DOWNTOWN RAMS PODCAST

Ep.557: Who WILL the Rams HOST in the Wild Card?

Jake and Alexis preview the Rams and Cardinals matchup and discuss their win over the Jets Use the code "JKBOGEN" to play $5 and get $50 instantly. https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/JKBOGEN Be sure to follow @DowntownRams, Alexis Kraft - @TheAlexisKraft and Jake Ellenbogen - @JKBOGEN on Twitter Check out Alexis Kraft's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpO4UFq8EQlrPr3NH6Ai7DQ

Duration:: 1h 4m
Broadcast on:: 31 Dec 2024
Audio Format:: other

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We get the win, and then in more exciting news, well a win is exciting, but even bigger news I should say, the Rams have clinched a spot in the playoffs and won the NFC West with the commanders win last night over the Falcons, Jake, so much going on here. We win Saturday night, we clench the divisions Sunday night, I mean it's been an exciting 24-hours for Rams fans, how are you feeling? I'm feeling good, I mean it's hard not to. This is a team that started 1-4, and then of course they end up at 10-6, and they have a chance to get to 11-6, and well you and I both had them winning the Super Bowl before the season started. There were some unforeseen things that propped up, I mean, Puke and Akua getting hurt again, and Cooper Cup getting hurt, and the offense aligned getting decimated, and not having your secondary really to start the season. So yeah, I mean I think what they were able to do coming back from 1-4, they go in the by below 500 back-to-back seasons, they come out in the playoffs, that's never happened before in the history of the NFL in back-to-back seasons, so really impressive by the Rams. You're showing by Sean McVay, impressive job by Les Knead, building this roster. I just think a lot of people gloss over the fact that this team rebuilt on the fly, that is not easy to do, there are teams that are rebuilding every year, just look at the New York Jets, just look at the Browns, just look at the Titans and the Jaguars, I mean, these teams are going to actually have to sit there and maybe have a full rebuilding type of season upcoming, but the Rams just did it on the fly, and at some point or another, they'll need to find their quarterback in the future, but as of right now, they have a lot to feel good about, except for that offense right now, it's a little lackluster, but the defense the way they've been playing, what can you say, I mean, right now, you know, I think, I mean, we all kind of knew the Cardinals would fall off, they did this in 2021 as well, when they got off to a great start, they were dominant that year, and then right around the end of the season, you know, Cliff Kingsbury was the head coach, but they did not take the Cliff Kingsbury out of this team because they fell off the face of the earth down the stretch, and it's a good thing they did, the 49ers were banged up with injuries, although they just weren't a good football team this year, healthy or not, and Seattle has been a fraud, and they really have, the Rams have kind of been one of those teams that you could call mid, and they're not winning, you know, maybe the best ways, but all you got to do is get into the dance, they have a lot of talent, they have championship pedigree, they got coaching staff that, you know, has been there done that, and they have the best quarterback in the NFC, Matthew Stafford, and I just think there are a lot of the pieces there, you just have to get into the damn thing, once you get in there, you get a home field advantage in the first round, Alexis, we'll get into who they can maybe face, but you got to feel good about where they're at. Yeah, well, that's what I wanted to talk about next, because I think that's the kind of the biggest thing, you know, in everyone's mind, is just getting the playoffs, right? Then you get there, and then of course your mind goes, all right, who could we play? Who do you want to play? That's the most likely scenario, and obviously right now, as it looks, it's probably going to be the packers of the commanders, but there's a chance we could play, you know, the lines of the Vikings, depending on how that game goes, so there really is so many options right now, Jake. My personal opinion is that we probably end up playing the packers of the commanders. That's what it seems to be the most likely scenario. What are your thoughts on this, because, you know, a lot of the discourse amongst the fandom right now, of course, is everybody saying who they'd rather play? Well, I'd rather play the commanders because of XYZ, or I'd rather play the Vikings because of XYZ. Is there any validity to the statement that we probably will end up playing the commanders of the packers, and do you have an opinion on this, or are you kind of like whoever we play? I think the Rams got it. So, you share it, kind of your thoughts, and then I'll give mine. Yeah, so I actually think the least likely chance of them playing a team is the packers, and here's why. The packers quite literally need the commanders to lose, and they'll beat the bears, they will, but the commanders would have to lose to the cowboys. And I just don't see that, because the commanders have something to play for, and let's be honest here, you don't want to get that seven seed. The NFL playoffs are better with FanDuel, because right now, new customers can bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets, guaranteed, that's $200 in bonus bets, win or lose. FanDuel, an official sports book partner of the NFL, 21+ and president select states. First online, real money wager only, $5 first deposit required, bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets which expire seven days after receipt, restrictions apply, see terms at sportsbook.fanDuel.com, gambling problem, call 1-800-Gambler. At Arizona State University, we're bringing world-class education from our globally acclaimed faculty to you. Ranked number one in innovation for 10 consecutive years, and number two among public universities for employability, ASU isn't just ahead of the curve, it's creating new paths to success. Earn your degree from the nation's most innovative university. Online, that's a degree better. More than 300 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs at asuonline.asu.edu. They can't afford to sit starters, because if they do, you get that seven seed and you're playing, you're going to Philly. You're going to open air Philly, guess what? The Rams aren't in open air stadium, they are, but they're not. They're not in the elements, it's a canopy. You definitely feel it, but it's not like it's going to affect the game type of deal. Word field, not going to affect the game, US bank, not going to affect the game. When you have all of these places that you could go in the playoffs, the one place you don't want to go is Lincoln Financial, because