November 19, 2025 • 37 mins
Camryn Irwin sits down with the *Between the Horns* crew to discuss the Los Angeles Rams' Week 12 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the healthy competition in the running back room that has produced more explosive runs from Kyren Williams, and key takeaways from the offense's performance against the Seattle Seahawks.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Welcome to Between the Horns, presented by your Southern California
Toyo de Dealers. Joining with some good friends.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Now we got JV.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Long and the house to Marco far I'm Cameron Irwin
as we get set for yet another matchup this week
at Sunday Night Football.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
You guys ready for some primetime.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Oh my god, yes, yes, I cannot wait. This is
going to be fun. It's going to be loud again.
I like football at night, how about you? I like
the lights.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
No, I get people who are upset that last week's
game was not featured, right, was not a primetime game.
But I like the way the schedule has built because
I think human nature is to exhale after taking out
San Francisco and Santa Clara and then taking control of
the division in first place against the Seattle Seahawks. But
when you get primetime, you get Sunday Night Football, you
get Baker in the bucks. This is easy to rally
(00:50):
for and try and extend this winning street.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
You want to win, and like you said, if you
want to showcase yourself as the best at your position,
Sunday Night Football, you can do a lot worse. Right,
that's where you want to go.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Well, we were looking at this stretch on the Rams
season thinking, man, this is going to be a gauntlet
and this is now the third game in a row
where you're going this is a tough opponent. I know
they have back to back losses. However, they face the
Bills and it was a tough contest just until those
last and final minutes did the Bills really create some separation.
So we'll look ahead, of course, as we prepare for
the Bucks. But let's look back as the Rams are
(01:20):
now sitting at eight and two atop the NFC West.
It's five straight for LA over a big time opponent
in the division in Seattle. The only division right now
with three teams with seven plus wins is the NFC West.
We're playing with some of the top teams in the league.
My question to you, though, is what do you want
to find out about this Rams team as we only
(01:42):
have seven games remaining in the regular season right now?
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Who's healthy? I guess that's the first thing, which guys
are going to be out there. I think that game
it tested the medal of this football team and it
showed that they will find ways to win and they're
not going to break I mean that is a great
coaching job by all involved. When you have a culture
like that that no matter what style the game being played,
(02:06):
you have a chance to come out on top and
you can adjust on the fly. Seattle gave you everything
they had, they really did. They hit you with haymaker
after haymaker and you stood in there and you came
out with a win. It was tough. You defended two points.
You had to make it happen they missed a field goal.
But to be in that game to you've seen it,
We've been through so many games together. That was about
(02:27):
as physical a game as we've ever seen. You know,
that's one that could have gone the other way based
on two or three plays, and you kept making them
over and over and over again. So this team has
a deep just intestinal fortitude. Can I say that on TV?
They do? I mean, they will go down and dirty
to get any win that's necessary. So to me, there's
(02:50):
nothing left to be learned on that front. It's just
who's healthy from here on it.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Look at the way they celebrated it. Yeah, can you
watch that postgame celebration? What did it teach you that?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Look? I think that Shawn he's given himself a break.
It doesn't matter how you win, just get the w
You know, that's the different Sean McVay than we're used to.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Yeah, yeah, I'm with you. What I need to know
in these last couple of months what seed the Rams
are going to be? And I think we knew that
after a month or two this was a playoff roster.
Now that we've seen them beat two division rivals, I
think mathematically it's safe to say this is going to
be a playoff team. I think they're going to find
their way to at least two or three more wins
(03:28):
and get in the field. But for all the wonderful
things that the Rams have done in nine plus years
of Sean mcvay's leadership, the one thing they haven't done
is earned the number one overall seed. And that's what
they're playing for right now.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Now.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
There's no way to number one seed if you don't
win the West, and so those goals go hand in hand,
and there's still tons of work to be done in
that regard. But what are these lasts what do you say?
Seven games? Yeah, left to decide which roster and how
healthy a roster can you get into January? And then
what's your path to the ultimate goal, because I think
that's the right the Rams have earn earned and how
(04:00):
do they handle success and manage success and continue to
take on playoff caliber opponents when you look at this
window of time, and we'll get to Carolina when the
time comes. But Carolina could be a playoff team as well.
But San Francisco that's like a wildcard caliber win, Seattle
that's a Divisional round caliber win. Tampa Bay could very
(04:22):
well be an NFC championship type of matchups. So you
continue to prove your worth against these teams. I think
that only means good things and hopefully it'll eventually translate
into a week off come the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Well, you mentioned McVeigh post game, and I actually took
some of the quotes because I thought he summarized that
matchup and especially the defensive performance. He called it just
resiliency from the defense and also said what a blessing
for the offense to get a chance to learn from
this one. So my question to you is what can
they learn from this one from the offensive side of
the ball.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
I punch it in when you have a chance to.
We talked about this earlier, David I mean, look, there's
to be they get paid. Two. We heard this before,
and that defense from Seattle is as good as advertised.
The one thing that you could circle and say, wow,
this right here. You have a chance to ice the
game with two twenty three to go, and you have
to give it back to them and have your defense
(05:16):
go out and make a stop. That's awesome. I think
that's what he meant. Your offense has a chance to
learn through this. You get the w your defense tood Tall.
I thought that was awesome. I think the job they're
doing on that side of the ball is exemplary. The
secondary came up so big, and I know we were
knocking on Sam Darnold and you know everybody does, and
you should after a four pick game, But give that
(05:36):
secondary credit for being prepared, being ready, and being where
they should be. There were some great plays that first
pick by cam Kinchins.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
What a read.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
That is an all pro read. You can go from
one hash to the other and sneak up on a
quarterback that's staring down a receiver. Tremendous and then you
almost returned it to the end zone. Oh that reminds
me of one thing. If you are going to do
like celebrations. Do it on your sideline, Remember the big guys,
you caught it over there. Stay over there. Your family's there.
Why go to the other side. Make them dudes have
(06:05):
to run an extra hundred yards.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
He felt a little left behind there by attendant.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Just stay in the corner. What's the big deal about
that corner over there? But I mean, look, that secondary
played so well. That defense is playing lights out. Like
you said, it was a tremendous back and forth game.
So I understood what he said. Thank goodness, we got
the win. Great job defense, But offense, we have to
be better.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
I think the Rams are going to have to beat
the Seahawks twice more, and hopefully the third of those
games are going to be back at SOFI Stadium. But
in terms of the rematch coming next month, I think
of all the phases, the Rams offense has the most
left on the play sheet in terms of I think
both defensive coordinators put a great game plan together. I
think those were the best defenses that both of these
(06:46):
offenses have faced. And you could sense just how much
these rosters were built to beat each other from Seattle standpoint,
especially defensively. So there's no shame in scoring a small
handful of touchdowns and getting four picks and getting out
of there with a victory, holding serve at home. But
when they go back to Seattle, I think Sean McVay
and Mike Lafleur they have more left in their game
(07:07):
plan that never saw the light of day because of
the way that game was played, because of the short
fields they were gifted by their defense, because of the
long stretches of time where they didn't even have the football.
Whereas I think in terms of the game of poker,
you know, Donald and Kubiak and the Seahawks put a
lot more of what they're capable of and what they
(07:28):
have to do to succeed out there on film, and
the Rams had good answers for it, and there will
be counter moves. Don't get me wrong, like the game
Thursday Night Football in December could look completely different. I
expect it to look completely different than that one. But
I think what we saw is that the Rams have
more avenues to victory. They have more margin for air
because of the way they're playing, thankfully now in all
(07:49):
three phases. And there's a reason why that they got
the NFC Special Teams Player of the week because the
punt of the year, Oh my god, happened right in
front of our very eyes.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
It's ugly, the punts, the end over end stuff I
will never get used to. But man, does it have
bite when it hits you know. I mean, I don't
know that many guys that can punt the football that
way and that or that strong that.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Can do they not have walked that thing down there
and said you start right there than he did.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
See they called it a hole in one, and I
was like, that sounds about.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Yes, it's in a lifetime golf shot for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Coming out of this one, my initial thought was so
much of the conversation was this is going to be
a chess match between the Rams and Seattle and picking
up the win. I was going, I'm not even sure
if this is even check against Seattle. I think it's
going to be check maybe the next time, and maybe
even checkmate when it really matters the most.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
It was a cage fight, That's what that was.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
But here's the thing too, is Harry Potter style, right, you.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Know, like I think the Rams have the best piece
on the board, and if there's a big bold takeaway
from that game, it's that the Rams still have the
best quarterback in the building and in the NFC. I
know it wasn't his most prolific game, but Matthew Stafford
did enough of the right things to guide his team
to victory. And look, I had all the admiration and
(09:07):
respect for Seattle going into that game. I think the
offseason moves that they made were bold. We're daring, We're criticized,
but they were right. They were right. The doubt that
I have is is Sam Darnold the quarterback who can
get you to the ultimate prize? And that remains to
be seen. He's certainly capable of playing a better game
than he did. But if you're looking at the difference
(09:29):
between these two teams running long term, we know Matthew
Stafford can get you all the way home? Can Sam Darnald.
If you're the Seahawks, I think you have to know
that your path to a championship is through Los Angeles.
