Rest or Start key players next week?

[bwdenverram]

I'm on the fence because (1) I agree get Puka the record and (2) there is difference in the 6 or 7 seed. I'd much rather go to Detroit than Dallas and that is likely the difference.

 

[So Ram]

I'm on the fence because (1) I agree get Puka the record and (2) there is difference in the 6 or 7 seed. I'd much rather go to Detroit than Dallas and that is likely the difference.

Be careful of what you ask for !

Mcvay was on the fence about what to do.I think the way he is going to go about it though is what is best for The Rams.

Sean Mcvay it Stafford won’t tell you the truth when it comes to certain things.

1. Mattew Stafford had this tape on his throwing hand I hadn’t seen before .He didn’t look 100% either which is why the question came up because of the bad passes.He also wasn’t getting the ball out as fast as normal IMO (which is very subjective )
2. Kupp’s ankle has been an issue & looked like he hurt it.
3.Jordan Fuller - same.

Then again winning & momentum is a thing.

 

[TexasRam]

Like others, I am waffling a bit here.

I also agree, there will be some that blame Mcvay either way.

Mcvay said we will know more Wednesday, so later today we will possibly have a clearer picture of what he decides.

But for me it comes down to this:

1. Dallas will (Most Likely) beat Washington because Dallas DOES NOT want to play on the road. We all know they are terrible on the Road and Damn near unbeatable at home. That 5 seed is likely all road games. The 2 seed could be two home games. If Dallas wins they clinch the 2 seed. But funny thing here, the Washington game is on the road so Dallas could lay an egg.

2. The Lions will play their starters because they have the noon game and wont know the outcome of the Dallas and Philly games since those games are 3PM games. Dan Campbell already mentioned their plan is to play their Starters. If Philly and Dallas lose that would mean a Lions win gives them the 2 seed. Pay attention to this Lions game. If the Lions lose any key starters in this game, Mcvay may have even more incentive to beat the Niners and keep the 6 seed who would play the Lions at the 3 seed.

3. The Rams matchup at Detroit is much more favorable then at Dallas. The Lions are heavily reliant on running the ball. The Rams are real good at stopping the run. Dallas however, struggles running so could be throwing the ball all day against our greatest weakness, our pass defense. Further, the Lions pass rush is no where near as dominant as the Dallas pass rush can be.

There is risk with either approach. Sit your key starters and Likely lose to Dallas. Play your starters and risk injury

The Niners don't want injuries either though, so I don't expect a hard hitting game from them. I also don't expect Bosa or Warner to play. Anything can happen but you can also call a crisp game plan that minimizes the chance for injury. Quick hitting pass plays to the sideline, Rotating Donald out of run downs etc. Pay attention to the Lions game and also get Live updates from the Dallas and Philly games. Be prepared to shift gears at halftime if needed. If Philly is winning big and Dallas is losing big or has key injury, you can adjust your approach.

 

[RamUK]

Play everyone then and hope we draw Detroit, IMO, subject to key starts that might already be nursing injuries (Kupp?).

I am not so sure the Lions are any easier to beat than a reeling Philly squad or a flawed Cowboys team. But:

(1) I think the Rams matchup best against the Lions, just in terms of roster construction;

(2) HOW GOOD WOULD THE STORY LINE BE?! Goff vs. McVay that dumped him. Stafford finally playing playoff football in Detroit... but not for the Lions. Endless stories to run with.

(3) If we have to lose, it hurts a lot less seeing Goff, Reynolds, and co. move on at the Rams expense, and seeing long suffering Lions fans taste some success, rather than losing to the stinking Cowboys or arrogant Nick Siriani.

I also think getting to 10 wins is a milestone that would do this team good.

But be prepared to pull starters out if the game gets out of hand.

Nailed it!

 

[Londoner]

Endless stories to run with.

That's two. Three if you include Josh Reynolds.

 

[OnceARam]

The problem with resting players and taking your foot off of the gas is this team was rolling (warts and all) until it had about a week and a half bye. That game last week was terrible in all phases. This is not a veteran team. The Rams are about youth and momentum right now.

The problem with playing everybody is the Rams don’t want to show the 9ers TOO MUCH. Should THAT be a consideration? There will probably be a rematch should the Rams win in the first round of the playoffs. This Rams team has multiple new and key players that weren’t a factor in week 2.

This a good argument for why you rest people, because McVay is going to play vanilla regardless.

 

[OnceARam]

This argument that we match up best against Detroit is not true. Our defense is worst in the league against play action, which is Detroits bread and butter. We would be better off playing Philly before they pull their head out.

 

[CGI_Ram]

This argument that we match up best against Detroit is not true. Our defense is worst in the league against play action, which is Detroits bread and butter. We would be better off playing Philly before they pull their head out.

That’s the way I see it, too.

 

[Allen2McVay]

This argument that we match up best against Detroit is not true. Our defense is worst in the league against play action, which is Detroits bread and butter. We would be better off playing Philly before they pull their head out.

Unfortunately, the Eagles seem like the Rams least likely Wild Card opponent. If Dallas beats Washington, they win the Division; and the Rams will play either the East or North division winner.

 

[Fatboy]

I say if you're healthy you play. It's a small miracle we're in the playoffs anyway, let it continue ! --- the Fatboy

 

[den-the-coach]

I say if you're healthy you play. It's a small miracle we're in the playoffs anyway, let it continue ! --- the Fatboy

Disagree, it is not a bad thing to give players rest as I believe the rest is a benefit more then it is not.