that Eagles Stadium is going to be rowdy. That's not an easy place to play, and I could tell you, just being in upstate New York, I'm close enough to Philadelphia, not close. Close enough to Philadelphia, no, in late January, that is not going to be a warm spot. That's going to be very cold, so you're kind of playing for that, and that's why Alexis, I think Washington's going to give it their all. I don't think they sit their starters. I think they win week 18 against Dallas, and that would mean that the Packers are automatically going to be the seventh seed. That means they would have a rematch, like the rematch of the Rio matchup in week one that never should have happened, no idea why we did that. But then, you would have the commanders in the sixth spot, and would that be against the Rams? Well, that depends, because a lot of people don't know, and we just kind of assumed whatever, the Rams could fall to the fourth spot, and to be fair, they went to the Super Bowl at the two spot. Saints had the home field advantage, number one, but back in the day, with the six team format in 2018, the top two teams got buys. Well, now there's only one team. The Rams have never had the number one seed in Chomicvay's career, and they haven't had to. They went to the Super Bowl at the two seed, and they won the Super Bowl as the four seed. Actually, weirdly enough, the four seed has a better win-loss record in the postseason than the three seed. Now, that has nothing to do with this. But if the Rams lose to the Seahawks, which I am kind of feeling like they're going to, you get Seattle playing for pride, but these are all professionals, they're going to lay it on the line, and you have the Rams who are probably going to sit a lot of their starters. And if that's the case, I think it'll be potentially a fun, close game. A lot of young guys getting opportunities, Cody Schrader from Mizzou could even tote the rock in that one. He's been on the 53 all year and hasn't even been activated. But I don't expect them to win that game. And so because of that, that would mean that they would be the four spot as long as Tampa beats the Saints. And the Saints are not good, and they won't have their car. So I would imagine Tampa is going to beat the New Orleans Saints. So now, if that's the case, right, you would have the Rams falling to the four seed. If Tampa somehow loses that game, then it doesn't matter what the Rams do because the Falcons can't have enough wins to tie the Rams. So the Falcons would win the division with a win, but they would be the four seed regardless. So only Tampa can knock the Rams out of the three. But here's the deal, Alexis, when it comes to this. If the Rams do have that four seed, well, then we're going to watch essentially who they're going to play will be decided on Sunday night football. We all know it's going to happen. It's the worst kept secret in the league. The Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions will play on Sunday night football the final game of the year to decide who wins the division. And the winner will have 15 wins and they'll have a buy and they'll be the number one seed. And the road to the Super Bowl will go through them. However, the loser will have 14 wins and have to go on the road and play the Rams if they are the four seed. Now, Alexis, I think that's going to be the lions. I think the Rams are going to play the lions. I do. I think this is what the NFL would want. I think this is how it's going to end up going out. There's no way they're trotting Stafford out this weekend. He needs some time. He's taking some huge hits. I don't see it, but I'm curious what you think, but I think it's going to be the lions. If it's not, it'll be the commanders. I think the Vikings do win that game though. They are so hot right now. They're not anywhere near as banged up 21 on IR for the Lions. So I'll take the Vikings in week 18. So my gut tells me it's going to be the commanders. That's kind of what I've, you know, in the very short amount of time since we've clinched the division, have been feeling. I also think that the Lions are going to win that matchup against the Vikings. So I would say if it's not the commanders, I think it's probably going to be the Vikings. And you know, we did play well against the Vikings this season. We matched them on Thursday night football, you know? I think it's a favorable matchup for us to play the Minnesota Vikings. I really do. I know that's crazy. I know they're a very talented team, but, you know, we were able to kind of have our way with them before, you know, earlier in the season, I think it will happen again. So ideally, I think I'd rather play them or the commanders in general, though. I mean, I don't want to face anybody. I mean, like, you know what I mean, like all of these teams, like anybody in any given Sunday and then I fall playoffs, you know, all of these teams to me, you know, have earned to play off spot, and I would like to, you know, give them the respect that they're due. So I mean, Tampa could be a problem. I mean, they got the hottest quarterback in the NFL right now, regardless of what you want to say, he might not be the MVP, but no one's throw more touchdown passes in the last two years than Baker Mayfield. So I don't know. They got championship pedigree as well. Mike Evans is as consistent as they come. I'm not saying they're a, you know, surefire, super bowl threat, and obviously the Rams wouldn't play them in the first round if they win the division, but I don't know. I just think part of me is like, don't let Tampa get in the dance. Don't let the Rams get in the dance. They already did the Falcons. That's the one team I really feel like is beatable. Like if they were to get in, I think the lions or the Vikings would smack them. So I just based on what I've seen. I love Raheem Morris. I like what they're doing there. It's just a year too early, right? But Washington's interesting Alexis, because I think a lot of people are going to gravitate towards them being the easier one. They got the rookie quarterback. He's never played in the bright lights. That's true. But that's a team that has had the kiss of death, you know, going to the other team. I mean, they went on a Hail Mary against the Bears. They got some Oregon their way and, you know, some weird voodoo magic thing. But on top of that, they have championship pedigree. They have Dan Quinn, who by the way beat the Rams in the 2017 playoffs with the Atlanta Falcons, but obviously a different team, but still he's also been a Super Bowl. So he knows what it takes to get there. He brought over a lot of veterans on both sides of the ball, offensive and defensive, as the defensive coordinator from the Cowboys. And we saw the Cowboys in an all take with the same team. Biotish came over, Dante Fowler Jr., Dorins Armstrong Jr., brought in, you know, a veteran and Bobby Wagner, who he had in