But could them could you fault them for preferring to
go around Yes, yeah, right, without question because of the
last three games that they played against Arnald.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Without question.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
The Rams now with their best start since twenty eighteen,
which has now garnered some major attention. It felt like
only a few weeks ago, tom Bray it didn't even
have the Rams in his top ten in terms of
power rankings. Now for Tom Brady, but now for the
six have the Rams up at the number one spot.
I guess to Marco for you, how do you go
about per se ignoring the noise versus actually letting that
(10:15):
garner even more confidence.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
I hate it from outside the building when you have
to when people are saying this is the best team
in football, because it sets you up for failure because
you got to go play Sunday night ball against Tampa,
who's a good football team. So you're number one, you're
number one, you're number one, you lose, Aye, you stink,
you know what I mean. That's how that goes. But
inside the building, I don't think it matters. I think
they've always felt they're the best team in football. I
(10:39):
think every team that winsday Super Bowl or at least
is in contention feels the same way. So the fact
that people are patting you on the back, it's always good,
it's always fun. It's always good to be talked about
in a positive way. But it's just talk. It doesn't
matter you have to show up on game day. So
I try to avoid that talk as much as possible
on this side. I know it doesn't filter into the
locker room or into those meeting rooms. Here, there's a
(11:02):
lot of things they can show you to where if
we don't do this, if we don't have the punt
that we just talked about, that could be a loss.
So there's a lot of ways you could have lost
that game as much as there were ways to win it.
So it's nice to be talked about in the positive way,
but it's still just talk.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
I agree. I mean, you needed four takeaways to get
to the finish line there, But I think larger picture,
the Rams have played ten games and they put a
game plan and an effort and an execution out there
that was worthy of winning all of them. Now, they
lost two of them for a variety of reasons. But
if they can put seven more winning efforts together, this
thing is going to end up where it's supposed to
(11:38):
end up. And whether that's the one seed or not,
whether that's the NFC West champion or not. You get
this team in the fight. We know they're going to
be a tough out, and you give me McVeigh and
you give me Stafford and you give me Chris Shula
in an elimination format, and no matter who the opponent
is or where that game is played, I'm gonna feel
good about it. Now, we're getting to the point in
the season where your competitive depth is being tested, and
(11:58):
we find out today that it's not just Quinton Lake
going on injured reserve, but it's Tyler Higbee going on
injured reserve, it's Rob Hanstein going on injured reserve. So
you know, those corners of your roster that you've been
bolstering behind the scenes and you've been developing for weeks
and for days at a time, it's their time to shine.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Yeah, shout out to Warren McClendon, who has turned the
corner of those reps early in the season when he
got the start. That's only gonna help so and those
tight ends. You know, we haven't talked enough about Kolbe
Parkinson and the job he's done. That time where he
scored his body and scored That might have been the
best play I've seen as a RAM besides the one
where he caught it in the corner of the end zone.
He leaned back. He's as tall as the giraffe. But
(12:40):
how you had the presence of mine to know in
that situation with that safety coming, he's coming low, let
me catch square the football, deal with that, get into
the end zone. I thought that was huge.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
So against his former team, against his former.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Teams' revenge game, without question.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
So I think you're prepared to I guess being next
man up mode, even with Q Lake with as important
as he is to the defense, because you can call
so much of the defense through him, because he can
do so much, I think you can manufacture that with
different people. This staff, this group, they're all ready for it.
Even they said it right after the game. It's everybody
(13:15):
here is ready for their ops. They're ready for their opportunity.
So you'd rather have him in there. But I don't
think you miss a beat. I think you just have
different people doing different jobs this week for that defense.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Colby Parkinson most improved ram you.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Know, Look, I think so from the stuff that he's
doing and the hits that he's taken, the collisions that
he is willing to go into now, completely different guy
from last year. So I would say absolutely, let's say him.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
Emmanuel Forbes, Yeah, probably the two that come to mind.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
If he were here all. Yes, absolutely he is. I
think he's reaching his potential Forbes. This is why he
was drafted so high. The stuff that he can do
is like wow. But Colby Parkinson, the way he's accepted
that role of what the tight ends are. We have
got to be physical on the perimeter. This is why
we're calling this play. He's not diving for the sideline,
(14:00):
he's running through contact.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
I think that is awesome, big opportunity for McLendon. I mean,
I think he proved he is a starting tackle in
this league. And now he's had a couple of weeks
off to reset right, probably to digest his own pros
and cons to watch Rob go to work. I'm excited
for him to jump back in. I think this offense
can actually continue to accelerate with him at right tackle.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
You know what it looks like to me now, And
it's funny when you see these guys go from drafted
rookie year whatever to the next level. He looks like
a starter now. He carries himself like a starter. Where
he stands, how he goes about his business when there's
information being passed around the sideline, where he stands in
relation to that he is in tune. He's seems like
a starter.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
Now, you know, the best thing for war McClendon is
seventy thousand plus rams fans in attendance at Sofi Stadium
this sun and night. What could help him more than that?
Oh yeah, yeah, Well play in a library on offense, yeah,
let him operate, yes, sir. But in terms of Quentin Lake,
I mean, he's the Jenga piece on defense, right, He's
the one that makes so much else possible. And I
(14:59):
think the bike can the approach makes sense. We saw
a lot of Josh Wallace, like twenty seven, twenty nine
snaps something like that. This is why you get Roger
McCreery and kind of a subtle pre trade deadline deal
for depth. Kobe Durant can play inside on probably some
of the more known passing downs and distances. But who's
(15:19):
going to continue to match and fit the run down
in and down out the way that Quinton Lake does,
and run with tight ends up the scene the way
that Quinton Lake does.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
The way he plays. You can equate it just with
one guy, but you can do it by play calling.
So I think that's the thing about this staff and
the secondary. The way they play, they can get people
ready to play in a short amount of time, and
there's always ways to cover up for a guy you're missing.
In Q Lake, you can become ultra aggressive, which is
what Chris Shula wants to be anyway, So if you
(15:48):
don't have the guys to cover, you can always send
more bodies towards Baker Mayfield and get after him that way,
which is what affected Sam Donald the most anyway, moving
him around, making him feel unsafe. He threw it to
you a few.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Times about to say, you transitioned right into Shula, and
that's where I wanted to go next, because some of
the defensive adjustments that he made, particularly even into the
second half were really solid. You think about just Seattle,
you know, based more on a volume run game, they're
looking to throw the ball deep over the head, but
you look back at some of the explosives, they really
only had about one and a half on the ground
in terms of explosive plays about three in the air.
(16:20):
What adjustments did you really see from Shula?
Speaker 4 (16:24):
H pass.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Pass on the question or.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
We're not going to mention his name on the show?
Speaker 2 (16:34):
No, okay, I guess we're a defensive coordinator. He doesn't
want to talk about him anymore. And I don't blame
I think the secret is out.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
You can't hide. You're not going to keep him out
of the interview.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
I think the secret is out. He is doing a
fantastic job. They are doing a fantastic job. I thought
Seattle's game plan was very good.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
It took the Rams into the deep wall and you
tried to wear them out. And I thought Jackson Smith
and jigbut was as good or better than advertised. When
they replay a one handed catch in somebody else's house,
you know that catch is primo stuff. So I thought
the game plan, the adjustments, it may not have been schematic.
It could have just been a little motivational and to
(17:20):
keep guys together and in tune. I thought it was fantastic.
You outlasted a team that was trying to knock you
into the oblition.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
So we kind of previewed it by saying, whoever can
live in and thrive in sub packages the longest in
that game is probably gonna win that game. And the
Rams willingness and ability to play with extra safeties and
defensive backs on the field and still not give up
the explosives in the running game be able to get
the football back. I mean that was the difference because
Seattle again perfectly built to thwart where the Rams have
(17:51):
gone offensively, which is why you see the Rams go, oh okay,
they got this thirteen personnel covered. They've done their homework.
Let's go pivot and let's go try and find a
way to get enough points and enough first downs to
win this thing. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Every time Walker touched the ball in the third and
fourth quarter, I held my breath and they kept coming
up with stop after stop. They He had some runs,
but they didn't allow the big one.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
You know what, though, I think Seahawks fans felt that
way whenever Kyraen Williams got a touching thank.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
You Lord, yes, sir, way to go, Kyron. I to me,
that was the best he's played. When you talk about
getting to the unblocked guy and dealing with him and
not letting that stop your progress from going down the field,
and then having those defenders react to you. Yeah, that
was the best he's played in a long time in
my opinion.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
He had two runs for over thirty yards, and actually
that's the first time a running back has had two
plus thirty plus or excuse me, two thirty plus yards
in the same game in the Mike Bay era. No
oh yeah, yeah, no, it's shocking.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I know it's shocking.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Let me go back and look, because that doesn't seem right.
It seemed like Gurley broke every other player. Is that
just our memory?
Speaker 2 (18:56):
It might be.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
I'm just I'm happy to see Kyen where he is,
not just in terms of it explosions, but now cemented
in the RAMS career top ten for rushing for someone
who grew up a RAMS fan idolizing Steven Jackson, like,
that's just cool, and he's still got thousands of yards
left in him, which is great.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Do you think the share changes at all just considering
the performance he puts on?
