Ep.568: Are the Rams about to go on a TEAR or FOLD? | DTR

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, guys, welcome back to Downtown Rams. As always,
I'm Alexis Kraft joining her with my co host Jake
ellen Bogan, and we are coming to you tonight live
to preview our matchup against the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday
at Sofi Stadium, coming off of our loss to Philadelphia Brutal. Jake,
we talked about it last episode. We are not going

(00:23):
to dwell too much on that loss this episode because
this episode is all about previewing our matchup against the
Indianapolis Colts. But obviously there was a lot of lessons
learned in that game, a lot of hard lessons that
the Rams need to be aware of this Sunday.

Speaker 2 (00:40):
Jake, what's your vibe? What's your vibe going into this matchup?

Speaker 3 (00:43):
Yeah?

Speaker 4 (00:44):
You know my vibe going into this matchup is that
I don't think anybody and I mean I could be
wrong here. We'll find out what the Didanapolis Colts this weekend,
but I don't feel like anybody could beat the Rams
this week coming off a loss like that. You know,
I titled our show tonight, Are there about to go
on a tearor fold? I think it's between those two.

(01:04):
The Rams are gonna show us what they're made of.
And to me, I only see one way this is going,
and it's gonna be uh on a tear. I expect
the Rams to win this game. I expect the Rams
to beat the forty nine ers. When I'm out there Thursday,
I hope to see some of you out there. And
I expect the Rams to beat the Ravens and Jaguars
and and you know their pre by run with only

(01:24):
one loss.

Speaker 3 (01:26):
So maybe I'm.

Speaker 4 (01:27):
Just way too positive, but I feel like a lot
of people looked at that Eagles game the wrong way,
especially like the mainstream. They looked at it like, oh,
good teams don't blow leads like that. Well, I beg
to differ because they absolutely stifled the Eagles in the
first half, and then the second half, yeah, things went awry,

(01:50):
but it took them until what the final two minutes
to finally gain the lead. And in addition to that,
they needed some fluky things to happen. And I'm not
saying that the Rams don't deserve to have that happen
because they just didn't execute the kicking operation well. But
that said, how many games do you have blocked kicks
like that back to back, you just don't. So there

(02:10):
were some things that normally don't happen in an everyday
NFL game that happened, and that's everything led to the
Rams losing in the final seconds. But let's not forget
the Rams offensive operation did a great job going down
the field and gave Josh Carty a very makeable field goal,
and we know Cardy would have been able to drill it,

(02:31):
but he didn't get the opportunity because his guys upfront
failed him. So this week, going up against a red
hot Colts team three to zero, I can tell you
after watching all three games on all twenty two, this
team is absolutely legit. Daniel Jones is legit. I think
it's really making the Giants look bad. But Daniel Jones,

(02:52):
I don't think was the issue in New York. And
I think everything that he's learned from that he's applied
to his time with Indye. But also Indy has a
better offensive line, actually one of the better offensive lines
in football, and I think it's allowed him to really thrive.
Now they'll be without Matt Goncaves. If I butchered his name,
I apologize their right guard. That's significant. So I'm very

(03:15):
curious to see how that adds up. And then also
in the secondary, it's been a really good secondary early on.
You can throw on them though, but their big loss
is Kenny Moore, who's one of the best nickel corners
in all of football. He is going to be out
of this one. So Mike Hilton, who has familiarity with
lou Anrrimo, the defensive coordinator who the Rams saw in

(03:35):
the Super Bowl, He's likely going to play those snaps
and then back on the offensive side. Alec Pearce, who's
given teams fits because of just that you know overall
that that size, but also the speed combination. He's out
with a concussion. So these are three significant injuries, three
significant absences for the Annapolis Colts. But I think this

(03:55):
team's legit, Alexis and I don't think the Rams are
going to overlook it, and I don't think the fan
should be overlooking them either.

Speaker 1 (04:03):
Yeah, I mean, listen, this team is three and O.
They have to be taken seriously real quick. I'm going
to let everyone know I'm having pretty bad tech issues.
So if I start to cut out, Jake, just feel
free to take it where I left off. And just
don't mind me and chat. If things start to get weird,
let me know. I apologize. I don't know what's going
on because my WiFi speed and connection is perfect according

(04:26):
to my tester, So who knows. But Jake, Yeah, I mean,
it's not a DTR episode without ghosts, right, Nope, they.

Speaker 2 (04:36):
Have to do something to stress us out.

Speaker 1 (04:38):
But Jake, looking at this game, I want to look
at our game plan offensively, because as we talked about
when we recapped the game against the Eagles, I mean,
it was our offense really that was stifled and that
you know, wasn't able to score in the red zone.

Speaker 2 (04:53):
Right.

Speaker 1 (04:53):
There was a lot of points that we should have had.
There's touchdowns we felt we should have had, we weren't
able to get it done. So this is something that
need to change starting with this game against the Colts.
So looking at our offense, Jake, you know, I would
really like to see the run game more balanced. I
felt like against the Eagles we showed that at times,

(05:14):
and then the run game was completely abandoned. And we
talked about that last episode as well, where you know,
Kyrien and Blake were getting it done on the ground
and it's been really interesting and really satisfying to see
how they differentiate between Kyrin and Blake in the run game,
which I'll let you elaborate on because you break that
out really really nicely here in a second. But it's

(05:35):
been nice. It's been nice to see kind of the
way that they're balancing the two different skill sets of
the running backs. Also, you know, something else we talked
about is diversifying who we're throwing to. Right, almost all
the passes are going to Pukinakua and DeVante Adams. We
have other receivers, We have other guys that need to
get involved because teams are going to pick up on

(05:58):
really quickly if we are only thrown in Nukua and Atoms,
and we started to see that against Philadelphia. So, Jake,
I would like to hear your thoughts on this kind
of diversified run game that we're seeing from the rams
that we haven't seen in the past, and and kind
of how they're using Kyroen and Blake. But I also
want to hear your thoughts if you agree that the

(06:22):
passing attack needs to expand and that we can't just
keep feeding Nukua and Atoms.