Seattle when he's a defensive coordinator, brought over Frankie Louvoo and Jeremy Chin. And you know, I just feel like these, these veterans really hooked onto them at the same time you watched last night. That was one thing that stood out for you that made Washington look very beatable. Cause I'll tell you what it was for me, but I'm curious if you saw something that really stood out to you that made them look very beatable. So I'll be honest with you, I didn't watch the entire game last night, I couldn't. That's why I don't want to be ignorant. So you tell the offensive line, they had like eight holding calls. They could not hold literally, they couldn't hold up their end of the bargain at all. It was bad. And the, the thing the equalizer there is Jaden Daniels. And he's the exact quarterback that just gives the Rams fits. But at the same time, you've seen that work against them. Kyler Murray loses his footing, like, and then you collapse the pocket and you get a young quarterback who's never been in the big, bright lights and he's making bad decisions. I just feel like the commanders aren't as simple as the worst team, the easiest team to play against. And they're not just young because I think a lot of people just look at them, oh, they're the young team. They're the team with veterans, man. They got more veterans than the Rams do. So they're, I would not call them a young team. So it's interesting. Very interesting there. But yeah, what say you? So, you know, we talked, well, I just mentioned the commanders. So what are your thoughts on the commanders looking at them? You know, what do they bring to the table? Good, bad. What have you just noticed about the team? I mean, I think they're a really great team on the rise. I mean, listen, I slept on them, obviously going into the season, right? I think most people did. I didn't think that they were going to be this good. You know, they have a new regime, I mean, literally from top to bottom. I mean, they, they got a new owner, they bring in, his name is Slipping My Mind. He used to be the Warriors, the Golden State Warriors guy, his name is Slipping My Mind, right? Don't they, their GM or I don't remember if he worked directly with the war. What's his name? Well, I know that they got Peters from the 49ers, but he's talking about the owner. Right. No, I don't remember. He's not the owner, but I mean, Josh Harris is the, the owner, but well, they brought in, they basically brought in a ton of new people of the organization. Right. They dropped. No, it wasn't him. Also, Magic Johnson only played for the Lakers. I know. I was saying Magic Johnson was one of those people they brought in, but it's a joke. He was just part of the ownership group is all. Oh, got you got you. Yeah. Yeah. But anyway, so they basically bring in a whole new squad. They have all this drama that happens right over the commanders organization with the old owner, bringing a new regime. At Arizona State University, we're bringing world class education from our globally acclaimed faculty to you, ranked number one in innovation for 10 consecutive years and number two among public universities for employability. ASU isn't just ahead of the curve. It's creating new paths to success. Earn your degree from the nation's most innovative university online. That's a degree better. More than 300 undergraduate graduate and certificate programs at asuonline.asu.edu. If you're a maintenance supervisor for a commercial property, you've had to deal with everything from leaky faucets to flickering light bulbs. But nothing's worse than that ancient boiler that's lived in the building since the day it was built. 50 years ago, it's enough to make anyone lose their cool. That's where Granger comes in. With industrial grade products and dependable fast delivery, Granger can help with any challenge. From worn out components to everyday necessities, call clickgranger.com or just stop by, Ranger for the ones who get it done. I was like, all right, they get their rookie quarterback. I'm like, I'm not expecting much. They're rebuilding. And then look at what they've done. Hey. I mean, they-- I had to go in nine and eight. Bob Myers is there. Damn. I didn't know that. Yeah. He was the former GM. Okay. I knew I wasn't crazy. I knew I was the former GM of the Golden State Warriors. So they-- he switched sports. They bring in this new regime and basically it's a testament just, I think, to what the commanders have built over there. And I mean, they hit a homerun with Jane Daniels. Yeah. Obviously. Obviously. Has had a very good season. And, you know, again, I just-- I thought that this was going to be like a true rebuilding struggle year for them. And they proved me wrong. So, you know, I think it's been-- it's been fun to watch. But to kind of answer your question of what I think, you know, I guess, of them in terms of an opponent, yes, I think obviously if you're taking your pick of teams, you know, and you have to make an educated guess on, you know, where are we going to find our strengths? You probably pick the team with the working quarterback, the team that, like, isn't maybe on paper supposed to be, you know, one of the better teams. But again, like I said earlier, I don't want to face any of them. I respect every single team in the playoffs. So I do-- I would say they probably would be my pick, but I don't say that lightly. I say that like it's like the lust of all the evils out there. I know that was kind of a shit answer, but yeah, my assumption is that if you can shut down Jaden Daniels on the commanders, then it's going to be an easier path to victory. I think he's the key there. Yeah, I just-- so I think with Washington, they have a lot of veteran presence. They have guys that can rush the passer. The offense line is pitiful, but they have weapons. You know, they have a good run game. I just-- I think Jaden Daniels is just such a coin flip because he could absolutely be, you know, he could be a real big problem or, you know, he could end up being a big problem for the commanders, where he tries to do too much. So I think that's definitely something there. Now in addition to that, you know, you have another team who you've mentioned, the Green Bay Packers. And I just-- I feel like with the Green Bay Packers, they're the team that probably-- the way that they've played their season so far, the way they play their games, how it always comes down to the wire, they could be down by 17 or 20 and they feverishly come back and they run out of time, but sometimes they get the win. Well, the Rams are one of those teams that would be susceptible to losing to a team like that. They get up on you early on in their problem. If they don't get up on you early on, they're still a problem because they don't go away. You have Jordan Love, who is literally the most fearless quarterback in the NFL to do will throw anything. That's not necessarily