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Surprised among our listeners are fan base like how much
of a buzzworthy topic that was? Because I think Kyen
has benefited from not just the competitive push of Blake Orm,
but the reduced snap count. And I think a lot
of our audience that's been begging for more Korm because
he too has been explosive, is now being counterbalanced by saying,
(19:35):
wait a second, you had a hot hand. Why take
opportunities away from Williams. These sound like Champagne problems. Right.
If you've got a ball, secure, explosive Kyrine Williams, who
you want to give more handoffs and more snaps to,
that's a much better place to be than where we
were a month, six weeks.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
When we when the Saints were here. One of my
old coaches, defensive coordinator, was on that staff, and he
told me something I'd never even thought of. All the
guys that backed me up became starters.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
All the guys that backed you up in the league
became starters. Yes, you must have been good.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
But that was the push, that was the competition. These
guys are good behind me. I'm not giving up that job.
We talked about this competition will bring the best out
of you. I think you just saw that with Kyron.
He's proving that. I think Blake Korn was making a
real challenge for that job and you had to step
it up to keep him off your neck. Either way,
(20:28):
it's good for us and good for the offense the
balls moving down the field. But I think it brought
the best out of Kyron, and I'm with you. I
think there's more there.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
That was an epic humble brag value. That was what
for someone who's never touted his own playing career, that
was nail.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
I never even thought he said it. Yeah, no idea. Yeah,
one of them's on that coaching staff. That's that's why
he brought it up.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Yeah, well, guys, we do need to adjust just Stafford's
performance in this one, obviously picking up the win and
getting the touchdowns when we needed them. However, it was interesting.
I looked at some of the just total time throw
and it was the second fastest Stafford has had all.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Season long, only to Houston. It was two point four six.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Oh get it.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
And we talked about the Seattle front. But how different
of a matchup could this have been for Stafford? Was
it on him or was it more so on the
Seattle front.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
I'm going to give the front credit. I thought the
edges were good. I thought that we were talking about
Bairn Murphy. Yeah he's gonna be a problem for a while. Yeah,
he's not going away. They got some pressure on Stafford.
He had to get rid of it. And the secondary.
I thought they had a great game plan. I thought
they game planned some stuff and took away some quick reads.
And I thought if Matthew Stafford was a lesser quarterback.
(21:38):
You could have rushed it, you could have gave up sacks,
you could have threw the ball to them, just like
Sam Darnold. So some days it's going to be tough
sledding and you have to, you know, find a way
to make chicken soup out of you know what. And
I think that's exactly what he did. So the numbers
don't bear it out, but I thought he played a
tough football game against the very tough defense that was
bringing it on him.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
I mean, he's been on the ultimate heater, so there
was gonna be some regressions somewhere along the line here.
I'm glad that regression looks like it looks in a
win against maybe the best defense in the league right
now with no turnovers. He'll tell you he should have
made that first throw, I think to Higbee, Yeah, and
the red zone, and look if I still don't know
why that challenge was not successful, but if they give
(22:19):
Kyron that first down, if Matthew hits Higbee, you know,
we could be looking at an entirely different game script
and a much different box score for Matthew Stafford. But
what I love about again, to go back to the
postgame celebration, is Davante is cussing and venting because he
got what seven or eight targets and only one catch
and it was a touchdown and it was a big one.
But like he's less than one hundred percent, you didn't
(22:41):
feel him as much as you have been lately. Matthew
Stafford was sped up like the clock that you just
give evidence to. But he's at a different point. Sean
McVay is at a different point in their career arc
where you can win through that imperfection because you're a
more complete team. Now, you're a more patient team. You're
more patient staff and offense, and I think that bodes
(23:03):
really well. You're not going to be able to put
up five touchdowns per game every time out in this league.
It's too good, especially against a team like that. But
that's not going to hinder his MVP case at all.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
If you can, if you get the right first down call.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
I'm just saying, no, that's it too, and not just
that first down call. Yeah it is, but then on
first and ten or first and goal, yeah, right, So
what you're saying is true. But I also the other
thing I meant to say is look at the rams
lack of success on first down. The secret sauce offensively
this year has been being on or ahead of schedule,
(23:37):
almost showing exclusively like they've had so few negative down
and distances, and then you run into this wall that
is the Seattle defense, and all of a sudden you're
living in second and ten or third and behind the chains,
and guess what, against any defense, but especially that defense,
your numbers are going to plummet if you're in those
sorts of circumstances.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
And it was interesting too looking at just the third down,
struggling on that and finding some fourth down opportunities. The
Rams actually converted on two of three. I'm curious though,
from a mindset, is it more an approach and aggressive
mindset by the Rams, or is it more a function
of how the NFL is now being played, as they've
gone for it more on fourth down I think eighteen
total times this season.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
It's the fact that they haven't made a field goal
since Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Yeah, in primary, we haven't even kicked a field goal
in the last two games.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
There might be some a little more aggression. I don't
know what the I think we're more with the numbers.
Now the analytics say go for it more, and teams
kind of lean on.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
That that field goals aren't worth it.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
But yeah, but I think with this football team and
the kicking game the way it was, you're still in
a touchy feely mode. Then if you have a chance,
would you rather go with a risky prospect of kicking
it or go with putting the ball in nine hands?
I would rather go that way with matthew Stown.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
I think it's in all of the above type of
thing what you just said. Plus you've got a championship
caliber defense who can cover up any failures on fourth down.
So I love the fact that not only has Sean
Vay come to see the light and in terms of
the analytic argument, but that even when it falls short,
and I mean you fail on your first fourth down
(25:06):
and then you get in a goal line situation, you
get stuffed that you're willing to go for it again
on fourth down and spread them out and shotgun hand off.
You talk about a tendency break there. What are you
supposed to do defensively, now, DeMarco, if you've got Davante
Adams who can hit the fade, who can hit the slant.
You got Pooka unlocking the red zone. You've thrown touchdowns
to your tight ends the last few weeks, and now
(25:26):
that you can just swing the sledgehammer of Kyron Williams again.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
You know this is funny, This is great. This is
how you know when a DCE is on his heels.
If I had that situation with that on tape. Now
that they can run it or throw it out to DeVante,
I'm just going to have to pressure you and hope
I get there, make him throw it faster than he wants.
Maybe I'll get a tip ball or something.
Speaker 4 (25:45):
Well, that's where a lot of these blitz stats that
you've seen percolating, Like Stafford's been eviscerating the blitz, and
it's true a lot of that is like short field
red zone where the defensive coordinators like, we've only got
this much real estate to anyone who's not occupying a receiver,
hit it. I'll get them here. Yeah, but he's got
the answers to the test.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Yeah, I mean I thought that was huge. It was
a big call. I think you even asked, like, what
would you call here? I said, they stuffed you twice.
Go ahead and throw it, And I'm glad Seattle was
thinking like me, because once they spread out that middle
open wide, it just opened wide open and there goes
Kyron for the touchdown.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Party in the red seat. Yes, all right, guys, you're
ready to look a little bit more ahead towards the Bucks. Yeah,
all right, top of NFC NFC South facing off now
against the top of the NFC West. However, it feels
like these two teams, if you look at their records
or even recent history, you might be thinking they would
be trending in opposite directions. However, the Bucks have more
one score games than it feels like the rest of
(26:39):
the league, winning four of six one score games throughout
their time. They started off five and one, rams down
a five game win streak. So when you look at
this one on the defensive side of the ball, what
needs to be accomplished defensively?
Speaker 3 (26:54):
And look, I have all the respect in the world
for Baker Mayfield and what he can do. He is
the second coming of Fran Tarkenton type. Guys. The play
is never dead, you know what I mean. Even if
you defense it perfectly and you run the route for
the receivers, you still have to keep him corraled, which
is easier said than done, and they do a great
job of keeping you off balance with the running game. Now,
(27:15):
it hasn't been explosive, but it's something you have to respect.
It really does test you. So Baker's tough. I think
the thing about this defense is you have to recover
quickly from that sort of game. It was physical, it
was brutal, and then you have to get it going
again and dial that up to get after Baker Mayfield
because if you don't get pressure on him, he can
stand back there and sling it and wing it with
(27:37):
the best. So you're gonna have to bring the same
effort you brought on Sam Donald to Baker Mayfield. But
that's just half of it. He is a better quarterback
on the move than Sam Donald. So this will be
another stiff test for the defense.
Speaker 4 (27:49):
First of all, how cool is it that Baker's coming
back to so far under the lights of prime time?
Right he shouldn't even be allowed to prepare for this
game until Friday at the early. Let's see if he
can do it on who Sleeps Again? Man, that was
a special chapter in Rams history. I'm so glad for
his couple of months. Yeah, in Los Angeles, not as
glad as he is because it's earned him that tens
(28:10):
of millions.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
Of dollars, but also a newfound love for the game
of football too, which he's mentioned this week, which I
thought was pretty special his time here with.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
LA he was being bounced around for a while in
this room. Who doesn't root for Baker Mayfield. Everybody roots
for him. We all love Baker for what he did here.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
So we won't be rooting for month Sunday.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
But the only way you you you show him the
proper respect is to get after him, just like you
did Cooper Cup this weekend.