Speaker 4 (06:29):
I feel like this whole week. I've been talking about
everything you just said. You know, I made a video
on diversifying the receiving room. I made multiple videos the
offensive line, and then I didn't make a video on
Kiraen and Quorum. I figure, I'll let that breathe a
little bit. Let's wait until they both, you know, start
putting some games together. But with that said, I think

(06:51):
these two company each other very well. Koram's been asked
to lose weight, Kien's been asked to gain weight. Because
of that, You're seeing Kyroen run through some task that
I just don't think you would have run through last year.
You see that Eagles game, I mean he's running through
tackles where it's not an arm tackle. I mean he really,
you know, was making plays. And you know, Kyron is

(07:12):
one of the better running backs that doesn't get credit,
and Blake Koram is emerging in this offense. And so
what they do is, you know, Kyron is more of
the gap guy, right, So the gap the the duo
runs that they like to run. The inside runs for
people that don't want to get into the specifics. Inside
has been Kyron, outside has been Blake Koram. Now you

(07:34):
could make the arguments a little unfair to Kien because
the outside stuff has been you know, a little bit easier, right,
But that is exactly why. You know, it's like putting
your number one receiver out there. You're putting him out
there going up against likely the number one corner because
you want the number one receiver, because he's more likely
to win. I feel like it's no different. Kiraen Williams
is more likely to win in the interior. He's more

(07:55):
likely to win in those tougher assignments than Blake Korum.
Coreum is basically rookie. I mean, I know this is
his second year, but he didn't play enough, in my
opinion last year to really call him a rookie. So
I know he's not. But I'm gonna basically look at
him as he is. And Korum now just doesn't really
have to think about anything. They could just hey, we're
gonna stretch run this to the left or to the right,

(08:16):
and now it's an outside zone run, and you know,
he's able to thrive there, He's able to use his
speed and pick up the first down. And then you know,
also I like what they've done a little bit, you know,
with Kyraen Williams and the you know, just showing a
little bit that they might use him a little bit
more this year in the passing attack. But yeah, I
think those guys this is gonna be a little tough
for Kyron. And here's why the Colts are really not

(08:39):
allowing much in the interior. They're giving up a lot
on the outside. So is that a Blake Korum day?
I disagree. I think if they don't have it with Kyron,
I think they're gonna stick with Kyroen and let him
have some of those outside runs as well. They're gonna
do whatever works. But I think both guys can complin
each other well. And I think the way the Rams

(09:00):
run blocking operation has been probably one of the best
in the NFL, rated the second best according to PFF.

Speaker 3 (09:06):
You know, I don't really think they're gonna have an issue.

Speaker 4 (09:09):
I know the stats indicate, yet they're not great, you know,
running in between the tackles or excuse me, in between
the guards in the center, you know, when you're going
up against the Colts. But I just think this Rams
team is better than anything they've faced so far, so
I think they'll be able to run. However, they want
to run, and that's pretty much what I would say there. Now,
I understand, you know the Colts have some guys there, right,

(09:32):
They have a Grover Stewart who's one of the better
run run defenders in the league.

Speaker 3 (09:36):
In the interior.

Speaker 4 (09:37):
You know, you go out and you get a Neville
Gallimore who is a free agent from the Rams. You
know DeForest Buckner. I don't have to tell you guys
about DeForest Buckner. Laat tou Lati on the outside does
a really nice job, but really all over the place.
Whether he drops in the coverage, he could stop the run,
he can rush the passer.

Speaker 3 (09:53):
Samson, Ebu Khom.

Speaker 4 (09:55):
You know, they have a lot of guys Taekwan lewis right,
you know Quity pay. So this Colts defensive front is
a problem. But with that said, I'm very excited because
the Rams are gonna have Steve Ovula.

Speaker 3 (10:07):
And if you.

Speaker 4 (10:07):
Guys saw that video I made about the offensive lineman,
Steve Avula is gonna be like Christmas. He I'll say this,
he has been he had an issue staying healthy from
last year, right played every game is rookie year. The
good news is that I can tell you those sixteen
reps he played when I went back and I watched him,

(10:29):
that was Steve Ovula from his rookie year. So that
I believe they're gonna get that level player. And if
they do, and I'm right on this, it's gonna make
Coleman Shelton's job easier, which I think he's been a.

Speaker 3 (10:41):
Little underrated this year.

Speaker 4 (10:43):
Alerc Jackson's been their best offensive lineman by far, and
then Kevin Dotson can kind of just slide right in there,
and now you have your starting five. You're back to
where you were, but now it's you know, not really
just having guys come in and out, because it's been
hard on your set who has been playing with different
left guards and right guards every single game. So this

(11:05):
is huge for the Rams, and I do think it's
going to bode well against a tough Colts defensive front.

