20 Random Game 1 Win Thoughts

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AvengerRam

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1. Great way to start the year!

2. Matthew Stafford was great. He was calm, decisive and made the right throws. And when there were opportunities for big plays, he didn't miss. Every bit as good as advertised.

3. Amazing to think that Stafford will likely get even more comfortable in this offense, and McVay will probably dig deeper and deeper into his playbook.

4. The threat of big plays has returned, and that's HUGE.

5. Overall, I'd give the offensive line a solid B grade. Stafford consistently had time to throw, and the running game - nonexistent early - showed up when we needed to kill the clock in the fourth quarter.

6. Brian Allen had two noticeable bad plays - a sack allowed and a holding penalty - but he did okay for his first live action since 2019.

7. Cooper Kupp was outstanding.

8. Tyler Higbee will be a favorite target all year.

9. The defense was frustrating at times, as it allowed the Bears to move the ball on the ground and with the short passing game. It showed up, however, at key points with an INT in the end zone and several fourth down stops.

10. Its fun to watch Jalen Ramsey playing like a strong safety against the run.

11. Justin Hollins had a nice game with two sacks and a forced fumble.

12. The combination of David Long and Robert Rochelle held up well at the nickel CB spot.

13. So, the NFC West is going to be tough this year...

14. The Seahawks handled a Colts team that might not be as good as I thought.

15. The Cardinals rout of Tennessee on the road was the biggest surprise of the day.

16. The 49ers blew out the Lions, as expected... for three quarters, before allowing the game to get close and surviving a scare in the end.

17. SoFi looked and sounded great with fans. Seems like its a pretty loud stadium.

18. Chris Collinsworth is insufferable. I can't believe anyone enjoys listening to his pointless ramblings.

19. Pretty low stress game watching experience tonight. I don't mind that one bit.

20. Great to have REAL football back!
 
Dalton didn't connect one pass over ten yards. 0-2 and an INT passes over ten yds. Thats good D.
That's only because we played 10 yards off the line of scrimmage.

However, with that in mind, go ahead dink and dunk on us. When you get close to our side of the field that's when we will sack you.
 
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If this team shows the capability of running it when they want, especially inside the redzone, they will be a 13 or 14 win team... Assuming the D plays a bit better than they showed tonight.

Certainly can see Stafford's calm and experience along with his arm, being the upgrade they desired. Just can't count on him carrying them all the time. Just welcomes more opportunities for injury and getting him beat up if teams don't fear the run game....which is why he failed in Detroit. Any QB needs that balance... Even Mahomes
 
I think Chicago sucks and this game tells us little until we play in division.

I was not happy with run D, no 5 man D fronts, no blitzing etc. Felt predictable.

Not paying much mind a first game where starters didn't play any in preseason. Better test next week on the road.
 
Dalton didn't connect one pass over ten yards. 0-2 and an INT passes over ten yds. Thats good D.
Good point Bubba. Our safeties definitely smothered the intermediate and deep shit.

Makes me wonder how much longer Jones is going to need to come online in this offense. Have to think him running around in the middle of that would be an upgrade.
 
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It sounds like I'm in the minority around here but I love Collinsworth announcing games and the enthusiasm he brings to a broadcast. I think Mike from American Pickers could pass as his twin.
americanpickers_2016_mike.jpg
 
What I noticed was the speed that Stafford processed and executed. The ball just came out at a different speed than we saw in the past. It was wonderful to watch.

Stafford helming this offense reminded me of the Warner led GSOT teams.

1) I instantly feel confident that we're a danger to score from anywhere
2) I worry that we score too quickly
3) That ability to score deep is gonna open up a TON of stuff in the middle as well as the interior run game
4) A couple of quick scores early really seems to break the spirit of defenders (good to see nothing's changed since 1999 in that regard)
5) We legit have a bounty of riches at receiver... Kupp, Woods, Jefferson, Jackson, Higbee, Mundt, Harris, Atwell... it's just crazy.
6) I used to be so nervous the last two years when Goff ran the offense even as I rooted for him and supported him. It took less than 1 quarter for me to find that nervousness ebbing. It didn't feel like "are we gonna score", but "how fast are we gonna score"
7) This offense scored 34 points and it legit felt like they left at least 14 points on the field. This offense feels like a more efficient and potent offense than what we had in 2018.
 
6. Brian Allen had two noticeable bad plays - a sack allowed and a holding penalty - but he did okay for his first live action since 2019.

Both Edwards and Corbett gave up pressure. Edwards was really clear when he missed the handoff from Allen. Allen is clearly an upgrade over Blythe as he can block one on one while Blythe couldn't. Don't discount the talent in the Bears front 7. These guys are good.

It's the next 4 games that will expose any weaknesses. Morris was using Staley's pass-first defensive philosophy which IMO was pretty much McVay's desire. I watched the Charger game and his defense played more aggressively than Morris' version, which was clear tonight as well. You need to understand that Morris was being brutally honest when he said he didn't give a damn about stats, he only cared about results. That philosophy was on full display tonight. He knew the Bears couldn't keep up in a shootout so he allowed the Bears to eat up the clock for the Rams. That philosophy was on full display in the 4th qtr.

So given that I need to say as long as the D plays well enough to win, yeah who cares about the cosmetics of it all. I could care less if the Ram D finishes outside the top 10 in the rankings as long as they play well enough when it matters to win a Lombardi.
 
Nice to own a mediocre team but we really didn't learn too much. Need to see how we play against top teams.

We learned some ...
We also get to look at the Seattle/Indy game film which hopefully finds us another edge for next week. Today's game is just a tune-up for our next big one against the Colts. Our next 4 games offer plenty of challenges, two of the 4 are against divisional teams and another is against the 2020 Super Bowl winners, so expect to learn a bunch more about our team pretty soon. jmo.
 
Indy has a back that can take one of those seams we saw tonight to the house. That is going to be a dangerous game for our defense and a good test. Reich is a balanced play caller too.

Seattle beat them up pretty good but they are still a high quality team IMO.