8-67 Versus Winning Teams. That Can't Be <checking earpiece> I'm Actually Being Told That Is Correct.

[RamPower]

Bottom post of the previous page:

I came back to it because I thought it was interesting that Stafford has always struggled against good teams with some exceptions like the Tampa game. On the flip side Goff generally played well against strong competition but would sometimes lay a major huevo against poor teams like the Fins last year and also the Jets. The Lions in 2018 etc. Always dominated the Cards but always sucked against the niners. Goff always looked so calm in prime time games but Stafford has the deer in the headlights look in those big primetime games.
Goff in the Tampa Monday nighter last season. 51 pass attempts and a pretty good game. 3 TD's and almost 400 yards passing. Couple weeks later he lights up the Cards and goes 37 of 47 attempts for 351 yards and a big win. That Monday nighter against the Bears 23 of 33 and 2 TD's.
I guess in primetime Goff looked good within the system and Stafford has not looked good on the big stage. 0-3 in the playoffs.

Some valid points, but I have to disagree about the dear in the headlights look. That was Goff to a tee. BUT, in Goff's defense he did show up at times in big games.

That being said....I cant figure out Stafford. He is very up and down. One week, its lights out... the other, it looks like his lights got knocked out. But bottomline, you know Stafford is an upgrade. You have to know that. Come on Toasty... but it is discouraging when we have a QB go from MVP talk to lets NOT extend him YET, talk.

No one in here is denying that Stafford has crapped the bed in the past two weeks. But, lets give it till the end of the season. The issue is, im not sure what QB would do good when your OL isn't blocking, your head coach wont establish a run and your receivers drop the ball like we have been doing lately OR let the ball go through their hands to give it to the defense...

This wkend will tell me what we are made of.

Agree?

Neither Goff or Stafford are huge play extenders with their legs of course. Dominate the Rams O-line and derail the running game is a good way to slow a pocket passer down obviously. Everybody is not Tom Brady in the pocket. Most of today's top QB's have the legs.

We know why Goff struggled the last two years in LA. We know why Stafford did the last two games. The Rams physically have been steamrolled. And I said I didn't think the Titans were as good as their record relative to the League overall. It's kinda of the Cardinals, and then everyone else. The Rams can struggle with the physical teams.

Give Stafford some field position, some reasonable pocket of comfort and legit run game. Goff could look good under the right conditions too, but Stafford is simply the better QB = what's Goff's record in Detroit if that's Stafford's measure? It's not about crapping the bed, it's about why did it happen. The Rams have to play physical in this second half the season. McVay isn't going to run the ball if he see's it shut down at the LOS and the O-line being dominated - he's going to turn the game over to Stafford, Stafford who has seen that before (lack of run support and playing from behind).

The Rams to a man were embarrassed by TENN & SF. OMG yes the drops alone vs. SF. That whole game went off the rails. It's a long season, but the Rams can't play soft anymore regardless. A lot of teams can still make a run, or self destruct.

[toast49]

Neither Goff or Stafford are huge play extenders with their legs of course. Dominate the Rams O-line and derail the running game is a good way to slow a pocket passer down obviously. Everybody is not Tom Brady in the pocket. Most of today's top QB's have the legs.

We know why Goff struggled the last two years in LA. We know why Stafford did the last two games. The Rams physically have been steamrolled. And I said I didn't think the Titans were as good as their record relative to the League overall. It's kinda of the Cardinals, and then everyone else. The Rams can struggle with the physical teams.

Give Stafford some field position, some reasonable pocket of comfort and legit run game. Goff could look good under the right conditions too, but Stafford is simply the better QB = what's Goff's record in Detroit if that's Stafford's measure? It's not about crapping the bed, it's about why did it happen. The Rams have to play physical in this second half the season. McVay isn't going to run the ball if he see's it shut down at the LOS and the O-line being dominated - he's going to turn the game over to Stafford, Stafford who has seen that before (lack of run support and playing from behind).

The Rams to a man were embarrassed by TENN & SF. OMG yes the drops alone vs. SF. That whole game went off the rails. It's a long season, but the Rams can't play soft anymore regardless. A lot of teams can still make a run, or self destruct.

Well said RP. This goes in line with what NorCal and others have been saying, that we just aren't physical. And it is absolutely true. We are a finesse team, but if you dont even have time to get to the finesse part... it does us no good (See AZ, TEN and 9ers games). We are soft and if we dont start playing smash mouth football, we're gonna get punked around the field time and time again.

some questions ill be asking myself before the GB game...

