the 3-0 record, it’s been a lackluster start to Year Four for the Rams signal-caller. By any measure, he’s underachieved relative to his standard and that of Pro Bowl quarterbacks. His touchdown rate and yards per attempt are down, his interception rate is up, and he’s fumbled three times.

Does he need better offensive line play? Yes.

Is life easier in the calm of the Coliseum than the din of the Dawg Pound? No question.

Could he benefit from a more run-heavy game plan? Perhaps.

But while there are certainly things everyone can do to help Goff achieve in the way we’ve become accustomed to, I’d assert that it’s time for Jared to elevate the play of the other 10 Rams around him. That’s what franchise quarterbacks do.

The Rams offense has been imperfect in three wins to date. It’s incumbent on their most important player to start concealing those blemishes.

Win the Toss, Take the Football

Perhaps nothing is more confounding than the first half blues Los Angeles has endured.

The Rams have yet to score a touchdown in the first quarter, and have amassed just 22 first half points.

One thought?

Take the football first.

The Rams have had great success starting on defense. In three games, they’ve come up with two takeaways and allowed zero points. By deferring, there’s the added benefit of receiving the third quarter kickoff.

But for change’s sake, if they are fortunate enough to win the coin toss on Sunday versus Tampa Bay?

Take the ball. Start on offense. Put it in the end zone. And put this narrative to bed.

(Same difference: Bucs win the toss and defer.)

Early Down Success

It’s not just early game success we’re looking for this week, but specifically early down success.

Inspired by this week’s Coach McVay Show, Ted Nguyen of the Athletic dove into the Rams struggles against the Lions/Bears/Patriots model.

One major takeaway was how off-schedule the offense has been as a biproduct. In 2018, they averaged 6.53 yards per play on first and second downs, which ranked second in the NFL. They’re averaging 5.09 yards per play on early downs in 2019, which ranks 24th in the league.

If you were to focus on one primary indicator for Week 4, I’d monitor what distances the Rams have left to cover on third downs. If it’s fewer than four yards, great. If it’s five or more, could be trouble.

The Buc Stops Here?

Unsure what to make of this Bucs defense? You’re not alone.

On the plus-side, they’ve been phenomenal against the run despite facing Christian McCaffrey and Matt Breida in the early schedule.

Tampa Bay also has the best pass rush win rate in the NFL and sack leader Shaq Barrett.

So how could they possibly fall victim to 300-yard passing performances from a wounded Cam Newton and rookie Daniel Jones making his first career start?

After fielding one of the worst pass defenses in history in 2018, Bruce Arians declared those issues “totally fixed” this summer.

Perhaps not.

Can Goff and the Rams capitalize after failing to do so against a depleted Browns secondary in Week 3?

Doubling Donald

Opposing offenses have taken it to another level when it comes to doubling Aaron Donald. ESPN data indicates the most dominant defensive force in the game has seen at least two blockers on 72 percent of his pass rushes as a defensive tackle this season, up from a stunning rate of 64 percent a year ago.

As my colleague D’Marco Farr pointed out this week, “What are they thinking on the other 30 percent?!?”

Seriously.

The brilliance of Donald is being leveraged by Wade Phillips, Joe Barry, and new defensive line coach Eric Henderson, as not only is he aligning everywhere to avoid those doubles, but Dante Fowler, Clay Matthews, and Michael Brockers are thriving in one-on-one situations all around him.

The Checklist

Lastly, through my Rams-tinted shades, I see an abundance of reasons to be optimistic that this 3-0 team hasn’t even approached its potential.

Look at all the entirely reasonable things that have yet to happen in 2019:

A non-offensive touchdown. The Rams had 11 of them between 2017-18.

A special teams splash play. About time for a blocked punt, is it not?

A Robert Woods touchdown. He was robbed versus the Saints.

Todd Gurley hasn’t made a play in the passing game. Neither has Gerald Everett. Shoot, Josh Reynolds doesn’t have a reception of any kind.