Speaker 4 (28:32):
But I think you preface the backdrop and the motivation appropriately.
In terms of the Rams are in a how do
we handle success mode? And the Buccaneers have lost to
I mean, two AFC contenders in consecutive weeks, right, so
they're in a little bit of back against the wall
like the presumed favorite in that division, and still the favorite,
I would argue, is suddenly feeling a little bit of pressures,
(28:53):
a little bit of pursuit from the Carolina Panthers, and
I think there leads down to a half a game,
so they come here. It reminds me a little bit
of the Miami Dolphins and the primetime matchup from last year.
Different stakes, but like Miami was at that point in
the season where it's now or never, Like, if we're
going to make a run at this thing, we got
to flip the switch. And Tampa Bay's got more margin
(29:13):
for air built in. But I think you should expect
a desperate game plan and group a bunch of Buccaneers.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Absolutely, when you said Carolina in the mix, that's wow,
unreal What a difference a year makes.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Yeah, I mean yeah, get ready for that challenge too.
By the way, post Thanksgiving.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
There are some question marks in terms of the Bucks
offense because they've been dealing with numerous injuries. But Irving
currently on the practice field this week, how could that
maybe shift the game plan against this offense.
Speaker 3 (29:40):
He's another guy like McCaffrey that could eat you up
both ways. He can run the football. He's not the
biggest dude in the world, but he's not afraid to
run inside. And he's a guy like we were talking
about with McCaffrey. Sometimes he's the primary and he'll kill
you that way, even if he's the dump off the
secondary option for Baker Mayfield. When he catches it, you
got problem again. So it's just another one of those issues,
(30:03):
the problems that comes out of the backfield, and he
could take it and be immediate with it. So he's
a guy you just can't get away from. Smith and
Jigba is a guy you can kind of get away
from by putting pressure on the quarterback. Once Irving gets it,
he's got it. Now you've got to go deal with him.
So that's how dangerous he can be. But I think
this defense has been up to the challenge no matter
who's carrying the rockets.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
I mean, the thing that I appreciate about Tampa Bay,
and this goes back to last season when they were
playing me and to Marco at tight end, basically, is
they've been able to put up points and manufacture offense
no matter their circumstances. They've been banged up at the
skill position players, they've been banged up up front and
getting healthier at certain spots amplifies the challenge for the
Rams this week. But this is a group that's shown
(30:43):
that they can get to thirty no matter what eleven
they're putting out there.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
So yeah, it was interesting because Sean Tucker actually out
a career day three touchdowns, two on the ground, one
through the air, and he could be a force to
be reckoned with. And again Chris Godwin also somewhat questionable.
He might be out there, may not.
Speaker 3 (30:59):
So ought you.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
We'll see I was gonna say. I was saying the
same thing. Guys.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
We have a really fun celebration taking place on Sunday night.
Of course it's Primetime, but it's also the Aaron.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
Donald Celebration game.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
So I'm telling you Rams fans, the first sixty thousand
fans into SOFI, you are picking up an eighty bobblehead
and the goat bobblehead.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
You know you want one of those?
Speaker 3 (31:21):
Of course? I do you know what I would do
when he comes out for that, I just would just
put a set of pads off to the side.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
It's a good call.
Speaker 3 (31:28):
Helmet and shoulder pads. Just have him ready, just in case,
just in case, just in case. You never know.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
I know you like the life size Aaron Donald or.
Speaker 4 (31:35):
I guest seventy fiftninety nine, get a bottlehead, but I'm
getting mine first, So absolutely I like that this is
somehow tied into Baker's visit to SOFI because that twenty
two season was such a grind and it hurts so badly,
But I'm just like I said, I was thankful for
Baker's time and the way he helped flip the emotional
(31:57):
energy of that season. You know, by that point in
the year, Aaron was done for twenty two, but the
fact that he didn't ride off to the end of
the sunset from the parade stage in twenty one will
always mean so much to me. One because I wasn't
ready to say goodbye, and I know many of us
still are not ready to say goodbye. But there had
(32:18):
to be times that fall in twenty two where he
was like, what was I thinking? How do they convince me?
I know they convinced him with a paycheck, but how
do they convince me to come back and keep doing
this right? And not only did he endure that season,
but he came back again in twenty three. And there's
no way in my estimation that the Rams accomplish anything
in twenty three. Certainly are not where they were in
(32:39):
twenty four and again here in twenty five if Aaron
didn't tack on those last two seasons. So yes, He's
going to be forever remembered for what he did against
San Francisco in that NFC Championship game, what he did
against the Bengals in the Super Bowl, the three Defensive
Player of the Year honors that he won. But in
my everlasting memory twenty two and twenty three three and
(33:00):
then being able to willing to walk away when you
had the team back on the upslope like that, to me,
is you still feel his legacy around here, You still
feel his standard in that room, on this defense, in
this facility, Which might have been true if he walked
away after the confetti fell, But I think is all
the more rich and enjoyable because of those two additional
(33:21):
seasons we got out of him.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
You want me to believe I'm talking to Aaron. You
want me to believe that you're retired. Stop lifting one
hundred and sixty pounds.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Dumb bulls. I knew you were going to bring.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
It up young people like verse in the weight room,
and then I'll believe you're done. Okay, but bring the
pads out just in case.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
When he's in the building, though, DeMarco, that makes an
impression on rams who are dressed.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
Yes, when he's there. I mean, I can't tell you.
This is just me seeing my ilst walk by, and
when they're in the building, you want to show your
best game for them. And I don't care who you are,
from Warrensap to John Randall, everybody, the guys that I
thought were the great, He's the best I've ever seen
at that spot. If you have a doubt, I don't
(34:01):
want to hear it. I've never seen a guy that good,
that dominant, and that inspiring. So when he's in the building,
if you're playing that position, you might want to, you know,
pump your game up just a little bit.
Speaker 1 (34:12):
Yeah, there's a reason there's a goat alongside Aaron Don
And yes, the goat's head does move as well.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
I think, at least the one here in in our
studios it does. It does, guys. Just final thoughts and
keys to victory. What do you want to start with?
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Wow, Well, I think you have to find a way
to approximate and equate if you can replace Quinton Lake,
and you can't do that just one for one and
not miss a beat. On defense, the communication has been great.
The connection between front linebacker and secondor oh Nate Lanman
again great football, everything else, knocking the ball out and
(34:48):
happy birthday? Did he actually say something you had him
when Rand's revealed that was fun, right, Yeah, that was
great with his pads. But defensively, just stay on the
same page. It's next man up. It's the same thing
you've done weekend and week out. And offensively, you know,
(35:08):
find a way if you have to. You have to
close the game out. You have to be professional on
that side of the game, on that side of the ball,
if it comes down to that situation, if you have
a chance to win the game on offense, you must
do it there. Don't rely on the defense.
Speaker 4 (35:21):
Yeah, I'm gonna go back to early down efficiency, the Rams,
getting back to what they've done so well to put
themselves in favorable situations to throw the football. I'm not
saying they can't throw it on first down. I'm just
saying they have to be efficient in that dimension to
stay on track to sustain some drives. I also want
to shout out Steve Avola, who I think, since he's
been getting back to health, has been kicking doors down
(35:42):
in a very meaningful way. I think with you know,
a replacement right tackle now, getting this offensive line to
continue to be ferocious and effective and disciplined, run pass screen.
I think as long as you do that, you're gonna
be able to score with Tampa Bay. And then hopefully,
you know, Shula dials up. Sorry I said his name, shoot.
Speaker 3 (36:06):
Right too.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
Hopefully punt Afford and the Rams defense puts together another
great game plan because obviously you can't bank on four
takeaways per game, but the Rams are generating situations even
without sacks, where they're putting their back in in position
to go hunt footballs. Whether that's Lambman getting another punch out,
which he did, they didn't recover it, but he got
(36:27):
another one. It's a week after week you get this
offense an extra possession or two per week, and you
got a real look at the one seed.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
Well, I'm gonna go special teams. I don't want to
see the field goal attempt, but I also want to
see the field goal of so Hey, if we can
just get into the end zone five times, I'm good
with that. Let's just keep kicking the extra points. However,
I would love to see MeVis get his first attempt,
just you know, clear it out there, get it done,
get it over one. It's coming, Yeah, all right, well, guys,
this has been a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (36:56):
You ready for Sunday Night football and Sofi?
Speaker 3 (36:58):
Absolutely? Yes, yeah, I know who Sho is. By the way,
I don't think it matters if we don't they do.
Speaker 4 (37:04):
Hey, keep rocking the Rams house man to everyone who
came out through the rain and lifted the Rams to
victory against the Seahawks. You know, put Baker and the
Bucks in those same circumstances. Make you feel it.
Speaker 1 (37:15):
Let's sell those standing room only seats one more time,
why don't we? Uh, we can't wait to see you
Sunday and Sofi Stadium for another prime time matchup, the
second of the season. This has been between the Horns,
presented by our Southern California Toyota dealers, JB.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
Long, DeMarco far Cameron Irwin. We'll see you Sunday night.
