Memento mentioned that she loved Louise Fletcher due to her Oscar acceptance speech, which took me down an Academy Awards rabbit hole of 70's award speeches.. Those who presented the awards were dressed to the nines and the men wore tuxedos. The stage/theater had an elegant gravitas to it and the actors were giants of the industry when movies and movie going, was a huge thing. When Best Movie Awards were announced, it was as much fun hearing the titles of great movies that lost to the winner.

Since I was a 60's and 70's baby. I remember the context of the time. I remembered going to the movie theater was a special event for me. I remember how disappointed I was that I couldn't see The Exorcist, because I was too young. I remember how important certain tv shows were and when one TV meant we were watching what the parents wanted, and I was SOL. I remember how delicious A/C wall units were in SoCal when we finally got one. I remember riding my bike so far away that it would have scared my Mom and Dad, had they known. I climbed trees, played with dangerous toys, enjoyed honest to God, long necked glass bottles of real cane sugar Dr Pepper. I remember women fighting over fake leather purses at the blue light special in KMart, and begging my Mom for a ham and cheese sandwich before leaving the store (loved them). I remember Christine Lund and Jerry Dunphy on the local news. Bowling for Dollars with Chick Hearn and my parents wearing silly costumes in getting on Lets Make a Deal with Monty Hall. I remember the relaxed joy of hearing Vin Scully call a Dodger game on the radio from Chavez Ravine on a hot Saturday afternoon. I remember Cal Worthington and his dog spot. Johnny Carson reigned as no one would again, as the King of Late Night on the Tonight Show.

In the 80's and afterward, I looked down on the 70's. I told myself that I hated Disco, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, and the Dallas Cowboys. I also hated the Yankees cause they beat my Dodgers twice in the late 70's. The popular colors were drab and cheesy. The fad clothing was ridiculous. But watching those old Academy Award Shows from the era, reminded me of what is missing now. The greatest generation was reaching retirement and they would never know (for the most part) the radical changes that were coming technologically. Most things were made in America and foreign stuff was considered cheap junk. Enduring the Great Depression, WW2. Korea made them pretty tough. They certainly were not perfect, but they were solid and their generation ruled the Earth in the 70's. That would begin to fade in the 80's as they retired. I miss my Grandparents and Great Grandparents and their way of life. I don't know why, but it makes me melancholy to see the crowds, formally dressed up to see a game show or a talk show. It was a different time.

Los Angeles Rams​

The Rams took the Lions' best punch on the chin, giving up 24 first-half points and falling behind by 10, but L.A. calmly regained control over the end of the second quarter and into the second half. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and coach Sean McVay zeroed in on Lions cornerback D.J. Reed, targeting him seven times in the first half for four completions and 97 yards. Three of the four completions were deep or intermediate routes that took advantage of Reed's aggressiveness, showing him one break before hitting him with another.


For years under McVay, the Rams were spammers. They identified a few core concepts, finicked with the window dressing and hit them over and over and over again. But this is the most balanced Rams team McVay has ever fielded. Los Angeles has the star receivers (Puka Nacua, Davante Adams) to live in isolation shots against man coverage. It has the offensive line to protect on long-developing play-action concepts streaking across the field. It has a quarterback who can execute both approaches. It has the secondary personnel grouping (multiple-TE sets) that allows it to become more variable in the running game and duplicitous in the passing game. Plus, Nacua's strength as a blocker and Blake Corum's emergence behind Kyren Williams add more layers to the running game. You see how this goes?

Out of this diversity comes precision. The Rams have the tools to hit a defense exactly where it hurts. The first half was "attack D.J. Reed." The Lions benched Reed in the second half, playing him in only multi-cornerback sets or when Amik Robertson got banged up.

But then the second half became "dominate with 13 personnel." Of the Rams' 35 second-half plays, 27 were in 13 personnel (1 RB, 3 TEs, 1 WR); they were running it at a 70% clip even before Adams' fourth-quarter hamstring injury. The Lions were run-blitzing the heavy-TE looks endlessly, trying to get penetration against the Rams' patient running backs, and that opened up the quick play-action throws.

That the Rams have an elite offense is generally unsurprising. The McVay/Stafford/Nacua triumvirate is always going to print quality offense. It's the additional layers this season that take them from typical Rams-y goodness to unprecedented Rams-y goodness. Those layers are in jeopardy now that Adams' injury looks like a multiweek issue that could last into the postseason. But the Rams have been impressively healthy on offense so far and have plenty of resources to lean on in Adams' absence.