a great thing there, but he's a talented player and he's very mobile and can make plays. You got a bevy of weapons. You got your long lost cousin, Tucker Kraft. You got-- I don't know, maybe there's some relation somewhere. Maybe there is. It's not that I know of. Josh Jacobs, who he can just absolutely wear down a defense, a really good offensive line up front to not only protect, but also deliver the blow up front to, you know, open up some holes in the run game. You got guys like Romeo Dobbs and you got guys like Dontavian Wicks and Musgrave, who hasn't really been utilized that much because of the injury, but he'll be healthy. The offense can do some things. Then you have the defense and you got Cooper, the linebacker, who's really good. We'll see if Jair Alexander is going to play. He feels like every week, he's hurt, but he's a huge contributor, Xavier McKinney. He is a ball hawk, so there's a lot there for the Packers. Also, Sean McPhee has never beaten Matt LaFloor before ever, so that is-- that's an interesting one. I don't-- I think some people will look at them like, oh, yeah, you know, they didn't look that impressive in some of those games and I look at them and I say, why are they not better than what they are? And to me, that's when the postseason comes along and if you get in there, those teams, we've seen it different sports, right? How many times have you seen a March Madness? A team has been like, oh, they're good, but they're not quite where they should be. And then it just clicks as soon as they get to the postseason. The Packers could be that team, so I am not discounting them, but what are your thoughts on the Green Bay Packers? I mean, I feel like they've been a little bit hot and cold. I think Jordan Love is one of those guys, you'll watch him sometimes and he's like the most accurate quarterback in the league, I feel like. There are times where you watch Jordan Love and I think one of these games, and this was last season, but this is just an example, it might have been last Thanksgiving that the Packers played or the Thanksgiving before. Everything blurs together right now after the holiday season, but it was either last year or the year before in Thanksgiving. I just remember watching Jordan Love and I had never seen a more accurate game from a quarterback. It was so interesting to me because I definitely did not have very high hopes for Jordan Love in the NFL. Being honest, I was wrong about him and I just remember watching that game and have watched several games since then where he is so good, but then I've seen him play at times where he's just absolutely awful. He's one of those guys that I never know what's going to happen when I watch him play, and I think that the Packers success and it depends, I don't want to play the Packers when Jordan Love is locked in. I don't. No. I want to play the Packers with the version of Jordan Love that I've seen a few times this season, but the problem is you don't know what's going to happen. I think that's why I'm skeptical and a little bit nervous about playing the Packers in the postseason because I have that fear that we're going to get that version of Jordan Love that I think is going to be a problem for the Rams. I don't know. The Packers are also just such a weird offense because it's like they have, I feel like they have like 50 receivers. It does feel that way. Doesn't it? Like they have just this kind of rule. And then they throw a touchdown to Malik Keith and you're like, yeah, you're like, why do you have like 65 receivers on your team and none of them and none of them are a wide receiver one, in my opinion, like some people can't stay healthy. So if he could stay healthy, you'd probably say it's Christian Watson. But like they've, again, it's just a kind of this mix of guys that they're all like not quite well, we know who they're going to. It's their tight end. Well, yeah, it's probably their best receiver. I do want to point out that since the Bears game, so this is one, two, three, four, five, six straight games. Jordan Love is not throwing an interception. So I feel like that's not really Jordan Love. That's the game plan because you go back. He threw an interception every single game, Alexis, every single game of the season, Eagles, Vikings, Rams, Cardinals, Texans, Jaguars, Lions, Bears interception every single game. And since he's gone six straight games without throwing a pick. So I think, I think they've kind of changed things up on, you know, the way they use him. They've definitely made some adjustments. That makes him more of a problem though, because if he's going to be careful with the football, well, you know, that, I mean, that's, that is something to keep in mind. I don't want to miss her super chat here. I just noticed it. Man of paradox. Thank you for the five. Hi, folks, most starters to sit, McVay pulls rabbit out of a hat for the win. Jimmy G has great game. Ronnie Rivers for, to run for a hundred plus and B game hero. Yeah. Remember when Ronnie Rivers was getting carries in week one and now I forgot he was on the team? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Appreciate you. Well, I think, I think like, you know, if we want to, I feel bad, like we kind of skipped over the game against the Cardinals, but that's not what I think people are wanting to talk about right now. Well, we can, we can revisit our favorite moments from the, yeah, but I think right now people are really questioning like, first off, who can they play, which we won over? And now who do you want to play and who could, who was the most likely for them to play? So we talked about the Packers and we talked about the commanders. Now we get into the juggernauts, the, the two best teams in the NFC, arguably Eagles are up there, but looking at, we'll start with the Vikings who many would say are not favored to win on the road next week against the Lions. The Vikings, the Rams played 30 to 20 win. Vikings started off and I remember I was doing a watch party for that game. So I saw the chat while I was live and I could tell you right now, nobody thought they were winning that game. The way that the Vikings came out, you actually forget about it because the Rams took total control in the second half, but the Vikings at the beginning of that game had two straight touchdown drives. Like they looked unbelievable. Sam Darnold is just pushing the ball down the field at will and all of a sudden you're like, oh crap, they're not going to win this game if this keeps up. And then they figured things out in the second half and made some really nice adjustments and, um, flores for whatever reason in blitz a lot. But Sam Darnold is coming off a 377 passing yard game against the Packers. Three touchdowns, one interception, 35 freaking touchdowns on the year for Darnold, 12 interceptions, over 4,000 yards, 106.4 pass or reading. If you're a maintenance supervisor for