Aaron Donald hasn’t forced a fumble. None of the Rams corners have an interception. I could go on.

Point being, there are a ton of great things ahead for the Rams individually and collectively, based solely on their firmly established track records.

Perhaps Week 4 is the day.

zn

In the first half of each game, the Rams got (1) 112 yards and 13 points, (2) 173 yards and 6 points, and (3) 144 yards and 3 points.

In the 2nd half of each game, they got (1) 237 yards and 17 points, (2) 207 yards and 21 points, and (3) 200 yards and 17 points.

In fact according to teamrankings.com the Rams are 2nd in the league in 2nd half points. In contrast they are 25th in first half points.

NFL Week 4 picks: Who the experts are taking in Rams vs. Bucs

According to NFL Pick Watch https://nflpickwatch.com/ 99 percent of experts are taking the Rams with only 1 percent picking Tampa Bay.

The only expert picking the Bucs to pull off the upset on Sunday is Will Brinson of CBS Sports. Everyone else is taking the Rams to win straight-up. That’s not surprising, given the lopsided matchup this is for Los Angeles.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-told-russian-officials-in-2017-he-wasnt-concerned-about-moscows-interference-in-us-election/2019/09/27/b20a8bc8-e159-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html

That’s the Washington Post and they have limited access only. So I’m just going to provide the whole article, here.

THE ARTICLE:

—

Trump told Russian officials in 2017 he wasn’t concerned about Moscow’s interference in U.S. election

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-told-russian-officials-in-2017-he-wasnt-concerned-about-moscows-interference-in-us-election/2019/09/27/b20a8bc8-e159-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html

President Trump told two senior Russian officials in a 2017 Oval Office meeting that he was unconcerned about Moscow’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election because the United States did the same in other countries, an assertion that prompted alarmed White House officials to limit access to the remarks to an unusually small number of people, according to three former officials with knowledge of the matter.

The comments, which have not been previously reported, were part of a now-infamous meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, in which Trump revealed highly classified information that exposed a source of intelligence on the Islamic State. He also said during the meeting that firing FBI Director James B. Comey the previous day had relieved “great pressure” on him.

A memorandum summarizing the meeting was limited to a few officials with the highest security clearances in an attempt to keep the president’s comments from being disclosed publicly, according to the former officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

The White House’s classification of records about Trump’s communications with foreign officials is now a central part of the impeachment inquiry launched this week by House Democrats. An intelligence community whistleblower has alleged that the White House placed a record of Trump’s July 25 phone call with Ukraine’s president, in which he offered U.S. assistance investigating his political opponents, into a code-word classified system reserved for the most sensitive intelligence information.

The White House did not provide a comment Friday.

It is not clear whether a memo documenting the May 10, 2017, meeting with Lavrov and Kislyak was placed into that system, but the three former officials said it was restricted to a very small number of people. The White House had recently begun limiting the records of Trump’s calls after remarks he made to the leaders of Mexico and Australia appeared in news reports. The Lavrov memo was restricted to an even smaller group, the former officials said.

A fourth former official, who did not recall the president’s remarks to the Russian officials, said memos were restricted only to people who needed to know their contents.

“It was more about learning how can we restrict this in a way that still informs the policy process and the principals who need to engage with these heads of state,” the fourth former official said.

But the three former officials with knowledge of the remarks said some memos of the president’s communications were kept from people who might ordinarily have access to them. The Lavrov memo fit that description, they said.

White House officials were particularly distressed by Trump’s election remarks because it appeared the president was forgiving Russia for an attack that had been designed to help elect him, the three former officials said. Trump also seemed to invite Russia to interfere in other countries’ elections, they said.

The previous day, Trump had fired Comey amid the FBI’s investigation into whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russia. White House aides worried about the political ramifications if Trump’s comments to the Russian officials became public.