1. Will McVay right the ship and stop w the crazy calls. Why are we going all out on first downs? Why not establish something of a run? I much rather be 3rd and 3 than 3rd and 9. We tend to get in this hole and we start digging so deep, we cant find the strength or know how on how to dig our way out of it.

2. Can our D stop this dink and dunk crap. I mean, with Goffs game, he could beat us right now. He loves the dink and dunk. We play so soft w this bend dont break D, its now coming back to haunt us.

3. Are we playing physical SMART football? Can we just own the clock. If we give our D the proper rest, I think they could be better. Tough to win ball games when the TOP is like 40 minutes to 18 minutes or whatever.

4. And my BIGGEST question, does this team have the heart to win. Do they want it? Even though they all still get their millions, do they actually care about winning and being the team we were against 7 other teams this year in those wins?

There is no better place and time for these questions to be answered than cold as balls Green Bay. The toughest place to play in the winter w a QB that just won MVP last season.

Do we have what it takes? We shall see my friend

I said before that McVay has staffordized the offense with Stafford's help of course. I think there's a reason why the Lions never had a strong ground game with Stafford. Both McVay and Stafford need to get that ground game going. Get Stafford under center and run, then get some play action rolls going, I don't care if Stafford likes that or not. What happened to the jet sweep?

[harkin]

Stanford’s record with the Lions is meaningless.

What matters is this year.

After starting out very hot he’s fallen off the past few weeks. I firmly believe he is good enough for a deep run in the playoffs. What I’m not sure of is that this coaching staff can get this team in the right frame of mind to be the blue-collar bullies that attack on both offense and defense every damn down.

Finesse does not win big games, power and determination does.

[Utah Rams Fan]

After Deadspin's implosion, it came back in the form of Defector. Most of the good writers with a lot of the same tone to their stuff. Fun site.

Every year, Drew Magary does a series called 'Why Your Team Sucks'. It's a satirical look at a preview for each team, with letters from fans of that team published at the end. Most are pretty funny.

Anyway, Drew throws in a nugget about Matt Stafford, that I only assumed was some of his usual hyperbole, just to get a laugh. So I check it out. Nope...all very real.

What is Matt Stafford record against winning teams?

What is Matthew Stafford's record against winning teams? Since entering the NFL in 2009, Matthew Stafford is 8-67 (. 106) against teams that finished the season with a winning record. (Feb 17, 2021)

How is that even possible?

Last I looked, Stafford isn't a MLB pitcher.
He was a talented QB for a loser of a team.

Even Sandy Koufax could go 0-17 with a lousy team, by losing them all 1-0.

[Commish]

The Rams to a man were embarrassed by TENN & SF.

Were they really?

I'm suspicious that to many of the Rams players, things will still be going on with "business as usual," I haven't seen much sense of urgency and determination there.

Plus I've seen *zero* urgency and determination from Sean McVay (just his usual 'coachspeak' blathering) and Raheem Morris.

"Outcomes will change only when they're forced to change..." :( :?

ram pathos...

--The Commish

[RamPower]

The Rams to a man were embarrassed by TENN & SF.

Were they really?

I'm suspicious that to many of the Rams players, things will still be going on with "business as usual," I haven't seen much sense of urgency and determination there.

Plus I've seen *zero* urgency and determination from Sean McVay (just his usual 'coachspeak' blathering) and Raheem Morris.

"Outcomes will change only when they're forced to change..." :( :?

ram pathos...

--The Commish

You don't get to that level (NFL) without having a lot of drive and pride. Of course I was more alluding to play embarrassing to the fans, but yeah, the players have to be upset.

Are you paying attention to the League this year? Who's your wonder team? And of course you called AZ before the season started right LOL. Anybody can see what happens after the fact, so what?

[NorCal RF]

Were they really?

I'm suspicious that to many of the Rams players, things will still be going on with "business as usual," I haven't seen much sense of urgency and determination there.

Plus I've seen *zero* urgency and determination from Sean McVay (just his usual 'coachspeak' blathering) and Raheem Morris.

"Outcomes will change only when they're forced to change..." :( :?

ram pathos...

--The Commish

You don't get to that level (NFL) without having a lot of drive and pride. Of course I was more alluding to play embarrassing to the fans, but yeah, the players have to be upset.