a commercial property, you've had to deal with everything from leaky faucets to flickering light bulbs, but nothing's worse than that ancient boiler that's lived in the building since the day it was built 50 years ago. It's enough to make anyone lose their cool. That's where Granger comes in. With industrial grade products and dependable fast delivery, Granger can help with any challenge. From worn out components to everyday necessities, call click ranger.com or just stop by Ranger for the ones who get it done. Incredible stuff. Um, I can't believe I'm saying this because I thought the Vikings were going to be terrible. Uh, because I didn't think Sam Darnold was any good, which is sad because I always liked him. But I just kind of was like, yeah, he just isn't that guy. Oh man, was I wrong. Darnold has been huge. He's had multiple games of multiple touchdowns, uh, at least three plus. He had a five touchdown game against the Falcons on December 8th. He's legit. The question is, are the Vikings going to be a problem in a rematch against the Rams? Because in that game, the Rams played him at their strongest and right away, Christian Daresaw goes down and they traded for Cam Robinson, who's now their left tackle, which was a smart trade, but he's not Daresaw. So what are your thoughts when you watch the Vikings and it seems like they give up a lot of yards. They give up a lot of points, but they have an offense that can go toe to toe with anybody. How do you see this Vikings team just looking at them? Well, looking at them, I mean, they're obviously very good team. You know, I'm on the same page. I totally, you know, had low expectations for them. They started off their season, you know, in kind of a weird way, right? You know, you draft JJ McCarthy in the first round. He gets injured in pre-season. He's out. You've got Sam Darnold, who has struggled, right? He is, you know, I don't know if regressed is the right term, but essentially regressed, right, over the past several seasons. You don't have high expectations. You know, he was a backup in San Francisco. So you kind of feel like bummer, you know, if you're a Vikings fan, right? Going into the season, expectations are low and look at what they've done. I certainly would have never, you know, expected this as I don't think anybody else did. So I think they're dangerous. I think Sam Darnold is playing probably the best football of his career at this point. I think, you know, him and Kevin O'Connell are a match made in heaven. I mean, you have one of the best receivers in the league, if not the best, and Justin Jefferson, you know, Aaron Jones has been a good back for them. Jordan Addison, another good receiver that they've got, T.G. Hockinson. So they've got weapons. They've got a quarterback that's playing at a high level. I think, you know, I think any team should be nervous to play Minnesota in the postseason. I mean, the Rams played well against them in Thursday night football. We know this. I was at a wedding rehearsal that game, so I didn't get to watch the whole thing live. But I was like watching people who listen to our show know I was literally at the wedding rehearsal, like watching Amazon Prime on my phone. So yeah, I think that they're a more, like to me, they're a more dangerous team in the playoffs than the commanders, in my opinion. So I would prefer, if I'm, again, if we're doing this game, to play somebody like the commanders, even the Packers, before I think I would want to play the Vikings, but then at the same time, it's like, you know, I saw what the Rams were able to do against the Vikings on Thursday night football, who's to say they can't, you know, repeat that. I don't know. Yeah. I think I think if you're judging this Vikings team based on how they've been playing as a late, they are going to be a very dangerous team in the playoffs. So, you know, I think that's a fair assessment. I do think, so I'm seeing in the chat, you know, for everybody listening, there's a live chat right now on YouTube. People are kind of speculating and talking about starters, right, or the Rams going to play starters this upcoming Sunday against the Seahawks. What's going on? You mentioned the running back situation. This might not be a popular opinion. I know people are saying Ronnie Rivers, I actually think Blake Quorum's going to play a lot. I do too. A definite. I think he should. I think he needs the reps, you know, I think it's a good opportunity for him. You know, yes, you know, I don't think that a lot of the starters are going to play. I really don't. I don't think that the Rams should risk it with our luck this season, right? You start off the season just riddled with injury. I don't think the Rams are afraid of going from the three seed to the four seed. And someone in the chat said, if they just said that he's resting guys and said, Quorum will get a lot of reps this week. So there we go. I'm excited for him. I really want to see a lot of Blake Quorum. I, you know, I think that he's going to have a lot of success against the Seahawks. You know, I'd be curious to see how the offensive line looks though. You know, going against this game, is he going to get at least a solid, you know, line to run behind? I hope so. I hope not. And I don't mean anything against Quorum, but offensive line help has just not been there this year. So I'm definitely using the backups. I'm hoping the backups can play well, you know, for him. And again, you know, the Seahawks don't really have anything to play for the pride. So well, don't underestimate that. Well, that's what I'm saying. Like they, I think they're going to come out hard against us on Sunday. But yeah, I'm excited for Blake. I think he'll get a lot of reps, you know, Ronnie Rivers as well. I would like to see Cody Schrader too. I don't know that we'll get that deep on the running back depth chart. We might, because here's another thing to keep in mind. You could play Blake for a half and then play Ronnie and Cody in the second half. Because remember, you want to keep Blake healthy for the playoffs too. So you know, you're, you obviously know that Kyron is you're running back one in the playoffs. He's going to play probably, you know, 85% of the snaps like he has been and he's going to continue to do that for the playoffs. But if something happens to him, then you know, you want Blake Quorum there. So I think that you know, Blake Horum should play the first half. I don't know that I play in the second half. No, I don't think you have to. I think, yeah, I think Cody Schrader gets opportunities. I think that would make sense. I'd love to find out where this whole McVey thing is going down. Oh, the McVey show. So yeah, I'm not going to be able to, yeah. It doesn't look like anybody, I don't know. Is anybody tweeting this out? I'm not. I've just been watching our chat. I'm not on the interwebs at the moment, but yeah, it's just