Thoughts entering Q2 of our season

[GoodBadUgly]

• I never thought we’d be 2-3 after this brutal starting schedule.
• Even stranger that with sane play calling, sound officiating and a little opposite luck with tipped passes, we would be 4-1
• I’m surprised McVay abandons the run at times when he knows and acknowledges it’s been such a factor in their wins
• I knew we’d have a young D, but the fact they show a lot of promise doesn’t make up for them being the worst tackling team I can remember
• It is crystal clear that the OL is the the hands down key to this team. SB win season we had the least injuries in the league, last season had the most and it showed. Watching the Eagles dominate with OL makes me beg for us to dedicate more resources to this unit next draft (Avila is a great start)
• I miss the days when Martz would surprise everyone with a run-heavy game plan that let Faulk make the opponent pay for game planning against the pass happy GSoT. We need the ability to go 12 or 13 once in awhile and pound the ball. Not sure McVay can be patient enough for more than one punt, though
• I am more than pumped for Evans, who has made me almost forget about Hekker.
• I am less than pumped for our FG unit. We’ll be playing close games all season and I feel like it will cost us a few games and even a wildcard berth
• I’ve had season tickets every year the Rams have been in LA since 1988. I curse the evil stripper that threw our home field advantage in the garbage. It will be at least a decade before we can host any of these teams that travel well, without it making me tear up.
• I really want to see what we’re capable of with a few weeks of dedicated practice with Kupp. If we hit our stride while sneaking into the playoffs, this will end up being a great season.

 

[rdlkgliders]

We are right about where I thought we could be but getting there has left me more optimistic than anticipated.

 

[Ramstien]

As much as losing sucks, the Rams are a better team than most of us thought they would be after the first 5 games. If this team can stay healthy and learn from their mistakes; (I'm talking about the coaches) we could see them make the playoffs. Who would have ever even thought there would be a chance of that when the season started.

 

[Angry Ram]

I can't wait. Gonna win some games, gonna lose some too. Enjoy the ride!!

 

[Tano]

I curse the evil stripper that threw our home field advantage in the garbage.

 

[Rams8821]

This is a playoff team.....

 

[FaulkSF]

Robert Thomas on tackling: Hold my beer

 

[snackdaddy]

There are plenty of things to be optimistic about. We know how good Kupp is. Puka adds another weapon. As does Tutu. Williams and Rivers are tough runners. On defense Young is getting better and showing potential to be a solid pass rusher. Like Kupp, we know how good Aaron Donald it. Witherspoon has been a pleasant surprise at corner.

But there are things that not so optimistic. Like how the defense gave up final play TD's before the half twice this season. Those TD's Changed the complexion of the game. The way our offense was shut down in the second half of the last two games. Mainly because the defenses amped up the pressure and they had trouble adjusting to it.

Overall they do look better than expected. Will they keep playing tougher than expected? Or will they start to fade like last year after going 3-3 through six games?

 

[Jacobarch]

There are plenty of things to be optimistic about. We know how good Kupp is. Puka adds another weapon. As does Tutu. Williams and Rivers are tough runners. On defense Young is getting better and showing potential to be a solid pass rusher. Like Kupp, we know how good Aaron Donald it. Witherspoon has been a pleasant surprise at corner.

But there are things that not so optimistic. Like how the defense gave up final play TD's before the half twice this season. Those TD's Changed the complexion of the game. The way our offense was shut down in the second half of the last two games. Mainly because the defenses amped up the pressure and they had trouble adjusting to it.

Overall they do look better than expected. Will they keep playing tougher than expected? Or will they start to fade like last year after going 3-3 through six games?

I think you bring up some great points.

I think if the Rams are going to even have a chance of making the playoffs they have to fix their second half blunders. Maybe the playbook is limited because of how young the Rams are? I dunno. But McVay and co need to figure that out. I can't think of any other reason why they're having such a hard time in the second half. That used to be McVay's bread n butter.

 

[Classic Rams]

Going through the rest of the schedule Rams could easily be 10-7 or 11-6.

 

[dang]

Going through the rest of the schedule Rams could easily be 10-7 or 11-6.

I agree they could be 10-7 but nothing will be easy.

 

[Ramhusker]

There are plenty of things to be optimistic about. We know how good Kupp is. Puka adds another weapon. As does Tutu. Williams and Rivers are tough runners. On defense Young is getting better and showing potential to be a solid pass rusher. Like Kupp, we know how good Aaron Donald it. Witherspoon has been a pleasant surprise at corner.

But there are things that not so optimistic. Like how the defense gave up final play TD's before the half twice this season. Those TD's Changed the complexion of the game. The way our offense was shut down in the second half of the last two games. Mainly because the defenses amped up the pressure and they had trouble adjusting to it.