Trump had publicly ridiculed the Russia investigation as politically motivated and said he doubted Moscow had intervened in the election. By the time he met with Lavrov and Kislyak, Trump had been briefed by the most senior U.S. intelligence officials about the Russian operation, which was directed by Russian President Vladi­mir Putin and included the theft and publication of Democratic emails and the seeding of propaganda in social media, according to the findings of the U.S. intelligence community.

Trump’s firing of Comey touched off an investigation into whether the president had tried to obstruct the FBI’s probe. His comments about Comey’s dismissal being a relief, which were first reported the same month by the New York Times, reinforced suspicions that Trump dismissed Comey because the FBI was investigating him.

According to the fourth former official, Trump lamented to Lavrov that “all this Russia stuff” was detrimental to good relations. Trump also complained, “I could have a great relationship with you guys, but you know, our press,” this former official said, characterizing the president’s remarks.

H.R. McMaster, the president’s then-national security adviser, repeatedly told Trump he could not trust the Russians, according to two former officials.

On some areas, Trump conveyed U.S. policy in a constructive way, such as telling the Russians that their aggression in Ukraine was not good, one of those former officials said.

“What was difficult to understand was how they got a free pass on a lot of things — election security and so forth,” this former official said. “He was just very accommodating to them.”

The former official observed that Trump has “that streak of moral equivalency,” recalling how he once dismissed a question about the assassination of journalists and dissidents in Putin’s Russia by telling Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly: “There are a lot of killers. You think our country’s so innocent?”

Another former official said Trump wasn’t the only one to conflate Russia’s interference in the U.S. elections with U.S. efforts to promote democracy and good governance abroad.

The president and his top aides seemed not to understand the difference between Voice of America, a U.S.-supported news organization that airs in foreign countries, with Russian efforts to persuade American voters by surreptitiously planting ads in social media, this person said.

One former senior official said Trump regularly defended Russia’s actions, even in private, saying no country is pure. “He was always defensive of Russia,” this person said, adding the president had never made such a specific remark about interference in their presence.

“He thought the whole interference thing was ridiculous. He never bought into it.”

Thanks z.

And…interesting thread.

#LARams Friday injury report:

• OL Austin Blythe (ankle) – Full
• TE Tyler Higbee (chest) – Full
• Aqib Talib (not injury related) – Full
• DL Michael Brockers (illness) – Full
• T Andrew Whitworth (not injury related) – Full
• RB Todd Gurley II (not injury related) – DNP

— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 27, 2019

Trap game against Tampa Bay? Not for these ‘extremely focused’ Rams

Vincent Bonsignore

https://theathletic.com/1247738/2019/09/27/trap-game-against-tampa-bay-not-for-these-extremely-focused-rams/

After three high-profile games to start the season, and a showdown against the rival Seattle Seahawks looming next Thursday night in the Pacific Northwest, the Rams find themselves in a bit of a predicament welcoming the one-win Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Coliseum on Sunday.

The game has all the makings of a trap game. But seven months into his tenure with the Rams, veteran safety Eric Weddle has already noticed something different about his new team. And it gives him confidence there is little chance the Rams are overlooking the Buccaneers.

“Normally, yeah. But this team is an extremely focused group,” Weddle said. “I said that from the minute I got here. We get the most out of every day. We don’t care about the limelight or who gets the pub. It’s about the team. It’s about all 11 guys playing together and being successful on defense and playing as one.

“We take that focus into meetings, when we’re hanging out, when we’re talking ball. … It’s always on our mind.”

That focus — along with the Rams not exactly satisfied with how they’ve played offensively — could set up a breakout situation against the Buccaneers in which the Rams finally put together a full four-quarter effort.

Also, it looks like right guard Austin Blythe and tight end Tyler Higbee are on track to return on Sunday after missing last week with ankle and chest injuries, respectively. Both players play important roles in the Rams’ run and pass games as blockers.

Here is a closer look at the matchup on Sunday (1:05 p.m. PT on FOX).

What happened last week?