Speaker 1 (11:12):
Yeah, I'm really excited to see this offensive line a
bit more healthy, playing with much more chemistry and protecting
Matthew Stafford. You know, I think as we've just seen
so far this season, it's been a little bit up
and down. It wasn't good enough against the Eagles, so
I'm hoping that this can be a good reset game
for the offensive line, and it will it will not

(11:33):
just help Matthew Stafford to help in the run game,
you know as well. So that'll be really interesting to
look out for.

Speaker 2 (11:38):
Jake.

Speaker 1 (11:39):
Going back to the receivers, is there any receiver that
you feel should be utilized more in this offense? I'm
looking at, you know, as I talked about kind of
the forcing the balls, particularly to Adams. I think Nikua
has done a really good job, and I think that's
to have been expected kind of the connection between Stafford
and Nakua. But we still kind of see Stafford often

(12:00):
times trying to force the ball to DeVante Adams when
I would like to see guys utilize more like two
two out well, Jordan Wittington, you know, Tyler Higbee using
our tight ends more, you know, utilizing that you know,
in this offense, there just hasn't been anything in the
passing attack that shows that we're going to go to
anybody else other than wide receiver one and wide receiver two.

(12:21):
Do you expect that the Rams uh do that this
game against the Colts, and that Sean McVay gets a
little bit more creative and starts spreading the ball out
or do you think they're going to stick with what's reliable.

Speaker 3 (12:32):
Oh, I definitely think they're going to go with the former. There.

Speaker 4 (12:36):
I think that was the perk if if the Rams
gained anything by losing a Philly, it forces Sean McVay
to get back onto the hood and be like, hey,
what's wrong?

Speaker 3 (12:44):
Why how do we blow this right?

Speaker 4 (12:46):
And I mean kicking six field goals it's a sign
that you're moving the ball downfield. The Colts do this,
But at the same time, it's a sign that you're
not finishing in the end zone. And so how do
you fit figure that out? When you have Pookinakua, you
have Davante Adams, like you mentioned Whittington at well, higb uh,

(13:06):
you drafted a tight end in the second round who
you're barely using. He wasn't even active last week? So
how do you you figure that out? Here's what I'm
gonna tell you, Okay, Pookinakua is so reliable all over
the field. They tell us that, however, in the red area,
for whatever reason, he doesn't get targeted. So they have
been force feeding Davonte Adams. I have the targets in

(13:29):
front of me and they're wild. Alexis, I don't know
if you knew this. Pookin Akua leads the league with
thirty five. Okay, DeVante Adams has twenty eight. Only a
forty six point four reception percentage for Davonte Adams, so
less than fifty percent of the time he's catching the ball.

Speaker 3 (13:45):
Right.

Speaker 4 (13:46):
So in addition to that, Kyen Williams, you're gonna jump
out of your chair when you hear this. Kyraen Williams
is third on the team in targets right now, third
with six, not a lot right Higbee has five, Jordan
Winnington is tied with Davis Allen for four and two
to two. At Well has three. So right now, you

(14:09):
have a lot of weapons. But the thing that made
the Rams great, their offense great, is that and obviously
people will push back these Cooper Cup, that was a
different story in twenty twenty one. But the thing that
made the offense great, you look back Josh Reynolds, Robert Woods,
Sammy Watkins, Brandon Cooks, Cooper Cupp. You know, Jerald Everett,

(14:30):
Tyler Higbee, Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown. All of these guys
were utilized in the passing game. I know they weren't
all on the same team, so please don't. You don't
need to remind me that Brandon Cooks and Sammy Watkins
didn't play on the same team. But the point being
right is that you would have a Josh Reynolds in there,
so you'd bounce out Josh Reynolds. Then you would get
Cooper Cup involved, Then you would get Robert Woods involved.

(14:51):
Then you wrote with Todd Gurley, you'd have Gerald Everett
right the rookie, you would have Tyler Higbee, the veteran.
See like, there's not enough of that right now. It's
get it to Puka. But I also want to be
very clear here that I think it's kind of put
them in a tough spot because of how much that
they're focused on running twelve personnel, which is two tight

(15:12):
ends sets and they don't even throw to the tight ends.
So there's that. And in addition to that, the offensive
line has not been good. It's what's one of the
worst pass protecting operations out there right now. So is
it gonna get better this week with Ovula healthy?

Speaker 3 (15:28):
Oh?

Speaker 4 (15:28):
You bet, your asset is. So that's the question is
how much better is it gonna get? And so are
these long developing plays going to be in play because
if so, I expect two too out Well to get
going in this game. I expect Jordan Whittington to get
going in this game, right. And I think what they're
gonna do following the Eagles game Alexis is we're gonna
see more Jordan Winnington too too out Well. I think

(15:48):
we're gonna see Terrence Ferguson. I watch that Colts and
Titans game on All twenty two and I can tell
you Chiga Conquo, their tight end, very talented, was wide
open the majority of the game. This team will give
up yards to tight ends, athletic tight ends. So this
is a good game to get to get Terrence Ferguson going.

(16:09):
And I just feel I mean, I had a feeling
last week about Terrence Ferguson. I really have a feeling
this week about Terrence Ferguson. I feel like, have they
won that game last week? Okay, they stay the course,
but now it's affecting the team. You have to find
a way. So I think in the red zone we
see more Pukinakua, and I think in between the numbers

(16:29):
we see more Jordan Whittington and to two out well,
and those guys are basically splitting that wide receiver three role.
Jordan Winnington's on the field more to block, but to
two Outwolls also out there just as much to catch.
He's not getting the ball thrown him. He's just been
a clear out guy. I think that changes. I think
you can throw on. You can throw on Xavion Howard.