The Rams' defense is the bigger surprise and bigger story. Sunday was an investigation into their one great weakness: cornerback play. While Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s career recovery in Los Angeles has been heartwarming, he remains a gettable cover man who does not anticipate well in man coverage, nor challenge the catch point with great physicality. Forbes was targeted nine times Sunday, allowing six receptions for 84 yards. In the Rams' surprising loss to the Panthers two weeks ago, Forbes was the biggest culprit -- 6 targets, 5 receptions, 110 yards, 2 scores allowed.

With standout nickel Quentin Lake still on injured reserve, the cornerbacks are not the caliber of players that discourage targets. They're smaller players who excel clicking and closing from deep zone alignments, so anticipatory quarterbacks who trust their wideouts can shred the space between the zones. Jared Goff was the author of such a game Sunday, but Mac Jones did it twice, too.


When coordinator Chris Shula's zone-heavy defensive philosophy morphs into match coverages in which corners have to play receivers in phase, the challenge of having smaller defensive backs becomes evident. Again, quarterbacks willing to rip throws to larger receivers in tight windows can make hay. In Week 3, the Eagles had success with Jalen Hurts throwing to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, two of the league's elite catch-point players. The Panthers did the same with Bryce Young throwing to Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.

The Rams' standing solution has been to accelerate the quarterback in the pocket. Los Angeles is ninth in pressure rate despite having no defensive linemen who rank in the top 40 in individual pressure rate. Byron Young leads the team with 11 sacks, but his pressure rate is in the George Karlaftis-Travon Walker range. Jared Verse's 9.9% pressure rate leads the team but comes right between Baron Browning and Carl Granderson in the leaguewide rankings. Verse and Young are 25th and 27th in pass rush win rate on the edge, respectively.

But the Rams don't generate pressure the old-fashioned way, through elite pass rushers on the outside. Verse and Young are pocket pushers who collapse potential escape routes for mobile quarterbacks. Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner are among the top 10 among defensive tackles in win rate from interior alignments, and the Rams send heavy doses of second-level blitzes and simulated pressure down the interior gaps. They want to pressure quarterbacks -- especially immobile ones such as Goff -- at their feet to prevent them from climbing the pocket into aggressive throws.

This largely works well, and it is enormously to Shula's credit. The Rams have the cheapest defense in the league by total salary cap spent, but the system is well catered to the roster's strengths. The edges might not be elite sack artists, but their absurd play strength makes run fits easier from light boxes. Free agent star Nate Landman and undrafted free agent gem Omar Speights are two of the league's better starting linebackers; safety Kamren Kinchens is regularly placed in robber positions to take advantage of his playmaking instincts and ball skills. Shula hides his talented but imperfect depth chart from its weakest reps week in and week out.

But defenses like this are beatable. The Rams' defense will give up long, arduous drives to quality running games, and it gets stressed by big receivers. Those drives have the added cost of a running game clock that limits the number of possessions the Rams' offense has. Should Stafford and McVay's group make one mistake -- such as the fumble inside the 5-yard line against the 49ers in Week 6, or the end zone interception against the Panthers -- the game can quickly evaporate.

So who are the threats?

The Lions at full strength are certainly the Rams' biggest opposition. Goff is a great stylistic fit against this defense, the Lions' run defense is league leading, and Detroit has the size along its offensive line to combat the Rams' power. As we saw Sunday, Detroit's injuries have neutralized the threat. Liabilities at cornerback, tight end, left guard and safety made the mountain too tall for the Lions to climb.

The 49ers now seem like the greatest danger. The Rams split the regular-season series with them and should have swept it, were it not for costly end-of-game errors in Week 6. But even after building a 21-0 first-half lead in the Week 10 rematch, the 49ers clawed their way back to a one-possession deficit in the fourth quarter as Jones went 31-of-37 passing. Kyle Shanahan has excelled creating space in the passing game against Shula, and with Brock Purdy under center, it's hard to imagine that tune changing.

However, the Rams can and should dominate the 49ers on the ground. San Francisco's defense is terribly battered, and it's not a particularly big group against the Rams' multiple-TE sets. The 49ers' defense is the liability in the matchup.

That brings us to the Seahawks, who have been an enormous thorn in McVay's side since Mike Macdonald became head coach. In the Rams' 21-19 victory over Seattle in Week 11, Stafford averaged 4.9 yards per pass attempt -- his worst in any start under McVay. Were it not for a few explosive runs and four Sam Darnold interceptions, the relative ineptitude of the Rams' offense against Seattle's defense would have gotten more headlines.

The Rams get a second crack at the issue Thursday night, as they face Seattle in a rematch that could decide the NFC West and home field in the playoffs. For as much as the Rams need offensive solutions to Seattle's defense, the Seahawks need offensive solutions of their own. That game against the Rams broke Darnold, who hasn't looked like the same quarterback since (see Next Ben Stats below).