The Rams used a decisive defensive effort and just enough second-half offense to beat the Browns 20-13 in Cleveland. Playing in one of the most anticipated games of the season, the Rams were able to slow down quarterback Baker Mayfield and star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. by getting pressure on Mayfield and eliminating Beckham’s big-play potential with a combination of sound cover schemes and great open-field tackling.

The Rams offense began the night slowly. But it rebounded in the second half to create just enough cushion to absorb a late push by the Browns.

The Rams hope to eliminate the slow offensive starts by being more mentally prepared at the outset of games — especially with the offensive line — and avoiding costly errors and penalties. Their solid second halves are proof they are well-equipped from a talent and execution standpoint. Now it’s just a matter of getting into a groove earlier.

Current state of the team

The Rams are happy to be 3-0, but they’re not satisfied. The slow offensive starts are the primary culprit for their lack of contentment, but the team’s issues have come from a combination of some surprising things — what opposing teams are doing defensively, the manner in which Todd Gurley is being used, the growing pains of young offensive linemen and Jared Goff not being sharp.

The Rams believe these problems can be solved, and they feel they’re closing in on the efficiency and rhythm that’s been missing thus far.

On the other hand, their defense has been excellent this season. Aaron Donald continues to wreak havoc, Weddle is providing steady leadership alongside young star John Johnson, and Clay Matthews and Dante Fowler Jr. are creating heat off the edge. Cory Littleton is off to another strong start at inside linebacker, too.

Pulse of the fanbase

In a sign that things have certainly changed in terms of expectations for the once-struggling Rams, their fanbase, much like the players within their own locker room, is simply not satisfied despite a 3-0 start.

The Rams can do better, and that is reflected in how their fans are reacting to a record that would have left them doing backflips a few years ago but now has them wondering what can be done to recapture the explosive level on offense from the last two seasons.

What’s been working

A rock-solid defense has been denying teams big plays, protecting the end zone and giving the offense enough time to find itself in the second half. It’s a formula that has worked in three straight wins so far, but it’s one they want to alter a bit by creating a much more efficient offense to start games.

One of the keys to the Rams preventing big plays is a fundamentally sound secondary that has minimized pass completions with crisp tackling. The leaders on that front have been safeties Taylor Rapp, Johnson and Weddle.

“People are going to throw the ball and catch the ball on you no matter what. You’ve got to make the play when the ball is thrown down the field, make the tackle at eight yards, instead of 15 or 20 or 25, whatever,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “We have some good tacklers on defense. John Johnson is an outstanding tackler. Rapp has come in — he’s got the right name — he wraps up.

“Weddle, they (the Browns) ran the draw on fourth-and-9 (and) everybody said, ‘Wow,’ but he came up and made a great tackle, his one-on-one tackle with their best back. We’ve tackled well.”

Weaknesses

The Rams’ young offensive line has simply not been up to par early in games, and the culprit has been some mental and assignment breakdowns that have curtailed production early in games. Some of that was to be expected as the Rams were breaking in new starters at left guard with Joe Noteboom and at center with Brian Allen.

Clearly, they’ll take the three wins during the transition process, but the Rams need to create more cohesion on the offensive line. They hope to take a step in that direction on Sunday.

“Speaking especially for the O-line, we have to do a better job preparing throughout the week,” right tackle Rob Havenstein said. “Whether that’s in the film room or — and it’s 100 percent on the players (because I) think we have a good plan that’s been sent down from our coaches — but you know, especially, we’ve got a lot of young guys right now and we need to take that next step and not have any surprises and not knowing assignments.

“We need to make it a technique game. Which is when we’re very good.”

Matchup to watch

I’m keeping my eye on the Rams offensive line vs. the Tampa Bay defensive line. So many of the Rams’ early offensive woes are the result of the offensive line simply not playing up to its potential.

X-factor

I feel like Marcus Peters might lure Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston into a couple of mistakes. He might even return an interception for a touchdown to break the game open.

The Rams win if …

… they protect Goff. If they do, he’ll take care of the rest.