(16:49):
I think you can throw on Tarvarius Ward, although he's
a lot better than Howard. And I still say Kenny
Moore being out in this game is gonna be huge now.
Cameron by them and Nick Cross, I think that's one
of the best safety duos in the National Football League.
So that remains to be seen. But Joe Bachi, who
came on our show years ago, and also, oh my god,

(17:12):
I'm blaking on his name, but they're linebackers. They're linebackers.
There's an issue, ziar Franklin. They don't cover that well.
So I think this is a huge opportunity to get
for going, opportunity to get Tyler Higbee going, although he's
questionable and so is Parkinson. But really, if you're looking
for kind of the X factor this week, it's Jordan

(17:33):
Wittington I really believe that.

Speaker 2 (17:39):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (17:39):
Sorry, I'm having my connection issues, but yeah, I just
think that they need to spread the ball out.

Speaker 4 (17:45):
You know.

Speaker 1 (17:45):
You bring up Ferguson, and I think that this is
as good a game as ever, you know, to get
him involved, you know, coming off of, you know, the
loss last week, I think that you've got to start
utilizing your tight ends. And if it's not going to
be Higbee, if it's not, I mean Alice has Alice Allen. Sorry,
I combined Davis and Allen and said, Alice.

Speaker 3 (18:05):
I love it. We're just gonna call him Alice from
now on.

Speaker 2 (18:09):
Let's please not No, I'm so sorry, Davis Allen. Yeah no, no.

Speaker 1 (18:14):
But I mean he got the touchdown. But other than that,
you're not really utilizing your tight ends. And listen, I
rewatched the Eagles game in its entirety because I'm a masochist,
so I wanted to go and relive all of that
pain right and just make it hurt.

Speaker 2 (18:27):
And it was bad.

Speaker 1 (18:29):
And part of the reason it was bad is because
we weren't throwing the ball to our receivers. We weren't
diversifying the receiver set. And so I think that you're
right I think that seanman Fay is going to utilize
more receivers this game. I would love for Terrence Ferguson
to be active. And you know what, somebody in the
chat just brought up the fact, you know, like Tyler

(18:50):
Warren Ferguson versus Warren, let's have it be a rookie
tight end day. Hopefully Obviously Tyler Warren doesn't have a
successful day, We'll talk about that later, but let's see
Ferguson get involved, because it doesn't seem like the Rams
are really even prioritizing the tight end position right now
based on what they've done the first three games. So
I don't think he's taking any reps or spots from

(19:11):
anybody if they decide to get creative there.

Speaker 2 (19:14):
But I know Rams fans would love to see him.
He's your second round pick.

Speaker 3 (19:18):
Yeah, of course.

Speaker 4 (19:20):
I mean I'm kind of at the point where it's like,
why isn't he out there when it'd be one thing
of Tyler. See, that's actually something I want to point out.
I understand he was banged up, I get that right,
but you are dealing with an offense right now where
the tight end room has their leading target guy was
six in Tyler Higbee and four with Davis Allen. Okay,

(19:43):
if I if you told me ahead of time before
the season started, Terrence Ferguson isn't going to have a
target in the first three weeks, I would say, Okay,
So Tyler Higby probably is fifteen at this point, maybe twenty. Right,
they're just utilizing Higbee more. No, they're just not using
the tight end. It's like, well, if you're gonna run
twelve personnel, which is two tight end sets at an

(20:04):
eleventh highest clip in the league, you need to throw
to the tight ends. It's like, oh, yeah, I'm gonna
run play action, but I'm never gonna run the football.
You know what defenses are gonna do laugh at you
because they're literally not gonna sit there and be like, oh,
he might run it. There's no hesitation. I'm going to
absolutely kill your quarterback because now I know you never

(20:25):
run the ball. You're not gonna run the ball, right.
If you don't throw to your tight ends, then they're
just window dressing. And that's what the Rams are doing.
So that that becomes an issue because now you can
key key in on an atoms. You can key in
on a Puka, right, So that's something that has to
be you know that that has to be fixed.

Speaker 3 (20:45):
They have to utilize the tight ends more.

Speaker 4 (20:46):
I don't understand love Sean McVay, but I don't understand
how somebody that came from the background of coaching tight
ends seems to underutilize them. I don't get it. You
look at any team that struggles in the red zone.
Do you know what they do? They start throwing the
tight ends. Do you know why? Because they're offensive linemen
that can block. That means they can get open, they
can move around, they can box out defenders, they got

(21:09):
strong hands normally. I mean like the Ravens with Mark Uh.
You know Mark Andrews the other night, two touchdowns for him,
another two touchdown game. What was it, Hunter Henry right
against the Steelers. Yeah, get two touchdowns. So it's like,
you gotta take advantage when you have that big body target.

Speaker 3 (21:28):
Look at the Cardinals they.

Speaker 4 (21:30):
Run their offense through uh Trey McBride, Like, you have
to utilize them.

