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The Rams lost to the Buffalo Bills, 30-19. Many of the fans on this site were probably hoping that the Rams could break out to 4-1, with control of the NFC West in their hands, myself included.
Silly us. This is Fisherball. The type of game plan that calls for a Red Zone field goal late in the fourth quarter, because it’s much too risky to try and tie the game with a defense who had stopped the Bills cold in the 2nd half. The same could be said for a fake-punt deep in your own territory that ultimately sealed the game.
It could be a once-in-a-generation running back stuck behind the league’s worst offensive line. It could be the #1 overall pick who sits on the bench behind a quarterback who has 6 turnovers in 5 games.
No, thinking is obviously too difficult when it comes to Fisherball. Watching, at this point, is almost irrelevant, as it’s going to be the same thing no matter what happens.
The Quick Five
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Jeff Fisher
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It's funny, I've had Jeff Fisher trending down for two weeks. Last week, it was because of two terrible challenges. This week, it's due to the boneheaded idea that going for the tie at your own 5 yard line is riskier than faking a punt inside your own 30. If you can defend that, be my guest. |
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Case Keenum, QB |
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| 21/31 270 YARDS, 2 INTS |
Keenum said if he was only a few inches taller, he would've had multiple scholarship offers in college and likely would have been drafted. Of course it had nothing to do with the fact that he simply isn't talented enough to be an NFL QB. The interceptions, overthrows, lack of pocket unawareness...these are not new things. The Rams win because Keenum plays just enough over replacement level to not screw up. The Rams lose when Keenum plays just below replacement level and it costs them the game. Today, it was the latter. |
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Tavon Austin, WR
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7 REC, 59 YDS 3 ATT, 26 YDS |
Austin finally was involved in the passing game, meaning Keenum has finally realized Tavon Austin isn't 6'4". Serious question - if Tavon Austin can pick up 7-8 yards easily running right up the middle, why can't Todd Gurley? |
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Greg Zuerlein, K
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| 4/4 FG, 54 LNG, 1/1 XP |
Zuerlein had a shaky 2015. He's been perfect 5 weeks into 2016. It's time he's had his due. |
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Alec Ogletree, MLB
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5 TKL (1 AST) |
Ogletree clearly is still learning the middle linebacker position. He's been wildly over pursuing, and hasn't been able to accept that as the middle linebacker, his job is to clog holes. It's a position he's not suited for given his athletic abilities, but hey, Fisherball./ |
Assorted Thoughts
- Just how bad is Jared Goff that he can’t beat out Case Keenum? Can he not learn a playbook? Is he that bad at the center-QB exchange that he can’t start? And if so, why the hell did the Rams draft someone who fit so poorly into their offensive plan?
- The Rams are figuring out the hard way what happens when you think linebackers have become irrelevant.
- Special teams has played to perfection so far this year.
- The Rams continued their culture change against the Bills with 6 penalties for 40 yards. They are the most penalized team in the NFL since 2012.