Goff has been working under duress far too often. And while he showed against Cleveland he can make plays with his feet when needed, that is hardly the blueprint for success for the fourth-year quarterback. He’s at his best when he’s operating in clean pockets and making plays down the field.

Prediction

Rams 31, Buccaneers 16.

TexasRam

I went back and carefully watched the oline in the first 3 games this year. Reviewing each snap multple times to evaluate each player.

Here is what i came away with:

Allen- greatly improved from week 1. I was freaking out before the season that Allen wouldn’t cut it at this level. I was wrong. He’s improved each week and is so quick and assignment sound in the run game that he might have a pro bowl trajectory in his future. His pass pro was also really good in the Browns game, let’s see if he can do it again.

Noteboom- Right now he is as good a pass blocker as Saffold was, due to his quick feet and good technique. He just needs more time with learning how to get out and block his man on the Rb pitches, jet sweeps and generally how to get in position to block a LB at the second level. He is also not as strong as Saffold was so is way behind Saffold as a run blocker. probably kicks to LT next year so maybe a mute point.

Whitworth- Still Excellent. starting to struggle with the inside move from the DE, but still real good against the edge rush and in the run game due to perfect technique and positioning.

Blythe- Seriously, He is a phenom in my book. He consistently knows his assignment every play and uses perfect technique that it becomes a joy to watch him operate. Both in the run game and the pass game. He gets out in the run game so quickly and to the right guy in perfect position like every dam play. He doesn’t have great push or strength, we all know that but it usually doesn’t matter. it’s gettin to the right guy and walling him off and sustaining the block. And he does that well, almost every play. In the pass game he does this as well and often covers the trash or broken blocks of Hav or other stunts coming in the middle. Will Blythe get manhandled on occasion? yes it does happen, but it’s actually pretty rare. And PFF and other sites confirm that. The dropoff from Blythe to Demby is massive.

Demby- Demby right now is a huge problem. For those that said he looked ok against Cleveland, please go watch snap by snap. If I was Gurley or Goff I would be in Mcvays office on Monday like “ Look boss, Demby needs more time before he’s in an actual game”. Demby first off just doesn’t know the system well, he really looks lost in the run block game when he kicks out and try’s to find his assignment. But even if he got to the right man his technique is so bad he just can’t help out. He might eventually be a Pro Bowl guard for all i know and maybe he improved quickly with more time, but right now it’s offensive suicide. If he was holding his own in the pass game maybe, but right now that’s as bad as his run blocking. assignement and technique are bad. That’s not to mention the penalty’s. I’m rooting for Demby and maybe Kromer sees a future star, it’s possible. Allen has come a long way in 3 games. But right now Demby is killing the drives and a huge disruption of the flow of our offense. I’m not going to question Dembys effort because i don’t know why a player wouldn’t give full effort. But he does look like he gives half ass effort sometimes. I think that is due to uncertainty of his assignment or the fact that he wants to avoid a holding penalty and has such bad technique that he is unsure how to engage a blocker legally at this level.

Havenstein- Same as last year. A Monster in the run game and solid in pass pro except against elite pass rushers We need to acknowledge when he’s facing an Elite rusher and chip his side.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers might face Rams’ Aaron Donald shorthanded
The Bucs may be without center Ryan Jensen when they take on the Rams and their superstar defensive tackle.

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/09/26/tampa-bay-buccaneers-might-face-rams-aaron-donald-shorthanded/

TAMPA — The task of containing Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is difficult on its own, and the Bucs might have to do so without being at full strength on their offensive line.

Starting center Ryan Jensen missed practice Wednesday with a back injury and didn’t participate in Thursday’s session open to the media, making his status for Sunday’s game in Los Angeles uncertain.

If Jensen can’t play, veteran swing lineman Earl Watford could make his first NFL start at center — he has 22 starts but none since Week 13 of the 2017 season and all at tackle or guard — or the Bucs could shift left guard Ali Marpet there.

Donald, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, offers a tough challenge. Last season he led the league with 201/2 sacks and 25 tackles for a loss.