Speaker 1 (21:42):
Yeah, And I think the thing, you know, when Ferguson
isn't getting utilized, right, I mean you look at this
tight end room. You've got Higbee Parkinson Alan Ferguson. So
the argument I think originally was, oh, well, you know
there's three tight ends in front of him on the
depth chart, right, maybe maybe that makes sense. Yeah, but
they're not using those tight ends. So it's like, then,

(22:02):
what's the hesitation there? If what you're you're using you're
not liking and isn't working, go ahead and throw your
second round pick in there, I think was which is
what a lot of people are saying, especially one that
I whose role is I think supposed to be more
of that hybrid receiving tight end. If you're struggling with
finding guys to throw the ball to and to make

(22:22):
place for you in the passing game, seems like the
kind of guy that you might want to give a shot.
So we'll see. I mean, I really hope that he's
active on Sunday, and I expect him to be. What
do what do we know right now?

Speaker 2 (22:36):
Right? I mean, we'll have to see.

Speaker 1 (22:37):
But if he's not active Sunday, that will be I'll
be very disappointed in that bomb wave. Like I'm not mad,
I'm just disappointed, you know, Like I'll be super bombed. Like,
but yeah, I think that that we were on the
same page of what the Rams need to do offensively,

(23:00):
what we think they're going to do.

Speaker 2 (23:01):
Uh, so let's look at the defense.

Speaker 4 (23:03):
I'm sure you enjoyed watching a Royo by the way,
get involved in the passing attack.

Speaker 1 (23:08):
Yeah, well I did, but I was so he was
and I really wanted the Rams to draft him and
didn't they. I'd have to really look back on this,
but I think they, like Seattle drafted him like right
after the Rams picked or it was something crazy.

Speaker 4 (23:25):
I don't it might have been, might not. I thought
it was like a round later, but you could be right.
I mean, my guy was fanning and he's looked really
good with Joe Flacca, like no offense, Joe, You've accomplished
a lot. But I can't believe that the Browns are
sending out a forty one year old quarterback right now.

Speaker 1 (23:45):
Yeah, I mean I really wanted him and the Seahawks
sniped him because they every receiver.

Speaker 2 (23:57):
Yep.

Speaker 1 (23:57):
I really wanted him too, and he's looking great with this.
But let's move on from things that cause me pain.
Let's talk about the Rams defense, who, as we talked
about in the episode when we recapped the game against Eagles,
really did for the majority of the game. Everything that
we could have asked. They had a great game. They unfortunately,

(24:19):
you know, had some sequences where they collapsed, especially towards
the end. Wasn't a perfect game. But the Rams defense
looks really, really good and they they weren't in my opinion,
the main reason the Rams lost to Philadelphia Jake going
into this game and facing the Colts offense led by
Daniel Jones, who was a guy a lot of people

(24:40):
counted out struggled with the New York Giants. Now he's
in Indianapolis and is three and zero with them. They've
got Jonathan Taylor, one of the best running backs in
the game on that offense, so he's looked really good
this season. You know, a guy like Michael Pittman also
on that offense. Alec Pierce you mentioned, is going to

(25:02):
be out, but you know they got Josh Downs at
receiver as well at an I'm Mitchell and then Tyler
Warren who we talked about earlier, that rookie tight end
first round pick. Jake, what do you think the Rams
defense needs to focus on against this Indianapolis offense to
shut them down.

Speaker 4 (25:22):
This is going to be a little surprising, but I
actually think so. Daniel Jones and I've watched every throw
he's made this year, and the thing I've noticed is
that blitz or not blitzed, pressure or no pressure. I mean,
he's done a nice job of just keeping his eyes downfield.
He doesn't give up on a play like he used
to with the Giants, where you just take off and run.
Running is his last ditch effort to keep the play alive.

(25:45):
It's actually been a very very fun watch if you're
in watching quarterbacks that make you know good decisions. And
I'll tell you right now when it comes to Daniel Jones,
I don't think it's as simple as just blitzing it.
I think a lot of people want it to be
that simple, but it's not. He's done well against the blitz.
Chris Shula was having so much success blitzing guys like

(26:06):
Jayleen McCullough and having Kobe Durant and you know Cameron
Kinchens right like blitzing those guys. Last week against the
Eagles the first half, the second half, the blitzing wasn't working.
They weren't getting there. If you don't get home, that
just means that now Jalen hurts is throwing to a
defensive backfield that is depleted because you've sent those guys

(26:29):
on the run. The entire point of a blitz is
either the ball gets out quick enough where it's gonna
hit the ground and it's gonna be an in complete pass,
or you get home and actually hit the quarterback and
knock the ball out, or sack the quarterback. If you
don't get any of those three things to happen, most
of the time, any quarterback worth his salt in the NFL,
especially a Super Bowl winning quarterback, is gonna find the

(26:52):
guy that's open in the zone. And that's the issue.
So Daniel Jones, I don't care what anyone says. I
do feel like there are people out there like this
is gonna be like Sam Darnold all over again. And
I'm not gonna say that it can't be that way,
but I don't believe it is going to be that way.
I think we gotta put some respect on Daniel Jones' name.

(27:13):
I think we gotta put some respect on Shane Steichen.
The job he's done. Daniel Jones, this is how you're
gonna beat him. You're gonna rush for You're gonna get
through you're gonna take advantage of the fact that Gon
Caves is out, so it's Dalton Tucker it projected at
right guard.

Speaker 1 (27:30):
Right.