Welcome to Between the Horns, presented by your Southern California
Toyo de Dealers. Joining with some good friends.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Now we got JV.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
Long and the house to Marco far I'm Cameron Irwin
as we get set for yet another matchup this week
at Sunday Night Football.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
You guys ready for some primetime.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Oh my god, yes, yes, I cannot wait. This is
going to be fun. It's going to be loud again.
I like football at night, how about you? I like
the lights.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
No, I get people who are upset that last week's
game was not featured, right, was not a primetime game.
But I like the way the schedule has built because
I think human nature is to exhale after taking out
San Francisco and Santa Clara and then taking control of
the division in first place against the Seattle Seahawks. But
when you get primetime, you get Sunday Night Football, you
get Baker in the bucks. This is easy to rally
(00:50):
for and try and extend this winning street.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
You want to win, and like you said, if you
want to showcase yourself as the best at your position,
Sunday Night Football, you can do a lot worse. Right,
that's where you want to go.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Well, we were looking at this stretch on the Rams
season thinking, man, this is going to be a gauntlet
and this is now the third game in a row
where you're going this is a tough opponent. I know
they have back to back losses. However, they face the
Bills and it was a tough contest just until those
last and final minutes did the Bills really create some separation.
So we'll look ahead, of course, as we prepare for
the Bucks. But let's look back as the Rams are
(01:20):
now sitting at eight and two atop the NFC West.
It's five straight for LA over a big time opponent
in the division in Seattle. The only division right now
with three teams with seven plus wins is the NFC West.
We're playing with some of the top teams in the league.
My question to you, though, is what do you want
to find out about this Rams team as we only
(01:42):
have seven games remaining in the regular season right now?
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Who's healthy? I guess that's the first thing, which guys
are going to be out there. I think that game
it tested the medal of this football team and it
showed that they will find ways to win and they're
not going to break I mean that is a great
coaching job by all involved. When you have a culture
like that that no matter what style the game being played,
(02:06):
you have a chance to come out on top and
you can adjust on the fly. Seattle gave you everything
they had, they really did. They hit you with haymaker
after haymaker and you stood in there and you came
out with a win. It was tough. You defended two points.
You had to make it happen they missed a field goal.
But to be in that game to you've seen it,
We've been through so many games together. That was about
(02:27):
as physical a game as we've ever seen. You know,
that's one that could have gone the other way based
on two or three plays, and you kept making them
over and over and over again. So this team has
a deep just intestinal fortitude. Can I say that on TV?
They do? I mean, they will go down and dirty
to get any win that's necessary. So to me, there's
(02:50):
nothing left to be learned on that front. It's just
who's healthy from here on it.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Look at the way they celebrated it. Yeah, can you
watch that postgame celebration? What did it teach you that?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Look? I think that Shawn he's given himself a break.
It doesn't matter how you win, just get the w
You know, that's the different Sean McVay than we're used to.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Yeah, yeah, I'm with you. What I need to know
in these last couple of months what seed the Rams
are going to be? And I think we knew that
after a month or two this was a playoff roster.
Now that we've seen them beat two division rivals, I
think mathematically it's safe to say this is going to
be a playoff team. I think they're going to find
their way to at least two or three more wins
(03:28):
and get in the field. But for all the wonderful
things that the Rams have done in nine plus years
of Sean mcvay's leadership, the one thing they haven't done
is earned the number one overall seed. And that's what
they're playing for right now.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Now.
Speaker 4 (03:40):
There's no way to number one seed if you don't
win the West, and so those goals go hand in hand,
and there's still tons of work to be done in
that regard. But what are these lasts what do you say?
Seven games? Yeah, left to decide which roster and how
healthy a roster can you get into January? And then
what's your path to the ultimate goal, because I think
that's the right the Rams have earn earned and how
(04:00):
do they handle success and manage success and continue to
take on playoff caliber opponents when you look at this
window of time, and we'll get to Carolina when the
time comes. But Carolina could be a playoff team as well.
But San Francisco that's like a wildcard caliber win, Seattle
that's a Divisional round caliber win. Tampa Bay could very
(04:22):
well be an NFC championship type of matchups. So you
continue to prove your worth against these teams. I think
that only means good things and hopefully it'll eventually translate
into a week off come the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Well, you mentioned McVeigh post game, and I actually took
some of the quotes because I thought he summarized that
matchup and especially the defensive performance. He called it just
resiliency from the defense and also said what a blessing
for the offense to get a chance to learn from
this one. So my question to you is what can
they learn from this one from the offensive side of
the ball.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
I punch it in when you have a chance to.
We talked about this earlier, David I mean, look, there's
to be they get paid. Two. We heard this before,
and that defense from Seattle is as good as advertised.
The one thing that you could circle and say, wow,
this right here. You have a chance to ice the
game with two twenty three to go, and you have
to give it back to them and have your defense
(05:16):
go out and make a stop. That's awesome. I think
that's what he meant. Your offense has a chance to
learn through this. You get the w your defense tood Tall.
I thought that was awesome. I think the job they're
doing on that side of the ball is exemplary. The
secondary came up so big, and I know we were
knocking on Sam Darnold and you know everybody does, and
you should after a four pick game, But give that
(05:36):
secondary credit for being prepared, being ready, and being where
they should be. There were some great plays that first
pick by cam Kinchins.
Speaker 4 (05:43):
What a read.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
That is an all pro read. You can go from
one hash to the other and sneak up on a
quarterback that's staring down a receiver. Tremendous and then you
almost returned it to the end zone. Oh that reminds
me of one thing. If you are going to do
like celebrations. Do it on your sideline, Remember the big guys,
you caught it over there. Stay over there. Your family's there.
Why go to the other side. Make them dudes have
(06:05):
to run an extra hundred yards.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
He felt a little left behind there by attendant.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
Just stay in the corner. What's the big deal about
that corner over there? But I mean, look, that secondary
played so well. That defense is playing lights out. Like
you said, it was a tremendous back and forth game.
So I understood what he said. Thank goodness, we got
the win. Great job defense, But offense, we have to
be better.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
I think the Rams are going to have to beat
the Seahawks twice more, and hopefully the third of those
games are going to be back at SOFI Stadium. But
in terms of the rematch coming next month, I think
of all the phases, the Rams offense has the most
left on the play sheet in terms of I think
both defensive coordinators put a great game plan together. I
think those were the best defenses that both of these
(06:46):
offenses have faced. And you could sense just how much
these rosters were built to beat each other from Seattle standpoint,
especially defensively. So there's no shame in scoring a small
handful of touchdowns and getting four picks and getting out
of there with a victory, holding serve at home. But
when they go back to Seattle, I think Sean McVay
and Mike Lafleur they have more left in their game
(07:07):
plan that never saw the light of day because of
the way that game was played, because of the short
fields they were gifted by their defense, because of the
long stretches of time where they didn't even have the football.
Whereas I think in terms of the game of poker,
you know, Donald and Kubiak and the Seahawks put a
lot more of what they're capable of and what they
(07:28):
have to do to succeed out there on film, and
the Rams had good answers for it, and there will
be counter moves. Don't get me wrong, like the game
Thursday Night Football in December could look completely different. I
expect it to look completely different than that one. But
I think what we saw is that the Rams have
more avenues to victory. They have more margin for air
because of the way they're playing, thankfully now in all
(07:49):
three phases. And there's a reason why that they got
the NFC Special Teams Player of the week because the
punt of the year, Oh my god, happened right in
front of our very eyes.
Speaker 3 (07:59):
It's ugly, the punts, the end over end stuff I
will never get used to. But man, does it have
bite when it hits you know. I mean, I don't
know that many guys that can punt the football that
way and that or that strong that.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Can do they not have walked that thing down there
and said you start right there than he did.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
See they called it a hole in one, and I
was like, that sounds about.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
Yes, it's in a lifetime golf shot for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Coming out of this one, my initial thought was so
much of the conversation was this is going to be
a chess match between the Rams and Seattle and picking
up the win. I was going, I'm not even sure
if this is even check against Seattle. I think it's
going to be check maybe the next time, and maybe
even checkmate when it really matters the most.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
It was a cage fight, That's what that was.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
But here's the thing too, is Harry Potter style, right, you.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Know, like I think the Rams have the best piece
on the board, and if there's a big bold takeaway
from that game, it's that the Rams still have the
best quarterback in the building and in the NFC. I
know it wasn't his most prolific game, but Matthew Stafford
did enough of the right things to guide his team
to victory. And look, I had all the admiration and
(09:07):
respect for Seattle going into that game. I think the
offseason moves that they made were bold. We're daring, We're criticized,
but they were right. They were right. The doubt that
I have is is Sam Darnold the quarterback who can
get you to the ultimate prize? And that remains to
be seen. He's certainly capable of playing a better game
than he did. But if you're looking at the difference
(09:29):
between these two teams running long term, we know Matthew
Stafford can get you all the way home? Can Sam Darnald.
If you're the Seahawks, I think you have to know
that your path to a championship is through Los Angeles.
But could them could you fault them for preferring to
go around Yes, yeah, right, without question because of the
last three games that they played against Arnald.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Without question.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
The Rams now with their best start since twenty eighteen,
which has now garnered some major attention. It felt like
only a few weeks ago, tom Bray it didn't even
have the Rams in his top ten in terms of
power rankings. Now for Tom Brady, but now for the
six have the Rams up at the number one spot.
