Big win over Vikings.....

[MichiganRam]

A few thoughts on today:

Rams entered today as a 3 point favorite on the road. As we all know, the team has dealt with a lot of Covid issues the past couple weeks. They played today with a mixed up offensive line. It was a road game with a 10am PT start. They had 3 turnovers. And yet, they still won the game. In fact, they led for 42 minutes and 47 seconds of the game. The only time they didn't lead it was 0-0. That's the sign of a good team.

Stafford - clearly not his best game. You cannot turn the ball over that much. As someone who lives in the metro Detroit area, I've seen for many years who Stafford is. He's going to have games like this every now and then. But he's on a much better team now than he's ever been on in this league. So many of the stats they like to show about Stafford are irrelevant now because he's no longer on the Lions. I'd rather he have this game now than next month. And despite his struggles today, he did make some plays down the stretch when the team needed him.

McVay - I liked what I saw early, then wondered why they went away from the run. But it was nice to see him get back to running the ball down the stretch. Michel was a beast today. Hopefully Henderson's injury isn't serious.

Special Teams - solid except for 2 plays (botched squib kick and miscommunication on punt fair catch). Punt return TD the biggest play of the game.

Defense - solid and continually improving. Trending in the right direction.

As a fan, I thought today's game was interesting to watch. Part of me felt relaxed as the team was ahead, and never felt like Minnesota was a serious threat. But it was a little frustrating as I felt the lead should have been bigger at times. Another road game looms next week. But here we are, currently sitting in the 3 seed spot (this Sunday night game is over). The NFC West division could be clinched next weekend. Who would have thought that a few weeks ago? My overall point.....this team isn't perfect, but is showing signs that it IS a really good team that could make a serious run. Let's enjoy it.

[UK Rams Fan]

I'd like to think that it was some of the key losses to personnel on the OL that contributed to Stafford's under par play yesterday and that he should return to normal once they're back.

We certainly need all of the team healthy and playing error-free football going into the PO's and in particular in the NFC champs game @ GB (if both get there).

Get all our COVID cases out the way now, a fresh Akers ready to rumble and we should be good.

[Cornell29]

Stafford needs a full week of practices.

He didn't practice before the Titans game, due to his back and that was horrible.

Over the last two weeks Stafford only had 2 full practices and his game against Seattle was slow and against the Vikes horrible

I don't know if it is bc its a timing offense or whatever, but wow Stafford doesn't play well when his practices are limited.

[Cornell29]

[Cornell29]

Holy Toledo... look at that tummy. AJ needs to lay off the burgers and beer.

Does this angle help?

[UtahRam]

The O-Line had nothing to do with Stafford's struggles. They played really well with all of the issues.

[sanbagger]

Nice post Michigan...well thought out and articulated....enjoyed the read

Still too many issues with special teams for me to grade them solid...even with the TD

McV should have stayed with the run...going back to the pass in the redzone for 3 inc's was mind boggling

[Rampager66]

Holy Toledo... look at that tummy. AJ needs to lay off the burgers and beer.

Does this angle help?

Where's JR5... looks like 68 coulda ate him

[MichiganRam]

The O-Line had nothing to do with Stafford's struggles. They played really well with all of the issues.

The Vikings seemed to do a solid job of downfield coverage, and coverage of our WR's in general, forcing Stafford to look back underneath. And too many times those passes were tipped, causing trouble or near trouble.

I agree......the o-line played well considering the changes required.

[Claremontram]

Michigan:

Agree with your assessment. We were the better team all game long. The 3 interceptions frustrated me and kept the score close all game.

Oline remarkably stood up on Sunday. Hope they continue this trend. Defense is operating on all 8 cylinders now.

[CierraRam]

Stafford needs a full week of practices.

He didn't practice before the Titans game, due to his back and that was horrible.

Over the last two weeks Stafford only had 2 full practices and his game against Seattle was slow and against the Vikes horrible

I don't know if it is bc its a timing offense or whatever, but wow Stafford doesn't play well when his practices are limited.

That and I think the makeshift OL was in his head too, warranted or not (because they played well enough). I just think it was. I think that fact rushed his mental clock.

[UtahRam]

The O-Line had nothing to do with Stafford's struggles. They played really well with all of the issues.

Hey Utah, I have to say that your avatar image is by far the greatest in the forum. You're a smoke show... even w the St Louis colors... ;)

You're right; I'm a smoke show but I don't look like anything in my avatar.

[Utah Rams Fan]

Nice post Michigan...well thought out and articulated....enjoyed the read

Still too many issues with special teams for me to grade them solid...even with the TD

McV should have stayed with the run...going back to the pass in the redzone for 3 inc's was mind boggling

I wasn’t mind boggled one bit when McVay got away from the solid run game. Not one bit. We have seen this behavior since he got here and it’s not going to stop. The man does not believe you need to run the ball to win football games. He even did it in the Super Bowl.

[UtahRam]

Nice post Michigan...well thought out and articulated....enjoyed the read

Still too many issues with special teams for me to grade them solid...even with the TD

McV should have stayed with the run...going back to the pass in the redzone for 3 inc's was mind boggling

I wasn’t mind boggled one bit when McVay got away from the solid run game. Not one bit. We have seen this behavior since he got here and it’s not going to stop. The man does not believe you need to run the ball to win football games. He even did it in the Super Bowl.

Change your name and get a new avatar, Corky!