Speaker 4 (27:31):
We know Braden Smith is really good at right tackle.
We know Bernard Ryman is really good at left tackle.
We know Quenton Nelson is quitting frickin' Nelson. We know
Tanbererdalini because that's one of the guys that we really
liked obviously, and you know we interviewed him. So that said,
this is a very good offensive line. But I still

(27:52):
imagine that the Rams are going to be able to
get for They're gonna be able to get pressure on
Daniel Jones. They will throw in some creative and exotic
looks and blitzes, and I get that, but if you
blitz all game long, Daniel Jones will pick you apart.
And also he's got the speed to get out of
the pocket. So if he does get blitz and he

(28:12):
gets pressured, well now he can run and do not
sleep on this guy's legs. Right, So I'll just say
I think that's the course of action. You don't want
to blitz him. I think the big thing in this one,
I have no doubt that Braden Fisk is going to
have a big game. I feel like he's finally going
to be back to health this week, and I love

(28:33):
the linebackers. I think this could be a big day
for Spates. I think this could be a big day
for Landman. But the key here Quinton Lake just came
off the best game of his career after having the
best game of his career before that. He looks like
a superstar right now.

Speaker 3 (28:46):
He does.

Speaker 4 (28:47):
He genuinely looks like one of the best defensive backs
in football. And Cam Curle and Cam Kinchen's look very good.
The corners are concerned now. They looked good, Don't get
me wrong, Like the corners look good in that first half,
but it was mainly because of the pressure. They weren't
able to really they didn't have to really cover on
an island type deal. Well, aj Brown, the biggest issue

(29:11):
was trying to tackle him up top, trying to punch
the ball out and then he just runs with the
ball afterwards and makes huge plays after the catch, and
it cost him on that final drive. Well, this week,
Michael Pittman Junior, six foot four, all six six foot
four of him is going to be a problem. Okay,
he's gonna be a problem. Josh Downs is five to nine,

(29:32):
but he's shifty enough where he's faster than your linebackers.
He's faster than your dbs. He can make plays. Then
you've got Tyler Warren who doesn't go down on first contact.
He's going to be a problem. And we all know
him because everybody wanted him on the RAMS. And then
you have Adani Mitchell, who is, in my opinion, the
biggest wild card of this offense. He's barely been utilized.

(29:53):
And so I look at Adanai Mitchell as Okay, this
is somebody. We know the speed, we know the route
running ability, we know the potential because he was one
of the highest rated prospects for a lot of different
people coming out that said, he hasn't really gotten going
in the NFL yet. This could be a coming out
party for him. So these are weapons, Alexis. This is

(30:16):
not easy. And guess what the most important guy I
didn't even name, Jonathan Taylor. Jonathan Taylor is back to
twenty twenty one. Jonathan Taylor. Where you have the contact balance,
you got the explosive. Do you know why, Because for
the first time since twenty twenty one, he's confirmed he's
fully healthy. So if you thought it was hard against
Saquon last week, I said this on another show. I said, look,

(30:43):
I think Jonathan Taylor right now currently on I said yesterday,
but September twenty fifth, today's the twenty sixth. Currently on
September twenty sixth, Jonathan Taylor is better than Saquon Barkley
currently now. Over the course of the year, that might change.
But the Jonathan Taylor that I watched on tape, he's back.

(31:04):
And it's not just oh yeah, the offensive line's blocking well,
they're blocking well.

Speaker 3 (31:09):
But you watch that run.

Speaker 4 (31:10):
I think it's twenty seven thirteen, twenty seven to fourteen
around that and you just see him rip open the game. Alexis,
did you see that he's spun moved, He had like
a spin move on two guys and then he broke
like five tackles on that run and housed it. That's
the problem is, as well as the Rams have been tackling,
he's just got the perfect size in speed combo at

(31:34):
the position he could break open the game. So the
hope is that they're going to sell out stop the
run and that'll be that.

Speaker 1 (31:42):
But we'll see, yeah, I'm on the same page. I mean,
I think that the game plan in essence could be
very similar to what they tried to do with the Eagles,
is you know, shutting down your star running back and
not allowing the quarterback to run on you.

Speaker 2 (31:57):
I think it's.

Speaker 1 (31:57):
It's almost a very similar vibe from last week is
where I think if they can shut down Jonathan Taylor,
they can not let Daniel Jones move because he's very
good with his legs and force him to throw the ball,
then they can figure out maybe how to stop this defense.
But then that raises the question of the secondary. Are

(32:18):
they going to be able to kind of lock down
some of these receivers you mentioned, Michael Pittman, no idea,
you know how the Rams are going to choose.

Speaker 2 (32:25):
To encounter that.

Speaker 1 (32:26):
We know that this defense historically gives up yardage to
tight ends. You've got Tyler Warren you're going against. So
it is going to be very interesting to see how
the Rams approach this. But I think that I feel
good about their chances, and especially you know, it's going
to be interesting to see the defensive front if they

(32:47):
can keep up the heat. And Brandon Fisk is from Indiana,
but I think he's from northern Indiana. I don't have
this in front of me, so it's kind of even
though they're playing in California, I'm wondering if he grew
up a Bears fan or a Colts fan. I almost
want to say he actually grew up a Bears fan,

(33:09):
so this might be I feel like I saw this
story somewhere because.

Speaker 4 (33:13):
He's already on the Indiana he's on the cover of
the thumbnail. I just I feel like it's going to
be a big day for Fisk. I don't know why.

Speaker 2 (33:21):
I hope it is.

Speaker 1 (33:22):
I mean, he's playing against the Indiana's team and he's
from Indiana, so either he was a Colts fan or
a Bears fan, hey still counts for something. But Jake,
I want to get into our predictions and we've got
some help, right.