I guess to Marco for you, how do you go
about per se ignoring the noise versus actually letting that
(10:15):
garner even more confidence.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
I hate it from outside the building when you have
to when people are saying this is the best team
in football, because it sets you up for failure because
you got to go play Sunday night ball against Tampa,
who's a good football team. So you're number one, you're
number one, you're number one, you lose, Aye, you stink,
you know what I mean. That's how that goes. But
inside the building, I don't think it matters. I think
they've always felt they're the best team in football. I
(10:39):
think every team that winsday Super Bowl or at least
is in contention feels the same way. So the fact
that people are patting you on the back, it's always good,
it's always fun. It's always good to be talked about
in a positive way. But it's just talk. It doesn't
matter you have to show up on game day. So
I try to avoid that talk as much as possible
on this side. I know it doesn't filter into the
locker room or into those meeting rooms. Here, there's a
(11:02):
lot of things they can show you to where if
we don't do this, if we don't have the punt
that we just talked about, that could be a loss.
So there's a lot of ways you could have lost
that game as much as there were ways to win it.
So it's nice to be talked about in the positive way,
but it's still just talk.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
I agree. I mean, you needed four takeaways to get
to the finish line there, But I think larger picture,
the Rams have played ten games and they put a
game plan and an effort and an execution out there
that was worthy of winning all of them. Now, they
lost two of them for a variety of reasons. But
if they can put seven more winning efforts together, this
thing is going to end up where it's supposed to
(11:38):
end up. And whether that's the one seed or not,
whether that's the NFC West champion or not. You get
this team in the fight. We know they're going to
be a tough out, and you give me McVeigh and
you give me Stafford and you give me Chris Shula
in an elimination format, and no matter who the opponent
is or where that game is played, I'm gonna feel
good about it. Now, we're getting to the point in
the season where your competitive depth is being tested, and
(11:58):
we find out today that it's not just Quinton Lake
going on injured reserve, but it's Tyler Higbee going on
injured reserve, it's Rob Hanstein going on injured reserve. So
you know, those corners of your roster that you've been
bolstering behind the scenes and you've been developing for weeks
and for days at a time, it's their time to shine.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
Yeah, shout out to Warren McClendon, who has turned the
corner of those reps early in the season when he
got the start. That's only gonna help so and those
tight ends. You know, we haven't talked enough about Kolbe
Parkinson and the job he's done. That time where he
scored his body and scored That might have been the
best play I've seen as a RAM besides the one
where he caught it in the corner of the end zone.
He leaned back. He's as tall as the giraffe. But
(12:40):
how you had the presence of mine to know in
that situation with that safety coming, he's coming low, let
me catch square the football, deal with that, get into
the end zone. I thought that was huge.
Speaker 4 (12:49):
So against his former team, against his former.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Teams' revenge game, without question.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
So I think you're prepared to I guess being next
man up mode, even with Q Lake with as important
as he is to the defense, because you can call
so much of the defense through him, because he can
do so much, I think you can manufacture that with
different people. This staff, this group, they're all ready for it.
Even they said it right after the game. It's everybody
(13:15):
here is ready for their ops. They're ready for their opportunity.
So you'd rather have him in there. But I don't
think you miss a beat. I think you just have
different people doing different jobs this week for that defense.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
Colby Parkinson most improved ram you.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Know, Look, I think so from the stuff that he's
doing and the hits that he's taken, the collisions that
he is willing to go into now, completely different guy
from last year. So I would say absolutely, let's say him.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
Emmanuel Forbes, Yeah, probably the two that come to mind.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
If he were here all. Yes, absolutely he is. I
think he's reaching his potential Forbes. This is why he
was drafted so high. The stuff that he can do
is like wow. But Colby Parkinson, the way he's accepted
that role of what the tight ends are. We have
got to be physical on the perimeter. This is why
we're calling this play. He's not diving for the sideline,
(14:00):
he's running through contact.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
I think that is awesome, big opportunity for McLendon. I mean,
I think he proved he is a starting tackle in
this league. And now he's had a couple of weeks
off to reset right, probably to digest his own pros
and cons to watch Rob go to work. I'm excited
for him to jump back in. I think this offense
can actually continue to accelerate with him at right tackle.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
You know what it looks like to me now, And
it's funny when you see these guys go from drafted
rookie year whatever to the next level. He looks like
a starter now. He carries himself like a starter. Where
he stands, how he goes about his business when there's
information being passed around the sideline, where he stands in
relation to that he is in tune. He's seems like
a starter.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
Now, you know, the best thing for war McClendon is
seventy thousand plus rams fans in attendance at Sofi Stadium
this sun and night. What could help him more than that?
Oh yeah, yeah, Well play in a library on offense, yeah,
let him operate, yes, sir. But in terms of Quentin Lake,
I mean, he's the Jenga piece on defense, right, He's
the one that makes so much else possible. And I
(14:59):
think the bike can the approach makes sense. We saw
a lot of Josh Wallace, like twenty seven, twenty nine
snaps something like that. This is why you get Roger
McCreery and kind of a subtle pre trade deadline deal
for depth. Kobe Durant can play inside on probably some
of the more known passing downs and distances. But who's
(15:19):
going to continue to match and fit the run down
in and down out the way that Quinton Lake does,
and run with tight ends up the scene the way
that Quinton Lake does.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
The way he plays. You can equate it just with
one guy, but you can do it by play calling.
So I think that's the thing about this staff and
the secondary. The way they play, they can get people
ready to play in a short amount of time, and
there's always ways to cover up for a guy you're missing.
In Q Lake, you can become ultra aggressive, which is
what Chris Shula wants to be anyway, So if you
(15:48):
don't have the guys to cover, you can always send
more bodies towards Baker Mayfield and get after him that way,
which is what affected Sam Donald the most anyway, moving
him around, making him feel unsafe. He threw it to
you a few.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Times about to say, you transitioned right into Shula, and
that's where I wanted to go next, because some of
the defensive adjustments that he made, particularly even into the
second half were really solid. You think about just Seattle,
you know, based more on a volume run game, they're
looking to throw the ball deep over the head, but
you look back at some of the explosives, they really
only had about one and a half on the ground
in terms of explosive plays about three in the air.
(16:20):
What adjustments did you really see from Shula?
Speaker 4 (16:24):
H pass.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Pass on the question or.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
We're not going to mention his name on the show?
Speaker 2 (16:34):
No, okay, I guess we're a defensive coordinator. He doesn't
want to talk about him anymore. And I don't blame
I think the secret is out.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
You can't hide. You're not going to keep him out
of the interview.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
I think the secret is out. He is doing a
fantastic job. They are doing a fantastic job. I thought
Seattle's game plan was very good.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
It took the Rams into the deep wall and you
tried to wear them out. And I thought Jackson Smith
and jigbut was as good or better than advertised. When
they replay a one handed catch in somebody else's house,
you know that catch is primo stuff. So I thought
the game plan, the adjustments, it may not have been schematic.
It could have just been a little motivational and to
(17:20):
keep guys together and in tune. I thought it was fantastic.
You outlasted a team that was trying to knock you
into the oblition.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
So we kind of previewed it by saying, whoever can
live in and thrive in sub packages the longest in
that game is probably gonna win that game. And the
Rams willingness and ability to play with extra safeties and
defensive backs on the field and still not give up
the explosives in the running game be able to get
the football back. I mean that was the difference because
Seattle again perfectly built to thwart where the Rams have
(17:51):
gone offensively, which is why you see the Rams go, oh okay,
they got this thirteen personnel covered. They've done their homework.
Let's go pivot and let's go try and find a
way to get enough points and enough first downs to
win this thing. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Every time Walker touched the ball in the third and
fourth quarter, I held my breath and they kept coming
up with stop after stop. They He had some runs,
but they didn't allow the big one.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
You know what, though, I think Seahawks fans felt that
way whenever Kyraen Williams got a touching thank.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
You Lord, yes, sir, way to go, Kyron. I to me,
that was the best he's played. When you talk about
getting to the unblocked guy and dealing with him and
not letting that stop your progress from going down the field,
and then having those defenders react to you. Yeah, that
was the best he's played in a long time in
my opinion.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
He had two runs for over thirty yards, and actually
that's the first time a running back has had two
plus thirty plus or excuse me, two thirty plus yards
in the same game in the Mike Bay era. No
oh yeah, yeah, no, it's shocking.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I know it's shocking.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Let me go back and look, because that doesn't seem right.
It seemed like Gurley broke every other player. Is that
just our memory?
Speaker 2 (18:56):
It might be.
Speaker 4 (18:57):
I'm just I'm happy to see Kyen where he is,
not just in terms of it explosions, but now cemented
in the RAMS career top ten for rushing for someone
who grew up a RAMS fan idolizing Steven Jackson, like,
that's just cool, and he's still got thousands of yards
left in him, which is great.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Do you think the share changes at all just considering
the performance he puts on?