Are you paying attention to the League this year? Who's your wonder team? And of course you called AZ before the season started right LOL. Anybody can see what happens after the fact, so what?

They give a serious damn up to a certain point. Most don’t bring it home with them and carry on like fans do. They leave the stadium to go to a damn good life……………

Lots of truth to Varitek and Nixon eating dinner and enjoying themselves in the movie Fever Pitch after going down to the Yankees 3-0 in the ALCS while the Sox fans in that restaurant were still bleeped off hours after the game was over……….

[NorCal RF]

The Rams to a man were embarrassed by TENN & SF.

Were they really?

I'm suspicious that to many of the Rams players, things will still be going on with "business as usual," I haven't seen much sense of urgency and determination there.

Plus I've seen *zero* urgency and determination from Sean McVay (just his usual 'coachspeak' blathering) and Raheem Morris.

"Outcomes will change only when they're forced to change..." :( :?

ram pathos...

--The Commish

commish when are you going to realize that what is portrayed to the media is just a front…………….

[NorCal RF]

They give a serious damn up to a certain point. Most don’t bring it home with them and carry on like fans do. They leave the stadium to go to a damn good life……………

Lots of truth to Varitek and Nixon eating dinner and enjoying themselves in the movie Fever Pitch after going down to the Yankees 3-0 in the ALCS while the Sox fans in that restaurant were still bleeped off hours after the game was over……….

And Damon as well in that crew. Amazing, that that was filmed in real time, and the supposed Sweep that was supposed to take place the next night. The movie would still be made, with the "moral" being that Love and Real Life are WAY more important than rooting for our favorite sports teams, who just got swept by their longtime bitter rivals. The comeback, and ensuing World Series win was edited in afterwards.

I wasn’t sure if he was in that scene or not Mike.

Enjoyable movie. The scene in the park where Fallon states he can’t go(can’t remember where she wants him to go) because of Spring Training my wife still to this day says me with this team lol. She asks Fallon what you are part of team and do they ask your opinion as in Red Sox my wife the first time we saw that movie said thats me with Rams. I think ive grown since then lol……..

[luckenbill56]

Goodness guys you fellas have Goff syndrome as bad as the Dems have with Trump. Goff is out of the picture, but I do not see the Rams going to the Super Bowl with Stafford. The last two games emphasized what many of us stated last season. When your best offensive lineman is forty years old you have a big problem. Regarding Goff? Last season it was Goff's fault. Even with a weak offensive line. Nope it was all Goff. Now those same people are blaming the line for Stafford's problems. I look at things for what they are and were. Goff could be terrible. Could he ever. However, in a four year span what did he do something like 41 and 22? Not counting playoffs. Pretty darn good. I do not care if a QB stands on his head. If he wins games leave him alone. Stafford has not won much and he is playing like he has his entire career. However, can we begin to keep Goff out of the conversation? As I stated early on. Stafford is a stat quarterback. On paper he looks good, but does he win more games than the guy he is replacing? And that is all that matters. Nevertheless, I do agree run the fing ball until you are stopped from being successful. One last thing. Todd Gurley in 2017-18 has not and will not be replaced for some time. He was merely great. A true difference maker. Gurley, those two seasons IS the missing piece. Interestingly enough when Gurley stopped being Gurley the same season the Rams lost forty per cent of an at the time an excellent offensive line. I am sure there is a message in there some place.

[NorCal RF]

I wasn’t sure if he was in that scene or not Mike.

Enjoyable movie. The scene in the park where Fallon states he can’t go(can’t remember where she wants him to go) because of Spring Training my wife still to this day says me with this team lol. She asks Fallon what you are part of team and do they ask your opinion as in Red Sox my wife the first time we saw that movie said thats me with Rams. I think ive grown since then lol……..

We make ourselves part of team Management and Welfare.

Its actually a BIG reason why Women find us so damn attractive....

Not too sure about that Mike lol…………

I got a complete different perspective on the “do they give a bleep” issue when I worked this teams locker room when they played the Raiders in Oakland during the Linehan, Spags, n Fisher years. Bad teams. Teams that still had Long, SJAX, Bruce, Holt, etc on those teams. These players give a big time bleep but know when it’s time to move on to life and or the next game. And I guarantee all of us that this current group does too. Some though continue to confuse talent, and with the current team execution because this team has talent, to a lack of effort and/or giving a bleep. The first thought is real the second one isn’t. Not at this level…………

[Commish]

Goff is out of the picture, but I do not see the Rams going to the Super Bowl with Stafford.