the McVey show, which I unfortunately, it's not like something I could read and then just tell you guys it's something I'd have to actually watch, which would be incredibly distracting because I'd also have to listen while doing a podcast. No, no, my brain would absolutely lose it, but okay. So think about this, commanders, you know, we already talked about them, talked about the Packers. We talked about the Vikings. Maybe not a ton about their defense, but you kind of get the picture. Now the Lions. This is the team I think most Rams fans want to play. Revenge kind of trumps everything, I think, for a lot of people. And yeah, the Rams could certainly do themselves some help there with the revenge. The Lions are currently down six to seven against the 49ers. This game does not matter. The Lions are just basically trying to protect their perfect road record, seven to no on the road, but this game doesn't really matter because it all comes down to week 18 against the Vikings to win the division. Some of us need Jamison Williams to have a big night for our fantasy championship. Oh, he scored a touchdown, so I did. I did see that, which I'm happy about because some of us is me. So I actually need Jamison Williams and George Kittle to have a big night because I'm behind it. I got to address. I got to address my friend here. Ruiz, for obvious reasons, we can't give you our address live on a live stream. Right. I'll hit you up. I'll hit you up. Yeah. Jake, give him, give him my address. I appreciate it though, too. I'm excited. You know, I love candles. Yeah. The candle fishing. But it's by the way, you know, we have to be, we have to be careful when you're a person that doesn't have a screen name that puts themselves out there. People just hate you because of your existence. There are people that like you. There are people that hate you. The last thing I'm going to do is dox myself or Alexis for that matter. So oh, yeah, I could give you the PO box, but yeah, it's in the description or I don't know if it's in this description. It's in the last video I did. I open family. Send mine. Send mine to Jake's PO box and we'll make Jake send it to me. No, no. Sorry, I'm not doing that. I'm way too lazy for that. Yeah, I'll message you, but yeah. So yeah, I think we've covered, you know, the options of who we're going to play. I do think to wrap up, we should talk a little bit about, you know, the game against the Cardinals and, you know, I understand the concerns, right? We've had really bad offensive performance, you know, the past few games. It's not fun seeing these like 13 to 9, you know, 12 to whatever scores, right? It's concerning from an offensive standpoint because our defense is playing so well. And you want your offense that has Matthew Stafford and Cooper Cup and Pooka Nakua and Kyron Williams and, you know, you want them to go out there and perform the way that, you know, they should. So let's let's talk about that because I keep getting asked about that. I mean, we have another game where, you know, the only touchdown we scored against the Cardinals, you know, was a Kyron Williams red zone touchdown, which story of the year, right? I mean, we've just struggled for whatever reason to score. And do you have thoughts on that? Do you have thoughts on what specifically is wrong? Do you think it's all tied to the offensive line? Because I think the offensive line play is not, you know, amazing at times, but they're not, they played fine and they give up a sack. So can't blame the offensive line there. I mean, what are your thoughts? I think Stafford is, is banged up and he's missing throws that he normally hits. Cooper Cup is not creating separation. He normally does, which I think that is the sign of a decline. So he could definitely use a week off. So can Stafford. Demarcus Robinson hasn't caught anything in his last five targets in the last four games. There's no speed on this offense right now because two two out will barely place Jordan winnington as well as two two out well, by the way, who leads the team in average yards of separation, which that might surprise some people. Jordan winnington needs to play more. So I don't know if people realize he's in the top five in blocking at wide receiver according to PFF only Puka and Chris Conley and a couple others are ahead of him. Wittington should always be on the field at well, I get okay, maybe, you know, you feel like you have to motion him to get him open, whatever. Maybe he's not on the field every single play, but he should be on the field more Alexis. The situation is this. It's the car in Williams, Puka and a cool show, Tyler Higby came back and I feel more excited about Tyler Higby right now than Cooper cup and I that's sad. I don't want to be like that. I'm not trying to be a Debbie downer and I know a lot of people really did not like did not like my take that I had on Cooper cup, but they have to scheme him open now. And it is obvious he does not move as well as he used to. And so that when you have to scheme a guy open, well, now you can't try that with Puka Nikua. You can't try that with too too out. Well, you got a scheme cup open and cup is a great blocker. So he still has a role on this team. But I think right now the issue is that there's just not enough speed in this offense. You know, if it's not Puka Nikua, no one else is generating explosives because they don't use at well and they don't use Whittington. And it's just it's frustrating right now. Demarcus Robinson plays off of the other guys as much as people don't want to hear that he does. He's not an amazing receiver. He's solid, but that's the reality. And so we can sit here and blame the offensive line all we want and say, Oh, well, you know, it's because Joseph Noteboom played. Yeah, that might have had something to do with them, not going deep down the field, you know, on those, those bombs. But I'm telling you, this has been going on before Noteboom had to play. This offense has been in a rut and they've had some miscues. It's not just that, the Hunter long penalties, you know, the, the illegal formation, I believe that was against the jets that wiped off like a 30 yard run by Blake Corum. So a lot of that is happening, Alexis, and it's just there's a lot of stuff going on. But I think the main focus right now is getting these guys healthy as much as they can going into that wild card game, because I think Stafford will go God mode in the wild card game and in the playoffs as long as he sits this week. I really believe he needs like because people did not really understand they take him for granted. The guy is an absolute trooper, but if you haven't seen the last three weeks, him getting hit directly in the sternum helmet, just dead on to like the ribs. I'm telling you, those hits, they add up and, you know, when you're moving your body, your ribs move to when you're throwing. So I'm sure that's affecting