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Surprised among our listeners are fan base like how much
of a buzzworthy topic that was? Because I think Kyen
has benefited from not just the competitive push of Blake Orm,
but the reduced snap count. And I think a lot
of our audience that's been begging for more Korm because
he too has been explosive, is now being counterbalanced by saying,
(19:35):
wait a second, you had a hot hand. Why take
opportunities away from Williams. These sound like Champagne problems. Right.
If you've got a ball, secure, explosive Kyrine Williams, who
you want to give more handoffs and more snaps to,
that's a much better place to be than where we
were a month, six weeks.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
When we when the Saints were here. One of my
old coaches, defensive coordinator, was on that staff, and he
told me something I'd never even thought of. All the
guys that backed me up became starters.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
All the guys that backed you up in the league
became starters. Yes, you must have been good.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
But that was the push, that was the competition. These
guys are good behind me. I'm not giving up that job.
We talked about this competition will bring the best out
of you. I think you just saw that with Kyron.
He's proving that. I think Blake Korn was making a
real challenge for that job and you had to step
it up to keep him off your neck. Either way,
(20:28):
it's good for us and good for the offense the
balls moving down the field. But I think it brought
the best out of Kyron, and I'm with you. I
think there's more there.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
That was an epic humble brag value. That was what
for someone who's never touted his own playing career, that
was nail.
Speaker 3 (20:41):
I never even thought he said it. Yeah, no idea. Yeah,
one of them's on that coaching staff. That's that's why
he brought it up.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
Yeah, well, guys, we do need to adjust just Stafford's
performance in this one, obviously picking up the win and
getting the touchdowns when we needed them. However, it was interesting.
I looked at some of the just total time throw
and it was the second fastest Stafford has had all.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Season long, only to Houston. It was two point four six.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Oh get it.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
And we talked about the Seattle front. But how different
of a matchup could this have been for Stafford? Was
it on him or was it more so on the
Seattle front.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
I'm going to give the front credit. I thought the
edges were good. I thought that we were talking about
Bairn Murphy. Yeah he's gonna be a problem for a while. Yeah,
he's not going away. They got some pressure on Stafford.
He had to get rid of it. And the secondary.
I thought they had a great game plan. I thought
they game planned some stuff and took away some quick reads.
And I thought if Matthew Stafford was a lesser quarterback.
(21:38):
You could have rushed it, you could have gave up sacks,
you could have threw the ball to them, just like
Sam Darnold. So some days it's going to be tough
sledding and you have to, you know, find a way
to make chicken soup out of you know what. And
I think that's exactly what he did. So the numbers
don't bear it out, but I thought he played a
tough football game against the very tough defense that was
bringing it on him.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
I mean, he's been on the ultimate heater, so there
was gonna be some regressions somewhere along the line here.
I'm glad that regression looks like it looks in a
win against maybe the best defense in the league right
now with no turnovers. He'll tell you he should have
made that first throw, I think to Higbee, Yeah, and
the red zone, and look if I still don't know
why that challenge was not successful, but if they give
(22:19):
Kyron that first down, if Matthew hits Higbee, you know,
we could be looking at an entirely different game script
and a much different box score for Matthew Stafford. But
what I love about again, to go back to the
postgame celebration, is Davante is cussing and venting because he
got what seven or eight targets and only one catch
and it was a touchdown and it was a big one.
But like he's less than one hundred percent, you didn't
(22:41):
feel him as much as you have been lately. Matthew
Stafford was sped up like the clock that you just
give evidence to. But he's at a different point. Sean
McVay is at a different point in their career arc
where you can win through that imperfection because you're a
more complete team. Now, you're a more patient team. You're
more patient staff and offense, and I think that bodes
(23:03):
really well. You're not going to be able to put
up five touchdowns per game every time out in this league.
It's too good, especially against a team like that. But
that's not going to hinder his MVP case at all.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
If you can, if you get the right first down call.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
I'm just saying, no, that's it too, and not just
that first down call. Yeah it is, but then on
first and ten or first and goal, yeah, right, So
what you're saying is true. But I also the other
thing I meant to say is look at the rams
lack of success on first down. The secret sauce offensively
this year has been being on or ahead of schedule,
(23:37):
almost showing exclusively like they've had so few negative down
and distances, and then you run into this wall that
is the Seattle defense, and all of a sudden you're
living in second and ten or third and behind the chains,
and guess what, against any defense, but especially that defense,
your numbers are going to plummet if you're in those
sorts of circumstances.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
And it was interesting too looking at just the third down,
struggling on that and finding some fourth down opportunities. The
Rams actually converted on two of three. I'm curious though,
from a mindset, is it more an approach and aggressive
mindset by the Rams, or is it more a function
of how the NFL is now being played, as they've
gone for it more on fourth down I think eighteen
total times this season.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
It's the fact that they haven't made a field goal
since Baltimore.
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Yeah, in primary, we haven't even kicked a field goal
in the last two games.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
There might be some a little more aggression. I don't
know what the I think we're more with the numbers.
Now the analytics say go for it more, and teams
kind of lean on.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
That that field goals aren't worth it.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
But yeah, but I think with this football team and
the kicking game the way it was, you're still in
a touchy feely mode. Then if you have a chance,
would you rather go with a risky prospect of kicking
it or go with putting the ball in nine hands?
I would rather go that way with matthew Stown.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
I think it's in all of the above type of
thing what you just said. Plus you've got a championship
caliber defense who can cover up any failures on fourth down.
So I love the fact that not only has Sean
Vay come to see the light and in terms of
the analytic argument, but that even when it falls short,
and I mean you fail on your first fourth down
(25:06):
and then you get in a goal line situation, you
get stuffed that you're willing to go for it again
on fourth down and spread them out and shotgun hand off.
You talk about a tendency break there. What are you
supposed to do defensively, now, DeMarco, if you've got Davante
Adams who can hit the fade, who can hit the slant.
You got Pooka unlocking the red zone. You've thrown touchdowns
to your tight ends the last few weeks, and now
(25:26):
that you can just swing the sledgehammer of Kyron Williams again.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
You know this is funny, This is great. This is
how you know when a DCE is on his heels.
If I had that situation with that on tape. Now
that they can run it or throw it out to DeVante,
I'm just going to have to pressure you and hope
I get there, make him throw it faster than he wants.
Maybe I'll get a tip ball or something.
Speaker 4 (25:45):
Well, that's where a lot of these blitz stats that
you've seen percolating, Like Stafford's been eviscerating the blitz, and
it's true a lot of that is like short field
red zone where the defensive coordinators like, we've only got
this much real estate to anyone who's not occupying a receiver,
hit it. I'll get them here. Yeah, but he's got
the answers to the test.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Yeah, I mean I thought that was huge. It was
a big call. I think you even asked, like, what
would you call here? I said, they stuffed you twice.
Go ahead and throw it, And I'm glad Seattle was
thinking like me, because once they spread out that middle
open wide, it just opened wide open and there goes
Kyron for the touchdown.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
Party in the red seat. Yes, all right, guys, you're
ready to look a little bit more ahead towards the Bucks. Yeah,
all right, top of NFC NFC South facing off now
against the top of the NFC West. However, it feels
like these two teams, if you look at their records
or even recent history, you might be thinking they would
be trending in opposite directions. However, the Bucks have more
one score games than it feels like the rest of
(26:39):
the league, winning four of six one score games throughout
their time. They started off five and one, rams down
a five game win streak. So when you look at
this one on the defensive side of the ball, what
needs to be accomplished defensively?
Speaker 3 (26:54):
And look, I have all the respect in the world
for Baker Mayfield and what he can do. He is
the second coming of Fran Tarkenton type. Guys. The play
is never dead, you know what I mean. Even if
you defense it perfectly and you run the route for
the receivers, you still have to keep him corraled, which
is easier said than done, and they do a great
job of keeping you off balance with the running game. Now,
(27:15):
it hasn't been explosive, but it's something you have to respect.
It really does test you. So Baker's tough. I think
the thing about this defense is you have to recover
quickly from that sort of game. It was physical, it
was brutal, and then you have to get it going
again and dial that up to get after Baker Mayfield
because if you don't get pressure on him, he can
stand back there and sling it and wing it with
(27:37):
the best. So you're gonna have to bring the same
effort you brought on Sam Donald to Baker Mayfield. But
that's just half of it. He is a better quarterback
on the move than Sam Donald. So this will be
another stiff test for the defense.
Speaker 4 (27:49):
First of all, how cool is it that Baker's coming
back to so far under the lights of prime time?
Right he shouldn't even be allowed to prepare for this
game until Friday at the early. Let's see if he
can do it on who Sleeps Again? Man, that was
a special chapter in Rams history. I'm so glad for
his couple of months. Yeah, in Los Angeles, not as
glad as he is because it's earned him that tens
(28:10):
of millions.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
Of dollars, but also a newfound love for the game
of football too, which he's mentioned this week, which I
thought was pretty special his time here with.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
LA he was being bounced around for a while in
this room. Who doesn't root for Baker Mayfield. Everybody roots
for him. We all love Baker for what he did here.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
So we won't be rooting for month Sunday.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
But the only way you you you show him the
proper respect is to get after him, just like you
did Cooper Cup this weekend.