Unsurprisingly, it's the divisional foes who know the Rams best who present the greatest challenge. But the Rams are still a clear cut above the NFC field, and they will be until proven otherwise (perhaps by the Seahawks in a few evenings). In the AFC, things are far more murky.

Did anyone else think his end zone catch was a TD? I did ! I saw two hands on ball & both knees on ground in End Zone. Not even a reivew !!

I was soooo pulling for him to have the TD. It seems like most passes to him are uncatch-able, yet passes to our other TE seem to be on the money.

Oh well, maybe this week will be his week, even though I think he is just being used to block, (McVays Dog House)

ROLL RAMS !!

offense​

• WR Puka Nacua: 95.0
• TE Colby Parkinson: 88.9
• RG Kevin Dotson: 80.9
• WR Davante Adams: 79.9
• RT Warren McClendon Jr.: 77.3
• RB Kyren Williams: 72.0
• Blake Corum: 68.5
• LT Alaric Jackson: 64.2
• C Coleman Shelton: 63.5
• TE Davis Allen: 59.3
• TE Terrance Ferguson: 53.6
• WR Konata Mumpfield: 52.2

defense​

• OLB Josaiah Stewart: 82.6
• LB Omar Speights: 80.8
• DT Kobie Turner: 78.2
• NT Poona Ford: 76.9
• OLB Jared Verse: 73.1
• Kamren Kinchens: 72.4
• OLB Byron Young: 69.4
• CB Josh Wallace: 58.1
• DL Tyler Davis: 54.9
• CB Cobie Durant: 52.3
• S Jaylen McCollough: 47.3
• CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.: 37.5

Forbes has fallen off a cliff.

I mean, will they disrupt the flow of our 48 actives?

Are they physically up to speed?

Are they better than the guys we have starting in their place?

No disrespect of these old warriors but just looking for some input.

Definitely think we need to get Quinton Lake up to speed for our playoff run however.

December 15, 2025 (Week 15)

8:15 PM ET
Miami Dolphins (6-7) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook

Whats the likelihood of this.

From what I see, I think its VERY possible....if not probable....

Of course I always peak in and make fun of his Raiders, but he told me the Rams were a RAIDERS draft pick away of losing Stafford to the Raiders in June....

I called BS

I am assuming he is out for the rest of the regular season at least.

When Nacua was out they seemed to use Parkinson outside mostly. I don't have confidence in Atwell.

I am not sure Whittington is the answer.

That finger tip catch by TuTu. That play put the Rams in a great 3rd down position.

I think we might consider a bigger role in the offense for TuTu now that Adam's is gonna be out for a few.

First, what a great win vs a gritty Lions team. They were the one I feared the most due to their explosive playmakers and our defensive backs’ proclivity to give up big plays. Shula’s main goal was to shut down Gibbs and that worked to perfection. He and Montgomery only averaged 3.5 yards per carry while Corum and Kyren averaged 5.8. We did let St. Brown run wild but made the adjustments at the half to reel off 20 straight points. Great win but now it’s on to Seattle.

I’ve watched the last two games of their’s and their offense has been non-existent for six of the last eight quarters. The first half against the Falcons they couldn’t move the ball. The same goes for the entire game yesterday vs the Colts. They had to escape with five field goals. Ram fans have to be ecstatic with the victory yesterday. Seahawks fans are breathing a sigh of relief. I remember after the last Seattle game how Dvante and Stafford were pissed, despite the victory, because the offense struggled so much. I know Adams won’t be there Thursday but this Ram team has so many weapons right now that I don’t see them outscoring us. Cover JSN like a blanket and this could get ugly.

That's some messed up stuff...

We may be without him against the Seahags. If our D steps up, you know Darnold will fold. They hardly beat the 44 year old Rivers.

Let's F'kn GO!!!!

This late in the season he'll be out part of next year as well.

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Fellas I have the NFL Ticket on YouTube, will I get the Rams game on Thursday night?

I know its on Prime, just wondering!! Anyone know ?

ROLL RAMS !!

December 14, 2025 (Week 15)

4:25pm ET Detroit Lions (8-5) at Los Angeles Rams (10-3)

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook

Game Day Thread

The GDT is a live thread tradition here at ROD.

While we all get fired up watching the game, please remember our core principles; we always show respect for our team and each other.

Despite the emotional highs and lows watching a game, we will moderate this thread with that in mind, however please refrain from name calling. This applies to players, the Rams organization, and each other.

This is the core rule of the GDT. Moderators are tasked to issue thread bans, at a minimum, to maintain this standard.

This is our team. Win or lose. Good days and bad. We are here for FUN, not to be dragged down.