...

Goff could be terrible. Could he ever. However, in a four year span what did he do something like 41 and 22? Not counting playoffs.

Jared Goff was 42-20 over the previous four regular seasons as our team's starting QB, plus 3-3 in playoff competition... 8-) :idea:

ram pathos...

--The Commish

[Commish]

Were they really?

I'm suspicious that to many of the Rams players, things will still be going on with "business as usual," I haven't seen much sense of urgency and determination there.

Plus I've seen *zero* urgency and determination from Sean McVay (just his usual 'coachspeak' blathering) and Raheem Morris.

"Outcomes will change only when they're forced to change..." :( :?

ram pathos...

You don't get to that level (NFL) without having a lot of drive and pride. Of course I was more alluding to play embarrassing to the fans, but yeah, the players have to be upset.

"The Rams to a man were embarrassed," to me that's a reference to the players (all males) as opposed to the fans (mixed gender). In other words, calling people "Rams" means team members, while "Rams supporters" means the team's fans.

As for the Rams players "having a lot of drive and pride," we have seven more regular-season games, plus hopefully playoff competition, for them to prove that you're correct about that.

I'm certainly hoping that they'll demonstate that you are indeed correct about them... ;) :?

ram pathos...

--The Commish

[ocram23]

You don't get to that level (NFL) without having a lot of drive and pride. Of course I was more alluding to play embarrassing to the fans, but yeah, the players have to be upset.

"The Rams to a man were embarrassed," to me that's a reference to the players (all males) as opposed to the fans (mixed gender). In other words, calling people "Rams" means team members, while "Rams supporters" means the team's fans.

As for the Rams players "having a lot of drive and pride," we have seven more regular-season games, plus hopefully playoff competition, for them to prove that you're correct about that.

I'm certainly hoping that they'll demonstate that you are indeed correct about them... ;) :?

ram pathos...

--The Commish

their manhood has been called out let's see how they respond.

[luckenbill56]

Thanks for the correction for Goff's numbers. Appreciate it I was adding in my head. I do not care who the QB is as long as he wins games. Thanks again.

[toast49]

We need Stafford to get to 10-69 vs winning teams this weekend. Cmon Stafford you can do it. That's less than 1 win a season against winning teams in your career but we're not picky, we'll take it. We need to beat the Packers. Zero excuses

[Commish]

commish when are you going to realize that what is portrayed to the media is just a front…………….

When what's portrayed by the sports media about our team consistently doesn't match with the outcomes on the gridiron.

Over their past two contests, the Rams' current portrayal as a largely indifferent, lackadaisical group of players overall, that has been "spot on" in terms of their game results... 8-) :idea:

ram pathos...

--The Commish

[toast49]

Stafford has to have a good game. No more slow starts and turnovers early. He was brought in to win this type of game. Zero excuses.

[Yorkshire Ram]

After 8 games, Stafford was having a genuine MVP calibre season. He's started the last 2 games very skittish for some reason and put us in a hole.

I believe there may have been an injury or injuries lurking around in that 2 game period. He firstly had a week with no practice due to his back, then a minor ankle roll.

With a bye to recover, I expect him to be back on week 1 to 8 form, decisive and effective.

[Commish]

Stafford has to have a good game. No more slow starts and turnovers early. He was brought in to win this type of game. Zero excuses.

My offhand recollection is that overall, Matthew Stafford doesn't perform all that effectively against the Packers... :( :? :|

ram power...

--The Commish

[toast49]

10-69 after today. Cmon Stafford you can do it. 8-)

[toast49]

9-70

[Commish]

My offhand recollection is that overall, Matthew Stafford doesn't perform all that effectively against the Packers... :( :? :|

ram power...

His next contract…either extended by us, or whoever picks him up … depends on it to an extent imo. Can’t have 3 games in a row where you completely poop the bed. PERIOD.

So he better play well…

Or else Kelly Stafford is coming for you, Commish!

You mean she'll toss a pretzel at me?

Her last name is "Stafford," so she has at best a 2% chance of making an accurate throw... :o :P

ram pathos...

--The Commish

[toast49]

9-70. Pathetic

[D-GenerationX]

The guy is a loser.

Not terrible, obviously. Has a lot of talent. But when the bell rings against a good team, he ain't there.

Been that way since college. Won't ever change.