him. I'm sure, you know, I saw him land on his shoulder. I think he's banged up and I think giving him a week is going to help. So that's what I would say there, but I think the offense can fix what's going on because obviously we saw 44 points against the bills. So it's possible, but they have to be open to making adjustments and it starts with adding two to outwell and Jordan Wington to the actual offensive game plan and not just as decoys and not just as sub package players. They need to cut away Cooper cups reps. So I'm not saying bench him, but they need to cut his reps and they need to bench to mark his Robinson and they need to put guys out there that are going to going to consistently win. And that's what winnington and atwell, I think can do. So it's that simple. I mean, they're going to get healthy in the offensive line. They're obviously not going to play Haven Stein this week. He'll be back to playing right tackle for the wild card game, but it's that simple and we'll see if they do it. I also don't want to Sean McVay has been a fantastic head coach and he's had some good play calls this year. He's had some games. I've really enjoyed the bills game was an absolute clinic, but since the bills game, his play calling has been, you know, a lot to be desired and, you know, I do think they've kind of gone away from things that worked in the past, mixing up the pitches and just being really, it just feels like 2020 when Jared Goff would just throw to Cooper cup all the time and people would complain about it. That's what it feels like. Stafford is only throwing a puke and a coup because that's the only guy that's actually coming away and making plays and the guy that he can trust. So yeah, I guess it's a longer winded answer than I expected, but that's the offense. I mean, yeah, I'm on the same page. You know, it just feels like, you know, the lack of separation that these receivers are struggling with, it matters and there's no explosiveness. And I do agree, you know, I feel like the play calling has gotten very, very stale. I think that, you know, what makes Sean McVay so fun to watch as a coach in kind of his MO is he's, you know, offense on offense, he's just a creative genius, right? That's kind of how he made his name. And it does feel like, you know, he's gotten at times just super predictable. But again, it's saying that is a little, I don't know if it's entirely fair because, you know, we say all these things about how the offense is struggling, you know, he's trying to work around it. So it's just kind of a cycle, you know, there's multiple problems and they feed off of each other. But, you know, I think going down the line, you know, to play off stretch, I mean, more people have to be scoring than Puka and Kyren. Yeah. We just do. I mean, you're not. And you know, we talk about durability and we talk about Matthew Stafford's banged up. And you know, you look at Kyren Williams has had an insane workload this entire season. He's played 85% of snaps at running back every single game. He is getting, you know, he had games where he was getting like 30 carries. They kind of cut buck on that in times. But I mean, he's in there all the time doing pass pro. And everybody's big concern about Kyren going into the season, right was durability. He answered the durability question. I've said this so many times. It's so true. People just forgot that they were upset and complaining about him being injury. Right. Yeah. So now he's made it the knock on, you know, wood, right? I don't want to jinx it. So everybody was complaining about that. Now, you know, he's made it and he's he's scored 16 touchdowns for this team by far more than anybody else. But then you have that question like, you know, you're going to be playing an extended season, hopefully more than 18 weeks. It's like, keep him healthy, keep Stafford healthy, keep these guys healthy. You have to have more people scoring than, you know, you have to have an offense that is more than Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams and Pukunakua. So let's say that's the concern right now is how do they get other people contributing? How do they take the workload off of Kyren? How do they, you know, give Puka some rest? I think you're right. I think you have to get too, too out while involved more. I think you need to use Jordan Whittington more. You've got to start being creative again with the offense because you're going to get yourself to a point and maybe you already have where teams know who your two guys are. They know that Kyren is your weapon and that Pukunakua's your weapon at receiver. So I would like to see it maybe week 18, you know, maybe against the Seahawks. That's going to be McVay's time to experiment a little bit and see what he wants to do in the playoffs because I agree with everybody who is concerned about the offense. I don't know that there's necessarily like a right or wrong way to fix it. I just think that there's some obvious concerns. And I want to see Tutu and Jordan Whittington about more, especially Jordan Whittington, you know, he's done very well when he's utilized and he's been underutilized and I think he's been more productive these past few weeks than Demarcus Robinson and that's no shade to Demarcus. I mean, he's got seven touchdowns. He's got the second most touchdowns on this team, you know, for the Rams. But you know, he's struggled the past several weeks and I'd like to see Jordan get some more playing time. So we'll see and maybe Sunday will be kind of a prove it day as silly as that sounds for some of these guys who aren't utilized more and then maybe they'll be used in the playoffs. We'll see. Yeah, you know, we'll definitely see. I think, I think with Kyren, you know, people are really never going to give him his due because he's not, well, I mean, absolutely this so many times he's not 6'1", 6'2", 220 pounds, runs a 4'4", but where would this team be without him? As much as I love Matthew Stafford and I think he's helped them big time. I don't think this team's in the playoffs without Kyren. Actually I know they're not and I don't know. I just, it is frustrating that whole, I've talked about it at nauseam on this channel, but just like everybody was so concerned about his injury prone, whatever people were saying and he doesn't get credit at all for playing every game, but not just playing every game. Being that stature, you know, that build and everything that everybody says he's too small to play running back, let's remind everybody here, Kyren Williams has 316 carries. That's second in the league. I mean, he did that while being 5'9" and 202 pounds and I don't think he's small. I think he's shorter, but the way people talk about it, I mean, I think he's a buck 70. So this isn't just, he played every game, he played every game having the second largest workload in the league. That's saying a lot and he just needed 