Were we really a win away?

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Ramon Ram

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So many are talking about how we should be in Super Bowl and a heavy favorite. Those are the Patriots and we know how playing them in the SB goes.
Next year is our year with Stafford back and 2 first round picks. The reality is we could have easily lost the first 2 playoff games and next year is not a given. I would think we will be confident if we draft right and sign a FA or two but this is the NFL and nothing is a given.
 
Whoever was the NFCCG winner was winning the SB. The Broncos and Patriots are both underwhelming teams.
I actually would not be surprised if the Patriots beat the Seahawks. On paper the Seahawks look dominant but as Rams fans know anything can happen in one game. The Patriots have an aggressive defense that has quality corners in the back end and a decent running attack. I think the Seahawks defensive front is one of the best at just sending 4 and getting pressure. It’s going to be a challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots offensive line but the wildcard is his mobility and ability to run the ball. Several times in the Rams game there was clearly space for Stafford to step up in the pocket and run the ball for yardage because the secondary was running downfield in coverage. That’s just not a part of his game but one tool Maye has that if used in the right situation could extend drives and help control the time of possession. Obviously Maye is going to have to make plays in the passing game as well. But while the Seahawks should definitely be big favorites they are no lock to win.
 
I actually would not be surprised if the Patriots beat the Seahawks. On paper the Seahawks look dominant but as Rams fans know anything can happen in one game. The Patriots have an aggressive defense that has quality corners in the back end and a decent running attack. I think the Seahawks defensive front is one of the best at just sending 4 and getting pressure. It’s going to be a challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots offensive line but the wildcard is his mobility and ability to run the ball.
This ^^^^^

I can see Darnold and MacDonald letting out huge sighs of relief to get past the Rams. The Patriots with a 2nd year QB? Easiest schedule in the NFL? I think you hit the nail on the freaking head with Maye's mobility. He will run and when they start looking for it, he'll move, then hit wide open receivers for huge chunks. This should be a win-win for Rams fans. No matter who loses, it'll be nice.
 
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This ^^^^^

I can see Darnold and MacDonald letting out huge sighs of relief to get past the Rams. The Patriots with a 2nd year QB? Easiest schedule in the NFL? I think you hit the nail on the freaking head with Maye's mobility. He will run and when they start looking for it, he'll move, then hit wide open receivers for huge chunks. This should be a win-win for Rams fans. No matter who loses, it'll be nice.
I agree. I’m certainly not a fan of the Patriots with their past against the Rams and to be honest didn’t think that they were for real this year but I saw something in Maye against the Texans defense that impressed me. The Denver game was hard to judge because of the weather and Denver playing a backup qb. I just don’t think either team is going to run away from the other in the Super Bowl. Maye’s mobility along with the New England secondary could be a huge factor on Super Bowl Sunday. Too bad they both can’t lose.
 
I don't think anyone would be that surprised if Darnold gifts the game away.

Playoff Patriots defense shows signs of being a different animal than regular season Patriots. In the first round, Chargers players supposedly said they couldn't figure out what the Pats were doing on defense. (link). If true (big if), this translates to the Pats playing differently than what they had shown on film. The Chargers gave up 6 sacks and ended up with just 3 points, so the Pats D did something. The next week, Pats picked off CJ Stroud 4 times. The next week was the snow game against a backup QB - just 7 points to the Broncos. Regardless of that snow game, the Pats D has had itself a nice playoff run.

Darnold has seen ghosts. The way the Pats D has been playing, and especially if they change up their D like against the Chargers, Darnold could be seeing more ghosts.

Regardless of any Darnold regression, Stafford and McVay would've been better equipped to deal with any Patriots schematic chicanery than The Darnold will be.
 
We were what were so to speak.

A lower end elite offensive team which a declning defense and poor special teams.

Not a great nor complete team - but a really good one.

We were always on th edge of greatness but never there - because that's what we really were.

An MVP quarterback is great - but the rest of the team had too many holes.
 
This ^^^^^

I can see Darnold and MacDonald letting out huge sighs of relief to get past the Rams. The Patriots with a 2nd year QB? Easiest schedule in the NFL? I think you hit the nail on the freaking head with Maye's mobility. He will run and when they start looking for it, he'll move, then hit wide open receivers for huge chunks. This should be a win-win for Rams fans. No matter who loses, it'll be nice.

The Rams were 14 point favorites against the cheatriots in SB36. Of course I'm not convinced that the cheatriots didn't cheat.
 
Rams could have won a SB this year but with their flawed STs (how do I disappoint thee…let me count the ways) and leaky defense (no 2 score lead was safe) were they a SB champion team?

Competitive? Hell yes.

SB champion team? Not this year..,but that’s on tap for next year once they fill several holes with solid starters (WR2, CB1, CB2, ILB2) with at least one alpha dog FA on defense and clean up the ST shitshow.
 
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I actually would not be surprised if the Patriots beat the Seahawks. On paper the Seahawks look dominant but as Rams fans know anything can happen in one game. The Patriots have an aggressive defense that has quality corners in the back end and a decent running attack. I think the Seahawks defensive front is one of the best at just sending 4 and getting pressure. It’s going to be a challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots offensive line but the wildcard is his mobility and ability to run the ball. Several times in the Rams game there was clearly space for Stafford to step up in the pocket and run the ball for yardage because the secondary was running downfield in coverage. That’s just not a part of his game but one tool Maye has that if used in the right situation could extend drives and help control the time of possession. Obviously Maye is going to have to make plays in the passing game as well. But while the Seahawks should definitely be big favorites they are no lock to win.
Nah it aint 9/11 again.....
 
Nah it aint 9/11 again.....
If you say so but nobody gave the Patriots a chance and that Rams team was worlds better than this Seahawks team. But go ahead and bet all you want. Not saying it’s gonna happen but just reminding you about history.
 
If you say so but nobody gave the Patriots a chance and that Rams team was worlds better than this Seahawks team. But go ahead and bet all you want. Not saying it’s gonna happen but just reminding you about history.
Well aware. I just dont think NE is very good......
 
The absolute best scenario is Darnold melts down and throws multiple picks and is the Reason the hawks lose in the Super Bowl. That will leave a huge question mark hanging over the hawks in the off season.
This happening, as a Rams fan, would be the best possible outcome. Imagine Seattle stressing about their QB situation because Darnold shits the bed. priceless if you ask me
 
This happening, as a Rams fan, would be the best possible outcome. Imagine Seattle stressing about their QB situation because Darnold shits the bed. priceless if you ask me
i want to see Seattle win on Immaculate Reception II where Darnold throws the ball into the lap of a ne FRAUDULENT defender who misplays it into the waiting arms of Cooper Kupp for the only score of the game in which Darnold throws five picks and Drake Maye fumbles five times.
 
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i want to see Seattle win on Immaculate Reception II where Darnold throws the ball into the lap of a ne FRAUDULENT defender who misplays it into the waiting arms of Cooper Kupp for the only score of the game in which Darnold throws five picks and Drake Maye fumbles five times.
I can't root for Seattle so hopefully NE wins and Darnold plays horribly