In what has been a frustrating season all around, last night’s loss against the 49ers officially eliminated the Los Angeles Rams from the playoffs. What makes it an even tougher pill to swallow is that the Rams actually showed up to play, and put up a good fight against the Super Bowl-hopeful 49ers.
After last week’s embarrassing loss to the Cowboys, I really thought the Rams season was over. I thought that they had officially given up, and there was no way they’d be able to make a playoff run. That was until I saw NFL Network’s graphic before last night’s game showing that if the Rams beat the 49ers and Cardinals, and the Vikings lost their last two games, they’d make the playoffs. Brought me 100% back not gonna lie. Especially after the 49ers lost to the Falcons last week, I totally thought there was a chance the Rams could beat them.
Then the Rams started off HOT on offense, and I thought they had that game in the bag.
FAST START, FELLAS!@JaredGoff16 ➡️@brandincooks pic.twitter.com/WXCnnTWpE4
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2019
.@TG3II is the first player in Rams history with 13+ touchdowns in three straight seasons! pic.twitter.com/MHpNNbUEza
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2019
Goff and Gurley were on their A-game, and it was really up to the defense as to whether or not they would win this game. But of course with Jimmy G and the rest of the 49ers’ high-flying offense, that was going to be a tough task. For the most part, they kept San Francisco’s offense at bay, even sacking Garoppolo SIX times.
💪🦊💪@AyyyeeeMoFox with the sack! pic.twitter.com/oNkYErRCwO
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2019
You’ve gotta love seeing that pretty boy Jimmy G taste the grass.
But like I was saying, ultimately the Rams defense just couldn’t do enough to keep the 49ers from scoring. The Rams held a four-point lead with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, that is , until this:
STONE ❄️ COLD ❄️ KITTLE ❄️ TOUCHDOWN#GoNiners | #BeatLA pic.twitter.com/xWfV2oP7Lc
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 22, 2019
Look, I respect Kittle, I really do. But he looks like a redneck straight out of the backwoods of Kentucky. I realize you should never judge a book by its cover, but I just don’t like that guy. He looks like a guy that would scalp your house cat and wear the fur as a hat. He looks like he’s carrying all the venereal diseases. All of ’em. If I had a daughter, and she brought home this guy, I’d question where I went wrong as a father. Now, if a guy like Kittle is on your team, you love him because he’s a crazy person, but if he’s an opponent, he’s no doubt the most hatable guy on the field. Tell me I’m wrong…
*As an avid PMT listener, I realize he’s a great guy off the field, but I can’t stand him on it*
Back on topic.
Following Kittle’s TD, the 49ers take a 31-28 lead with six minutes left in the game. The Rams make it interesting with a field goal with 2:30 left in the game, but after the 49ers get the ball back, they stomp down field mostly because of this absurd blown coverage by Taylor Rapp:
HUGE GAIN. @JimmyG_10 goes deep to @ESanders_10 for 46 yards! #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/fvBAWPPRQM
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 22, 2019
Then they nailed a walk-off field goal, and that was that. Playoff hopes dead.
But where do they go from here?
I still have full confidence in Sean McVay…he has to be one of the hardest working head coaches in the NFL, and he knows the game inside and out. And don’t forget that they won the NFC last year. But with a defense that consists of Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald, they can’t be ranked 15th in the NFL in scoring, ninth in pass defense, 23rd in run defense, 16th in third down efficiency and 29th in red zone efficiency.
According to a report by CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo, the Rams are considering a change in Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips, which I really do like. With the stars that headline that defense, they can’t be that mediocre.
The same report discussed the possibility that the Rams part ways with either Aaron Donald or Todd Gurley, which will no doubt yield a lot in return. I would be heated if Donald were to be traded, which is honestly a ridiculous thought in the first place. Donald is the best defensive player in the league, and the Rams should be focused on building around him, not rebuilding. That would be a good move if he were on the Dolphins or Giants, who need to build up their entire team. But the Rams, despite a down season, are already a good team, and are so reaching the playoffs again.
Trading Gurley on the other hand, is an intriguing thought. I love homegrown guys, but parting ways with Gurley might be the best thing for the Rams offense. He is in the middle of a 4-year $60 million contract, and his declining productivity (2019 was the worst season of his career) makes him an attractive trade piece. He’s still a top-tier running back, and would be an attractive player for teams looking for a premium back.
I still think Donald and Gurley will stay, but I do see McVay making some significant changes with the coaching staff. Either way, it is going to be an eventful offseason, as they prepare to make their debut in SoFi Stadium next year. The Rams front office will do everything they can to get them to the playoffs in their inaugural season in that football palace.
I can’t wait to see this beauty in its finished state
Comments are closed.