A more loosely moderated atmosphere can be found in the chat room.

Go Rams!

———

ROD Chat Room;

Game Day Room

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Probably not a big surprise but Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman today. With the curse that trophy seems to have, I'm good with us not even trying to go that route.

December 14, 2025 (Week 15)

EARLY GAMES
Buffalo Bills (9-4) at New England Patriots (11-2)
Baltimore Ravens (6-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
New York Jets (3-10) at Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)
Arizona Cardinals (3-10) at Houston Texans (8-5)
Cleveland Browns (3-10) at Chicago Bears (9-4)
Washington Commodes (3-10) at New York Giants (2-11)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) at Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)

LATE GAMES
Indianapolis Colts (8-5) at Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) at Denver Broncos (11-2)
Tennessee Titans (2-11) at San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
Carolina Panthers (7-6) at New Orleans Saints (3-10)
Detroit Lions (8-5) at Los Angeles Rams (10-3)

SNF
Minnesota Vikings (5-8) at Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook

December 14, 2025 (Week 15)

SNF
Minnesota Vikings (5-8) at Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook

December 14, 2025 (Week 15)

LATE GAMES
Indianapolis Colts (8-5) at Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) at Denver Broncos (11-2)
Tennessee Titans (2-11) at San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
Carolina Panthers (7-6) at New Orleans Saints (3-10)
Detroit Lions (8-5) at Los Angeles Rams (10-3)

SNF
Minnesota Vikings (5-8) at Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

EARLY GAMES
Buffalo Bills (9-4) at New England Patriots (11-2)
Baltimore Ravens (6-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
New York Jets (3-10) at Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)
Arizona Cardinals (3-10) at Houston Texans (8-5)
Cleveland Browns (3-10) at Chicago Bears (9-4)
Washington Commodes (3-10) at New York Giants (2-11)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) at Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook

Everyone of course knows that the rams traded #26 in this year's draft to ATL and as part of that trade the Rams were given ATL's 1st rd pick in next years draft. The Rams may or may not package those 2 first rd picks with perhaps even more picks to move up & take one of the top QBs in next year's draft. Next year's class of QBs is projected to be deep & talented. There is a group of 6 QBs currently rated high in the draft next year. The purpose of this discussion/thread is to discuss who each of thinks is the best option as a future franchise QB for the Rams should they chose to draft one next year in the 1st round. Here are the 6 QBs with links for You Tube video highlights of each QB.
Manning Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMxDPBsVouA

Nussmeier Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tebj5HU_bw

Allar Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QazqInDAUdo

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tebj5HU_bw

Sellers Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5_6j3hgAUI

Iamaleava Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiE1Pw0Nmy8

Klubnik Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC8Rvz4sgY8

The NFL regular season started 99 days ago and since then the Rams have went 10-3 and for the most part they have been outstanding.

It's kind of interesting that what happens over the next 6 days and 8 quarters of football will go almost as far as the first 99 to shape the perception of how good this 2025 team really is. Hyperbole? Maybe a little but not much.

Are we the 1 seed or the wild card?
Does Stafford win the MVP?
Are we the legit superbowl favorites or just over achievers?
A lot of questions will be answered by the end of Thursday night.

Top 50 CFB Quarterbacks
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
3. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
4. Byrum Brown, South Florida
5. Drew Mestemaker, North Texas
6. Dante Moore, Oregon
7. Darian Mensah, Duke
8. Haynes King, Georgia Tech
9. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
10. Joe Fagnano, UConn
11. Jayden Maiava, USC
12. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
13. Kevin Jennings, SMU
14. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
15. Arch Manning, Texas
16. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
17. Anthony Colandrea, UNLV
18. Jake Retzlaff, Tulane
19. Carson Beck, Miami
20. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
21. Ty Simpson, Alabama
22. Bear Bachmeier, BYU
23. Demond Williams Jr., Washington
24. Behren Morton, Texas Tech
25. Noah Fifita, Arizona
26. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee
27. Conner Weigman, Houston
28. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
29. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
30. CJ Bailey, NC State
31. Alonza Barnett III, James Madison
32. Blake Horvath, Navy
33. Brad Jackson, Texas State
34. Devon Dampier, Utah
35. John Mateer, Oklahoma
36. Josh Hoover, TCU
37. Jalon Daniels, Kansas
38. Taylen Green, Arkansas
39. Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers
40. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
41. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
42. Colton Joseph, Ole Dominion
43. Mason Heintschel, Pitt
44. Brendon Lewis, Memphis
45. Chandler Morris, Virginia
46. Thomas Castellanos, Florida State
47. Rocco Becht, Iowa State
48. Jacob Clark, Missouri State
49. Tucker Gleason, Toledo
50. Katin Houser, East Carolina