Speaker 4 (28:32):
But I think you preface the backdrop and the motivation appropriately.
In terms of the Rams are in a how do
we handle success mode? And the Buccaneers have lost to
I mean, two AFC contenders in consecutive weeks, right, so
they're in a little bit of back against the wall
like the presumed favorite in that division, and still the favorite,
I would argue, is suddenly feeling a little bit of pressures,
(28:53):
a little bit of pursuit from the Carolina Panthers, and
I think there leads down to a half a game,
so they come here. It reminds me a little bit
of the Miami Dolphins and the primetime matchup from last year.
Different stakes, but like Miami was at that point in
the season where it's now or never, Like, if we're
going to make a run at this thing, we got
to flip the switch. And Tampa Bay's got more margin
(29:13):
for air built in. But I think you should expect
a desperate game plan and group a bunch of Buccaneers.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Absolutely, when you said Carolina in the mix, that's wow,
unreal What a difference a year makes.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Yeah, I mean yeah, get ready for that challenge too.
By the way, post Thanksgiving.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
There are some question marks in terms of the Bucks
offense because they've been dealing with numerous injuries. But Irving
currently on the practice field this week, how could that
maybe shift the game plan against this offense.
Speaker 3 (29:40):
He's another guy like McCaffrey that could eat you up
both ways. He can run the football. He's not the
biggest dude in the world, but he's not afraid to
run inside. And he's a guy like we were talking
about with McCaffrey. Sometimes he's the primary and he'll kill
you that way, even if he's the dump off the
secondary option for Baker Mayfield. When he catches it, you
got problem again. So it's just another one of those issues,
(30:03):
the problems that comes out of the backfield, and he
could take it and be immediate with it. So he's
a guy you just can't get away from. Smith and
Jigba is a guy you can kind of get away
from by putting pressure on the quarterback. Once Irving gets it,
he's got it. Now you've got to go deal with him.
So that's how dangerous he can be. But I think
this defense has been up to the challenge no matter
who's carrying the rockets.
Speaker 4 (30:23):
I mean, the thing that I appreciate about Tampa Bay,
and this goes back to last season when they were
playing me and to Marco at tight end, basically, is
they've been able to put up points and manufacture offense
no matter their circumstances. They've been banged up at the
skill position players, they've been banged up up front and
getting healthier at certain spots amplifies the challenge for the
Rams this week. But this is a group that's shown
(30:43):
that they can get to thirty no matter what eleven
they're putting out there.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
So yeah, it was interesting because Sean Tucker actually out
a career day three touchdowns, two on the ground, one
through the air, and he could be a force to
be reckoned with. And again Chris Godwin also somewhat questionable.
He might be out there, may not.
Speaker 3 (30:59):
So ought you.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
We'll see I was gonna say. I was saying the
same thing. Guys.
Speaker 1 (31:04):
We have a really fun celebration taking place on Sunday night.
Of course it's Primetime, but it's also the Aaron.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
Donald Celebration game.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
So I'm telling you Rams fans, the first sixty thousand
fans into SOFI, you are picking up an eighty bobblehead
and the goat bobblehead.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
You know you want one of those?
Speaker 3 (31:21):
Of course? I do you know what I would do
when he comes out for that, I just would just
put a set of pads off to the side.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
It's a good call.
Speaker 3 (31:28):
Helmet and shoulder pads. Just have him ready, just in case,
just in case, just in case. You never know.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
I know you like the life size Aaron Donald or.
Speaker 4 (31:35):
I guest seventy fiftninety nine, get a bottlehead, but I'm
getting mine first, So absolutely I like that this is
somehow tied into Baker's visit to SOFI because that twenty
two season was such a grind and it hurts so badly,
But I'm just like I said, I was thankful for
Baker's time and the way he helped flip the emotional
(31:57):
energy of that season. You know, by that point in
the year, Aaron was done for twenty two, but the
fact that he didn't ride off to the end of
the sunset from the parade stage in twenty one will
always mean so much to me. One because I wasn't
ready to say goodbye, and I know many of us
still are not ready to say goodbye. But there had
(32:18):
to be times that fall in twenty two where he
was like, what was I thinking? How do they convince me?
I know they convinced him with a paycheck, but how
do they convince me to come back and keep doing
this right? And not only did he endure that season,
but he came back again in twenty three. And there's
no way in my estimation that the Rams accomplish anything
in twenty three. Certainly are not where they were in
(32:39):
twenty four and again here in twenty five if Aaron
didn't tack on those last two seasons. So yes, He's
going to be forever remembered for what he did against
San Francisco in that NFC Championship game, what he did
against the Bengals in the Super Bowl, the three Defensive
Player of the Year honors that he won. But in
my everlasting memory twenty two and twenty three three and
(33:00):
then being able to willing to walk away when you
had the team back on the upslope like that, to me,
is you still feel his legacy around here, You still
feel his standard in that room, on this defense, in
this facility, Which might have been true if he walked
away after the confetti fell, But I think is all
the more rich and enjoyable because of those two additional
(33:21):
seasons we got out of him.
Speaker 3 (33:23):
You want me to believe I'm talking to Aaron. You
want me to believe that you're retired. Stop lifting one
hundred and sixty pounds.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Dumb bulls. I knew you were going to bring.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
It up young people like verse in the weight room,
and then I'll believe you're done. Okay, but bring the
pads out just in case.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
When he's in the building, though, DeMarco, that makes an
impression on rams who are dressed.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
Yes, when he's there. I mean, I can't tell you.
This is just me seeing my ilst walk by, and
when they're in the building, you want to show your
best game for them. And I don't care who you are,
from Warrensap to John Randall, everybody, the guys that I
thought were the great, He's the best I've ever seen
at that spot. If you have a doubt, I don't
(34:01):
want to hear it. I've never seen a guy that good,
that dominant, and that inspiring. So when he's in the building,
if you're playing that position, you might want to, you know,
pump your game up just a little bit.
Speaker 1 (34:12):
Yeah, there's a reason there's a goat alongside Aaron Don
And yes, the goat's head does move as well.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
I think, at least the one here in in our
studios it does. It does, guys. Just final thoughts and
keys to victory. What do you want to start with?
Speaker 3 (34:28):
Wow, Well, I think you have to find a way
to approximate and equate if you can replace Quinton Lake,
and you can't do that just one for one and
not miss a beat. On defense, the communication has been great.
The connection between front linebacker and secondor oh Nate Lanman
again great football, everything else, knocking the ball out and
(34:48):
happy birthday? Did he actually say something you had him
when Rand's revealed that was fun, right, Yeah, that was
great with his pads. But defensively, just stay on the
same page. It's next man up. It's the same thing
you've done weekend and week out. And offensively, you know,
(35:08):
find a way if you have to. You have to
close the game out. You have to be professional on
that side of the game, on that side of the ball,
if it comes down to that situation, if you have
a chance to win the game on offense, you must
do it there. Don't rely on the defense.
Speaker 4 (35:21):
Yeah, I'm gonna go back to early down efficiency, the Rams,
getting back to what they've done so well to put
themselves in favorable situations to throw the football. I'm not
saying they can't throw it on first down. I'm just
saying they have to be efficient in that dimension to
stay on track to sustain some drives. I also want
to shout out Steve Avola, who I think, since he's
been getting back to health, has been kicking doors down
(35:42):
in a very meaningful way. I think with you know,
a replacement right tackle now, getting this offensive line to
continue to be ferocious and effective and disciplined, run pass screen.
I think as long as you do that, you're gonna
be able to score with Tampa Bay. And then hopefully,
you know, Shula dials up. Sorry I said his name, shoot.
Speaker 3 (36:06):
Right too.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
Hopefully punt Afford and the Rams defense puts together another
great game plan because obviously you can't bank on four
takeaways per game, but the Rams are generating situations even
without sacks, where they're putting their back in in position
to go hunt footballs. Whether that's Lambman getting another punch out,
which he did, they didn't recover it, but he got
(36:27):
another one. It's a week after week you get this
offense an extra possession or two per week, and you
got a real look at the one seed.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
Well, I'm gonna go special teams. I don't want to
see the field goal attempt, but I also want to
see the field goal of so Hey, if we can
just get into the end zone five times, I'm good
with that. Let's just keep kicking the extra points. However,
I would love to see MeVis get his first attempt,
just you know, clear it out there, get it done,
get it over one. It's coming, Yeah, all right, well, guys,
this has been a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (36:56):
You ready for Sunday Night football and Sofi?
Speaker 3 (36:58):
Absolutely? Yes, yeah, I know who Sho is. By the way,
I don't think it matters if we don't they do.
Speaker 4 (37:04):
Hey, keep rocking the Rams house man to everyone who
came out through the rain and lifted the Rams to
victory against the Seahawks. You know, put Baker and the
Bucks in those same circumstances. Make you feel it.
Speaker 1 (37:15):
Let's sell those standing room only seats one more time,
why don't we? Uh, we can't wait to see you
Sunday and Sofi Stadium for another prime time matchup, the
second of the season. This has been between the Horns,
presented by our Southern California Toyota dealers, JB.
Speaker 2 (37:29):
Long, DeMarco far Cameron Irwin. We'll see you Sunday night.
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