 

[Rams8821]

I say if you're healthy you play. It's a small miracle we're in the playoffs anyway, let it continue ! --- the Fatboy

I wouldn't say its a miracle at all. Id say the pundits had no clue what they were talking about.

 

[snackdaddy]

This argument that we match up best against Detroit is not true. Our defense is worst in the league against play action, which is Detroits bread and butter. We would be better off playing Philly before they pull their head out.

Philly would be my first choice but I don't see it happening. All Dallas has to do is beat a bad Washington team to clinch the east. I see it coming down to Detroit or Dallas.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I’m sure he does want it. But does he want it bad enough to toss a key piece out there in a meaningless game?

I could see him giving Puka snaps if

1. Puka asked for it - told him it was important to him. McVay might ok it then

2. There is some contract incentive in llay

That’s about it. Otherwise this is an easy decision

That record is a big deal. I’m sure all of his teammates want him to get it. He needs 4 receptions and 29 yards iirc for both records.

Like others, I am waffling a bit here.

I also agree, there will be some that blame Mcvay either way.

Mcvay said we will know more Wednesday, so later today we will possibly have a clearer picture of what he decides.

But for me it comes down to this:

1. Dallas will (Most Likely) beat Washington because Dallas DOES NOT want to play on the road. We all know they are terrible on the Road and Damn near unbeatable at home. That 5 seed is likely all road games. The 2 seed could be two home games. If Dallas wins they clinch the 2 seed. But funny thing here, the Washington game is on the road so Dallas could lay an egg.

2. The Lions will play their starters because they have the noon game and wont know the outcome of the Dallas and Philly games since those games are 3PM games. Dan Campbell already mentioned their plan is to play their Starters. If Philly and Dallas lose that would mean a Lions win gives them the 2 seed. Pay attention to this Lions game. If the Lions lose any key starters in this game, Mcvay may have even more incentive to beat the Niners and keep the 6 seed who would play the Lions at the 3 seed.

3. The Rams matchup at Detroit is much more favorable then at Dallas. The Lions are heavily reliant on running the ball. The Rams are real good at stopping the run. Dallas however, struggles running so could be throwing the ball all day against our greatest weakness, our pass defense. Further, the Lions pass rush is no where near as dominant as the Dallas pass rush can be.

There is risk with either approach. Sit your key starters and Likely lose to Dallas. Play your starters and risk injury

The Niners don't want injuries either though, so I don't expect a hard hitting game from them. I also don't expect Bosa or Warner to play. Anything can happen but you can also call a crisp game plan that minimizes the chance for injury. Quick hitting pass plays to the sideline, Rotating Donald out of run downs etc. Pay attention to the Lions game and also get Live updates from the Dallas and Philly games. Be prepared to shift gears at halftime if needed. If Philly is winning big and Dallas is losing big or has key injury, you can adjust your approach.

Deebo is not an official source but he’s saying the Niners will play starters in the first half.

Aside from Kupp, I think the Rams should do the same thing.

 

[Loyal]

If you mean rest ALL the starters, they can't. Just not enough players but I get the thought.

However, some on the Board have a bad memory from 2017, remembering when the Rams rested a ton of starters, and then looked flat to open their home playoff game against Atlanta.

Not only that, but the glee with which the Niners beat our backups left a bad taste in my mouth that persists. Destroying the Niners is my number one priority and winning another Super Bowl comes second....

 

[Loyal]

This argument that we match up best against Detroit is not true. Our defense is worst in the league against play action, which is Detroits bread and butter. We would be better off playing Philly before they pull their head out.

But... I'd rather have our team play in a dome than in that cold assed, possibly snowy/icy Franklin field in January. I think McVay knows what makes Goff tick and how to throw him off. I'm more concerned with Dallas based on the game we played earlier in the year. I am sure the Rams can beat either of these teams but I think we have an edge and a better story line in Detroit.

 

[12intheBox]

That record is a big deal. I’m sure all of his teammates want him to get it. He needs 4 receptions and 29 yards iirc for both records.

Deebo is not an official source but he’s saying the Niners will play starters in the first half.

Aside from Kupp, I think the Rams should do the same thing.

Is it a big deal? I guess there is a certain amount of pride that comes with seeing a Ram hold an individual record - I get that. And as I have said - if it’s important to him - then I’d be apt to let him go get it.

But if I were the coach, he would be inactive. Of course, if I were the coach, we wouldn’t be in a playoff position we would be the laughing stock of the league.

Just to see where we all are on this league …. Sake of argument ….

Let’s say the 9ers come out double teaming Puka - they are playing with the specific intention of shutting him down. Everyone else is getting single coverage with no help but Puka is smothered. Are you still forcing the ball his way to get the record or are you taking the better looks and trying to win the game?

 

[WestCoastRam]

We play an extra game this year. Including that into everything... I say rest who you can right now.

And look at what this team was able to accomplish coming off a bye this year.

Taking it all into account, I think you make goals for starters in this game and try to accomplish them so you don't come out flat in the wild card round. Those goals prob aren't winning the game. It might be to get something on tape. Etc...

I think getting a quarter to a half of play from starters might help accomplish that.

 

[badnews]

I think the atmosphere in this road game will help prepare our many 1st and 2nd year players for they will face going forward.

Play 'em all.

 

[12intheBox]

I think the atmosphere in this road game will help prepare our many 1st and 2nd year players for they will face going forward.

Play 'em all.

I think the atmosphere is going to be more like a preseason game.

But hey, maybe the 9ers really do suit up their starters (sans CMC).