Overall they do look better than expected. Will they keep playing tougher than expected? Or will they start to fade like last year after going 3-3 through six games?

Injuries did that last year. Hope they don't do the same this season. We are due for a break on that front.

 

[FrantikRam]

The next two won't be easy, but we should win them. The Steelers game will be very interesting - who the hell knows what that team is right now. They beat Baltimore, but so did Indy.

Looking forward to these next two - not to put too much into them, but if we don't win both, we aren't making the playoffs.

If we can get to 4-3 that would be huge before @Dallas and @Green Bay - two teams that have owned us in recent years. After watching what the Niners did to them, and the Cardinals - hard to think we can't compete and win that game. Green Bay doesn't look particularly great either.

If we can be 5-4 we will be in great shape heading into some very winnable games.

 

[Mojo Ram]

We’re 2-3 should be 3-2 thru a tough first 5 gms. Rams shit the bed vs Cincy.

It’s time to string together a few wins in the next five. The NFC stinks as I said in pre season. We’ll be good if we stay healthy.

 

[Gandalf]

We have lost 3 games so far and all to teams in the conference finals last year.
It's been a rough schedule so far, but we have hung tight in all 3 games.
Our upcoming schedule looks a little bit better.

 

[Londoner]

We have lost 3 games so far and all to teams in the conference finals last year.

Despite some questionable play calling, dodgy decisions and going AWOL in the second half of most games.

We’re this close (pinches fingers very close together) to being a playoff team.

 

[Steve808]

As much as losing sucks, the Rams are a better team than most of us thought they would be after the first 5 games. If this team can stay healthy and learn from their mistakes; (I'm talking about the coaches) we could see them make the playoffs. Who would have ever even thought there would be a chance of that when the season started.

Our three losses this season were against teams that appeared in conference championship games last year and we were in each game.

A couple of good breaks and we could be 3-2 or 4-1. Our schedule gets a little better from here on out.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

• I never thought we’d be 2-3 after this brutal starting schedule.
• Even stranger that with sane play calling, sound officiating and a little opposite luck with tipped passes, we would be 4-1
• I’m surprised McVay abandons the run at times when he knows and acknowledges it’s been such a factor in their wins
• I knew we’d have a young D, but the fact they show a lot of promise doesn’t make up for them being the worst tackling team I can remember
• It is crystal clear that the OL is the the hands down key to this team. SB win season we had the least injuries in the league, last season had the most and it showed. Watching the Eagles dominate with OL makes me beg for us to dedicate more resources to this unit next draft (Avila is a great start)
• I miss the days when Martz would surprise everyone with a run-heavy game plan that let Faulk make the opponent pay for game planning against the pass happy GSoT. We need the ability to go 12 or 13 once in awhile and pound the ball. Not sure McVay can be patient enough for more than one punt, though
• I am more than pumped for Evans, who has made me almost forget about Hekker.
• I am less than pumped for our FG unit. We’ll be playing close games all season and I feel like it will cost us a few games and even a wildcard berth
• I’ve had season tickets every year the Rams have been in LA since 1988. I curse the evil stripper that threw our home field advantage in the garbage. It will be at least a decade before we can host any of these teams that travel well, without it making me tear up.
• I really want to see what we’re capable of with a few weeks of dedicated practice with Kupp. If we hit our stride while sneaking into the playoffs, this will end up being a great season.

Yes. I’d love more dedication to the Oline. Resign Dotson and they are set at Guard. Big Rob’s getting older and speed rushers will seem faster every year. OLT is a small concern and Center could use an upgrade. Shelton played poorly against the Eagles big physical front.

So, next on the menu imo is center. We should have already had the best one in the business. A lot depends on how the draft board falls.

Tackling isn’t great. Remember that they struggled to tackle a guy who can be very hard for any team to tackle.

McVay calling too many passing plays may not be the problem. They way I have understood it is that every play is a run or pass and Stafford looks at the defense and makes the final call. McVay doesn’t throw him under the bus at press conferences. When McVay takes the blame, I think he’s taking the blame for the play call in general, not the run or pass selection.

I think pass rush has to be the biggest concern right now and come draft day. A better pass rush and this team could be undefeated right now. They may be looking at interior and edge rusher both.

 

[Ramstien]

I think the strength of this OL is pass blocking and the strength of this offense is putting the ball in the air so I think 3/4 of the play calls will be passes. This in my opinion, will be the key to this offense's success.

 

[AvengerRam]

Get through brutal early season schedule with a couple of wins: check

Young players emerging/improving: check

Manage to stay relatively healthy: check

I’ll take it!