“It’s hard to find someone better than Aaron Donald,” Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said. “He’s really one of greatest to ever play. And we’ll give him that respect.”

The Bucs have allowed 10 sacks in their first three games, their average of 3.3 a game ranking 23rd in the league entering Thursday.

Defensive lineman Patrick O’Connor, promoted from the practice squad Wednesday, has played the role of Donald for the Bucs in practice this week.

“Just give great effort, use great hands,” O’Connor said. “He displays the most athleticism as a defensive lineman, so I just give my best effort with it. Just constant hand movement, fast feet all the way through, power, just the whole complete package. It’s what he does after (his first step). He’s constantly moving. He’s always going to his second move, third move.”

Marpet said Donald “kind of has the green light to do what he needs.”

“He’s able to disrupt plays,” Marpet said. “He’s definitely got a great first step. He’s athletic. He’s great with his hands. One of the things why he’s so good is he has a lot of different pass rushes and he’s able to do a lot of things really well.”

Leftwich said Jameis Winston’s fourth-quarter interception against the Giants on Sunday didn’t influence the Bucs running the ball on their entire next drive, ultimately forcing them to settle for a field goal that kept it a one-score game late.

Leading 31-25, Winston was intercepted, but the Bucs got the ball back two plays later on Shaq Barrett’s forced fumble. The Bucs then ran the ball seven straight plays, moving 37 yards on six straight handoffs to Ronald Jones before a handoff to Peyton Barber on a run-pass option play netted no gain on third and 2 from the New York 5-yard line.

After his interception against the Giants, the Bucs ran the ball nine consecutive plays and settled for a field goal in the 32-31 loss.

“We’re trying to win games,” Leftwich said. “And we’re trying to put ourselves in the best position to win games. We weren’t predicting the nine runs. We were just having success on the ground, and we’ve just got to find a way to score points there if it’s running or throwing, whatever it is.

“But we felt as though — I didn’t know it was nine straight runs — those were the plays that were best for us to score points.”

Rams-Buccaneers Preview: Jameis Winston Turnovers Will Decide Game

Rams-Buccaneers Preview: Jameis Winston Turnovers Will Decide Game

Los Angeles, CA (CBSLA)- The Los Angeles Rams return home with an unblemished record for a matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday.

Entering the game, the Rams offense is still looking to find its groove. One of the league’s most potent units last season, the Rams are ninth in points per game through three weeks, averaging a little over 25 per outing. That number has gone down each week, however, with the team scoring 30 in the opener, followed by 27 against the Saints and just 20 last week.

Despite an offense still finding its top gear, the defense has been impressive, stifling opponents so far. That unit, and the promise of the offense returning to form, is why the Rams are currently favored by 9.5 points over the Bucs. Aside from the defense, quarterback Jared Goff has proven to be a more effective player at home this year, leading the experts to believe he may be in for a big day.

“The Rams haven’t been overly impressive, but they keep covering. 7-1 against the number, dating to last season, with the only exception being the Super Bowl,” said SportsLine analyst Larry Hartstein. “You look at Jared Goff’s 112 passer rating at home, only 74 on the road. It was the same disparity last year. He’s going to be at home, look for a big game from Jared Goff.”

It wouldn’t surprise to see Goff go off against the Buccaneers, as Tampa Bay just allowed Giants rookie Daniel Jones to pick them apart to the tune of 330 yards and two passing touchdowns last week. That said, the Bucs should have won that game, had it not been for a pair of missed extra points and a late missed field goal. Bruce Arians has the offense playing well, and the defense has been improved under Todd Bowles. In order to keep the game close and potentially steal a victory, Hartstein says there is one big key to watch.

“It’s all going to come down to Jameis Winston and the turnovers. He has four interceptions and one fumble, most of those happened against the 49ers,” said Hartstein. “But, he’s facing an elite defense in the Rams, an elite secondary. If he can limit himself to one turnover, I think Tampa can make this a ball game.”