L.A. Rams: The Road Ahead...

How does a true genius actually come up with those brilliant thoughts that change the way we all think and live? Well, thanks for asking! I'm the resident genius here at Turf Show Times. The entire staff voted, and I won by a single vote (Yes, Brandon, I'll send you a check next week...). It seems everyone voted for themselves, so 2 votes sealed the deal!

Um, OK... I voted for myself. Yet, after you read my win/loss prognostications for the 2016 L.A. Rams, my bona fides will be secured. I'll be right up there with that Isaac Newton guy, who figured out how gravity works by throwing apples at peoples' heads. You see, I'm a deep thinker. It's my lot in life to suss out the real gem ideas, then get them written down before I forget... Now, what was I saying?

Ah! The L.A. Rams are about to take the first of 16 steps down the NFL's version of the yellow brick road. (Interesting side note: Brandon Bate looks remarkably like cross between a Munchkin, and a Flying Monkey... I'm just sayin'...) Each twist and turn along the way will have Rams fans cheering, or gnashing their teeth. It's the way of the NFL world, so finding a good dental plan may not be something you want to put off for long? Have a look  at my thoughts for the Rams this season, then just TRY to deny my brilliance... OK, don't really try, because that would be mean!

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L.A @ S.F - Win: 17-16 - This one is all about Todd Gurley and Carlos Hyde. I think Hyde out gains Gurley in this one, but a middling secondary for the 49ers looms large...

SEA @ L.A. - Loss: 19-24 - In front of a sell out crowd in L.A., the Rams lose to Pete Carroll's return to the place he called home when he coached USC. It's going to be an ugly, hard fought game...

L.A. @ Tampa - Win: 27-17 - Jameis Winston finds out what it's like to face a Rams pass rush. L.A. has 6 sacks, and sends Winston to the showers by the end of the 2nd quarter. Mike Glennon steps in and eats some turf of his own, but throws two scores along the way. Todd Gurley hits the highlight reels, breaking off 150+ rushing yards. Tavon Austin returns a punt for a touchdown, and it doesn't get called back...

L.A. @ Arizona - Win: 31-24 - You know how this one goes, right? AZ starts of the year with a 3 game win streak, and the Rams bring it suddenly to an end. It's Deja vu all over again...

Buffalo @ L.A. - Win: 24-13 - Shady McCoy is out with a hamstring right around this time of year, and a shaky Bills O-line can't hold back a swarming tide of Rams. Tyrrod Taylor leads both teams in rushing, but it's not enough.

L.A. @ Detroit - Win: 24-21 - Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn are threatened with arrest after mugging Matt Stafford all afternoon. 5+ sacks later, and 3 INTs (1, a pick 6!), the Rams defense win this one.

Giants @ L.A. (London) - Loss: 33-10 - Don't you just hate owners who revel in their teams playing across the pond? Young teams don't travel well this far away from home, and the Rams bugger this one big time...

Bye Week

Carolina @ L.A. - Win: 20-18 - The "5 n' 2" Rams team returns home to face the Panthers. The Media has begun to "like" the Rams, but they all predict a Carolina win. But the "sixth man" for L.A. (the smog, not the crowd... Yeah, I know I'll get e-mails, but a wheezy Cam Newton is worth it! The Rams offense stuns a tough Panthers defense...

L.A. @ Jets - Loss: 27-19 - I don't know what it is about the Jets, especially when they play a Rams team that should beat them? But things like the Bermuda Triangle, Marfa Lights, and the coming fad of "Puppies singing karaoke" videos are mysteries that will forever be... Brandon Marshall puts on a show, and score 3 times... Todd Gurley is fined for watching those "puppy" videos I mentioned on the side lines...

Miami @ L.A. - Win: 38-31 - In an ugly, high scoring game, Ryan Tannehill passes 50+ times, completing less than half. But it's enough to drive the score skyward as weaknesses in the Rams secondary are bared for the world to see. Todd Gurley hits the 200 combined yards mark, and sealed the deal...

L.A. at New Orleans - Win: 28-13 - A slathering Saints team has been sinking fast over the first half of the season. Their defense is more Matador than anything else. Todd Gurley starts to get mentions as Offensive Player of the Year as he scorches the Saints for two scores and 150+ combined yards...

L.A. at New England - Loss: 42-24 - Tom Brady shows why he's destined for the Hall of Fame. He shreds the Rams' secondary for 400+ yards, and makes it look easier than it should be. Head coach Jeff Fisher promises to fix things, but he feels sweat rolling down his back as he says it...

Atlanta @ L.A. - Win: 31-28 - The last place - in the NFC South - Falcons are struggling on defense. But their offense feeds off of what they learned from Bill Belichick's Patriots when they tore through the Rams secondary. Julio Jones misses 200 receiving yards by a whisper. A guy named "Higbee" saved the day for the Rams in the final minute of the game...

L.A. @ Seattle - Loss: 30-17 - The Seahawks are in a fight for their playoff lives. The Rams arrive in a loud, rainy place, and leave with their egos soaked. Russell Wilson carries his team, and Todd Gurley has his first under-50 yards rushing of the year. A hurt Case Keenum goes on "IR", and in steps Jared Goff in the worst possible situation. He throws 2 INTs in his first three series. But Jeff Fisher knows he has little choice...

San Francisco @ L.A. - Win: 23-17 - It's a two game home stand to end the season for the Rams. The 49ers are so banged up they can't really do much, but a Rams rookie quarterback finding his way helps. Never the less, it's a confidence builder for Jared Goff. He'll need it...

Arizona @ L.A. - Loss: 28-27 - Battered and bludgeoned, the Rams are riding high as they enter the 17th week of the 2016 NFL season. They're 10-5, and a wildcard playoff spot is within their grasp. The 11-4 Cardinals need this one to keep home field advantage throughout the playoffs. But this game is to be fought on a level the young Rams aren't prepared for, yet they fight until the final gun...

*** For the season, the L.A. Rams finish 10-6 in the win/loss column. Todd Gurley tops 1500+ rushing yards, and narrowly misses out on OPOY honors - to a quarterback... Tavon Austin barely misses 1000 receiving yards (998), but leads the league in punt return yardage. The Rams offense climbs out of the bottom 20 in the NFL, and for the first time in more than a decade, they make the playoffs as a wildcard team. They make it past the first round, beating the Carolina Panthers in overtime. But a trip to the icy cold of Green Bay takes its toll the following week... - DouglasM