Speaker 4 (33:38):
Yeah, no, And I mean before we get into that,
just quick word from Matthew. Thank you matth the twenty.
We appreciate you as a former offensive lineman. It does
matter who is beside you. Continuity, trust and camaraderie all matters.
I've been saying this, Alexis, you'll appreciate this. Callback to
the Saint Louis Rams, Joe Barksdale. I swear to this

(34:02):
day Joe Barksdale was a good right tackle being held
back by Davin Joseph. Davin Joseph was a good player
on Tampa over the Hill when he got to the Rams,
because the Rams always did that. They would sign guys
that would have been Scott Wells, right, these guys that
were like studs, but they get them at the end
of their career and they wouldn't play as well. Davin
Joseph was such a turnstile. It destroyed Joe Barksdale's career

(34:27):
in Saint Louis.

Speaker 3 (34:28):
They cut him.

Speaker 4 (34:29):
He went over to the Chargers San Diego at the
time and actually ended up being their starter and played
pretty well. So yeah, I always think back to that.
I always think back to him because I was like
they had something there and Davin struggled so much that
it just you kind of get clumped in with the mess, right,

(34:49):
So yeah, it's it's frustrating. And that was back in
the day where I think it was a PFF didn't
have all these nice little databases and everything. It was
just one spreadsheet and had a bunch of numbers and
you know, color coding and oh my god, I remember
the original one. But yeah, that's uh, that's pretty much

(35:11):
all I had to say about that point. But yeah,
let's let's dive into Sleeper. Get a hundred dollars deposit
match up to one hundred dollars using the code JKB
and over on Sleeper, you guys can check out. You
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you guys can sign up and you could play right away.
You get this match play right away. And let's just say,

(35:36):
if you are feeling good about Blake Koram or Kyron Williams,
I mean, you can you know, play on touchdowns and
passing yards and rushing yards and receiving yards and all
that good stuff. So be sure to head on over
to Sleeper if you haven't already, sign up with the
code JKB and get one hundred dollars deposit match up

(35:57):
to one hundred dollars. So, alexis it's that time. It's
prediction you want to go first, Ladies first, all.

Speaker 1 (36:13):
Right, So getting into our three predictions, I think we
are going to see a Jordan Whittington touchdown this game.

Speaker 2 (36:26):
It's my first prediction.

Speaker 1 (36:27):
I wish it didn't have to be that bowl of
a prediction, but based on the way the first three
games have gone, we're gonna count it as a bold
prediction because you know, the red zone hasn't been too hot.
You know, we haven't been feeding really any other receivers
other than Nikua and Adams, So I think that's going
to change this game. And I think Jordan Whittington is
going to score a touchdown. Defensively, you know, I want

(36:50):
to say Kobe Durant interception, Okay, I feel good about that.
I would like to because I think if we can
put pressure on on Daniel Jones to throw, I think
it could happen. Shut down the run, force them to throw,
we get an interception. The defense is gonna have to
step up for us this game as well.

Speaker 2 (37:10):
You know.

Speaker 1 (37:10):
I think that until we can see the offense prove
that they can get hot and score in the red zone,
I think that these Rams games are going to be
very defensively driven, so I'd like to see some turnovers
and defense.

Speaker 2 (37:22):
I feel good about an interception there.

Speaker 1 (37:26):
Last in This is a bold one, guys. I'm really
going for it on this one. But I think the
Rams are going to block kick this game. Oh that's poetic,
and I'm not saying it's going to be like a
game winner. I just I think that the Rams are
going to have that extra like motivation on special teams

(37:49):
to show that they can do it too. So I
think the Rams are going to block kick. So that
that one's my little fun, delusional, bold one, but.

Speaker 3 (37:58):
Damn yeah, yeah, I like it. I like it.

Speaker 4 (38:02):
The last time, as you know, somebody on here called
out something like that, it happened. So I'm hoping you
are right.

Speaker 3 (38:14):
Now.

Speaker 4 (38:14):
I'm hoping it doesn't go the opposite where it's like, oh, yeah,
the Rams gotta kick blocked, which, by the way, I
was Grover Stewart did block Joey Slie's kick last week,
and of course Grover Stewart plays for the Colts, so
it doesn't end. I'll to kind of support your argument there.

Speaker 3 (38:36):
Now. You can look at it in two ways.

Speaker 4 (38:38):
You can look at it, okay, yeah, the Eagles they
did their job, they were just better whatever, or you
can look at the Rams messed up. I think the
Rams are going to take something from this. I think
they're gonna look at Okay, maybe the positioning and how
they were lined up. We don't do that. Maybe we
should start doing that. I think you could see one.
I get it. I totally understand it all right here,

(39:00):
that's what I'm gonna go with. I'm gonna say, in
this game, Braiden Fisk gets six pressures in two sacks. Okay,
I'm very high on Braiden Fisk. I think he's most
likely gonna line up around Tucker, the right guard that's
filling in for Gone Caves Dalton Tucker.

Speaker 3 (39:22):
I think that's a beautiful matchup for him. So I
think we're.

Speaker 4 (39:25):
Gonna see two sacks, six pressures from Braiden Fisk. Who
there's some people out there forgetting what Braiden Fist did
last year. He's been banged up to start the year
and now they're like over him. They're like, oh, I
don't know why he's even gonna play whatever, Come on now,
he's he's a really good player. He's just been banged up.