10 touches to pass, was it Stephen Jackson in 2006, I must have said 2016. I got to find it, but I think, let's see here, yep. Most touches by, it wasn't 2006 though, most touches by a Rams player since Stephen Jackson in 2010. That's more than Todd Gurley. I mean, and no, he should not see the field week 18. He shouldn't even be on the sidelines, put him in bubble wrap, like lock him in a freezer where no one can get at him, like, no, I'm kidding, but like do not put him anywhere near the field. I don't want anybody accidentally running into his legs. I don't want him standing near the sideline, like, no, he is so key and critical if this team is going to win the Super Bowl, they're going to have to run the ball with Kyra Williams. I think that was the thing that irked me the most, is that in a 13 to nine game, he only had what, 14, 15 carries. It's just not acceptable. So yeah. Yeah, I mean, I think, well, particularly in the game against the Cardinals, that right side of the line was not good, you know, with Haven Stein out and I think Kyra and, I think they thought that, you know, he would struggle probably. That's probably why they didn't run the ball as much. But yeah, I agree with you about, you know, Kyra and everyone in the chat is like, I see Jack just asked, should Kyra get an extension after the season? Yeah. Yes. Yes. I think they should pay them. Here's, here's the, you know, as Jake said, and people can, can disagree all they want. Kyra and is there, in my opinion, the biggest reason that the offense is now in the playoffs. The statistics back that up, if you guys want to go, like I said, nobody's come. Kyra and has scored 16 touchdowns for the Rams. The next closest person is Demarcus Robinson, who scored seven touchdowns for the Rams. That's ridiculous. He is seven touchdowns. That, yeah. And then after that, it just drops off. I mean, it just, you want to talk about consistency. That's been the only consistent player that the Rams often, other than Matthew Stafford, of course. But remember, we started the season one and four. I mean, Stafford wasn't throwing touchdowns. You know, we were scoring exclusively. At one point, I'm pretty sure that Kyra and had like seven touchdowns and then it was like Puka, sorry, Cooper Cup had won. And that was it. So, you know, again, people don't really like to give Kyra and his flowers. I get it. He's not Derek Henry and so many people after Todd Gurley really want to running back like that. I think it's a shame that people don't give credit where credit is due. And I think you're right. I think if the Rams want to make a deep playoff run, you're going to need Tyron to show up. You're going to need to utilize him. Yeah, and that's why you definitely don't play him against the Seahawks. Like I said, I think if I'm playing or coaching against the Seahawks, I'm playing Blake Quorum in the first half and Ronnie and Cody Schrader in the second because I don't want Blake Quorum either. It's a pre-season game. That for me, that's what it is. I'm not playing Kellow in the secondary. I'm not playing Darius Williams in the secondary. I don't even play Kobe Durant in the secondary. I don't play Kobe Turner. I don't play Byron Young. I don't play verse. I don't play Fisk. I don't even play Roseboom. I don't play Omar Spates. I'm not playing the safeties. I'm calling guys up off the practice squad. You can't call everyone up, but I am. Schrader is on the 53. He is going to see time. I would like to see him have a lot of time because I want to see what he actually can do. But yeah, I think Garoppolo has won some big time games. I mean, he's an NFL caliber quarterback who's been in the system the whole year. I'm ready to see what this guy can do. That's how I feel. So yeah, I mean, I don't want to see a starter out there if we don't have to. I think it's important to get reps for quorum, yes. I think it's important to, in my opinion, I think it's important to get reps for your backup quarterback because what if you need him in the postseason? And if you want to say, well, we're done. If staffer goes down, well, I believe that would likely be the case, but let's not forget how the Eagles fans thought when Carson Wentz went down and Nick Foles had his run. I mean, you just never know. So that's how I would look at that. I, as of right now, because we're not doing our preview yet, it's early in the week. And we have no idea who the hell is playing. We just know that, yeah, okay, they're going to sit some guys. But the way I see it is that I think the Rams are going to lose and I think they're going to play the Lions in the first round for verse five. And I'll go as far as to say the Eagles beat the Packers. And then the Bucks take down the commanders. And you know what that would mean, Alexis? That would mean the Rams wouldn't avoid playing outside. In a weird way, the four seed might actually be the best because you would avoid playing the Eagles in the divisional round interesting, right? So if you win, if you win as the four seed and Tampa wins as the three and the Eagles win is the two, the Vikings or the Lions, whoever would play the four seed. See, I'm saying Eagles as the two seed would play the three seed. So yeah, well, we'll find out, I mean, we'll have to obviously see how everything shakes out. But yeah, I'm kind of just like, I'm going to worry about it right before it happens. I'm going to enjoy this week, you know, last week in the NFL season. It is there's going to be a lot of good games, you know, a lot of teams are, you know, in a spot in week 18 where they have to literally play, you know, for something, I think the Rams are in a pretty good spot. Um, yeah, and we'll, we'll be starting off, you know, January with a interesting game against the Seahawks and yeah, we'll go from there. But guys, there's 748 of you viewing right now. We appreciate it. Thank you for stopping in to chat with us, to listen to our thoughts, you know, we will be back Friday night to preview this game against Seahawks when we kind of know more about what's going on who, who might specifically be playing. We'll definitely be talking about it, um, you know, enjoy your New Year's Eve and New Year. Tomorrow's New Year's Eve. Have a very safe night. Please make good decisions. Be safe. Have fun. Enjoy your New Year's day. I will be watching obviously. Notre Dame played Georgia, not expecting to start my New Year off on a great note in that regard, but I will be watching, um, if any of you are going to be watching the college football playoffs, um, you know, you'll be, you'll be watching alongside me. But guys, we'll be back Friday night until then. Please follow us and all social media at downtown Rams. You can follow me on Twitter at the Alexis craft. You can follow Jake at JK Bogan and we will be back soon. But as always, until then, stay safe, take care and go Rams. [inaudible] [inaudible] [BLANK_AUDIO]