(39:46):
And keep in mind, he got hurt in that Eagles
playoff game. So the fact that he's even back is
huge because that was a season ending injury. He would
not have been able to play the next game of
the game after that or five games after that. Even so,
that's the thing. Bradon fists two sacks, six pressures. I'm
gonna go with, uh, let's see here. I am gonna

(40:08):
go with, We're gonna see a Puka Nakua red zone touchdown.
I know that's hard to believe, but we are going
to see a Puka Akua red zone touchdown. You might
not have known this, guys, but the Colts are twenty
six the red zone touchdowns scoring, So that's good. But
in addition to that, they're the worst red zone defense

(40:32):
in terms of success rate. They've allowed a touchdown every
single red zone opportunity this year. So while I'm very
high on the Colts, if this is in a get
right game for the red zone offensive operation, I don't
know what is. You're going up against a team that
literally does not stop teams from scoring touchdowns when they

(40:55):
enter the red area. So we'll find out, but I
think we're gonna see a Puka Akua touch down. And then,
last but not least, I'm gonna say we get a
deep bomb to two two at Well. I think we
see a fifty plus yard bomb to two two at
Well to get him going. Whether it's a touchdown or not,

(41:17):
doesn't matter. It's a bold prediction because two to two,
aut Well has three targets and is only caught one
pass for two yards. So we'll take it. So not
as crazy in this one, Fisk. Maybe some people would
say two sacks and six pressures is pretty crazy. Daniel
Jones hasn't been sacked very often, but and Pookinakua, that

(41:38):
wouldn't be a bold thing, except Pooka Akua's touchdowns are
almost always on explosive plays and not in the red area.
I just think something's gotta give here. You already went
with Whittington. I'm expecting a big game out of Whittington.
I think they're gonna use him in the slot. I
think they're gonna take advantage of Mike Hilton out there
or Makai Blackman, whoever they end up going with. But

(41:59):
I I like where the Rams are at in this one.
I think some good things are going to happen. But
that's what I got.

Speaker 1 (42:07):
Well, I hope you're right about the Atwall touchdown. I
just feel like you and I always one of us
always throws that in there.

Speaker 2 (42:13):
I think that was my prediction.

Speaker 3 (42:14):
Not a touchdown. It's just a fifty plus yard play.

Speaker 2 (42:19):
Okay, that's fair. I hope you're right. I just have
been burned too many times I gets But.

Speaker 1 (42:25):
Yeah, those are our predictions, Jake. You want to get
into score predictions, I've got mine.

Speaker 4 (42:32):
I'll throw another bonus one. I think Terrence Ferguson's going
to catch four passes in this game. That's bold because
he hasn't caught a damn pass He hasn't even had
to pass his way.

Speaker 3 (42:42):
Four of them.

Speaker 2 (42:43):
Four passes as your secret fourth.

Speaker 4 (42:46):
Yes, four plus, we'll say, because I don't get it wrong.
If he gets like six, be like okay. Yeah. Jake
is the one that said, like, yeah, so there we go.
Four plus passes caught.

Speaker 3 (42:56):
All right. Let's move on to to the score prediction.

Speaker 1 (43:00):
So I think that the Rams are going to win
this twenty four to seventeen.

Speaker 4 (43:06):
I like the seven point win. I'm gonna go with
thirty to twenty three. I think the Rams offense gets going.
I don't think they stop. I think then it becomes
more the Colts. The Colts do a great job of
driving down the field. Here's the thing that could vode
really well for the Rams. They have a thirty five

(43:27):
point one percent success rate, which is not good, by
the way, on third and long, and the Rams defense
typically is not great on third and long. So something
has to give something. I do think that the Rams
are gonna be able to slow down this Colts offense
a little bit. And so I got thirty to twenty three.

(43:48):
And I don't know who's gonna score the go ahead
touchdown to win the game or whatever, but I feel
like the Rams will be in control of this game,
but it'll look close to the end because it's the
Rams and they always do that.

Speaker 3 (44:05):
That's right.

Speaker 1 (44:06):
We're both predicting a Rams win. Yeah, and that's what matters.
That's what matters, is that we win the game. I
don't care how we do it. I just want to win.
I want to be three and one.

Speaker 4 (44:17):
I got a bonus one. By the way, there's one
NFC West team playing aside from the Rams. I'm gonna
say that the Jacksonville Jaguars beat brock Purty in the
forty nine ers. I think Jacksonvile moves to three and one.

Speaker 2 (44:32):
You agree, I don't.

Speaker 4 (44:34):
I'm not high on Trevor Lawrence. This is not an
admission of guilt, like, oh, yeah, I was wrong.

Speaker 3 (44:39):
No, I was right.

Speaker 4 (44:40):
Trevor Lawrence isn't as good as a lot of people
said he was. But Jaguars defense is legit. Look Out
for Jordan Lewis, look out for Tyson Campbell, look out
for josh Heinz Allen. Look out for Trayvon Walker. It's
legit over there, right, Foil Lukhan and you know Devin Lloyd. No,

(45:00):
I think Jacksonville that's going to be a close game.
And I think Jacksonville is going to find a way
to beat the forty nine ers with Brock Purty in
his return, mark my words, Travis Hunter catches a touchdown.
There we go.

Speaker 2 (45:16):
So now you're throwing up both predictions for not.

Speaker 4 (45:19):
Even I'm just all over the place. I'm off my
rocker over here. I'm just ready for her before you.

Speaker 2 (45:24):
Get too you know, before you get too crazy.

Speaker 4 (45:27):
We got some supers, yes we do, so we're gonna
hit on those. Alex love, Alex, appreciate you. Quick note
earlier in the pod, Ak said Alison, but clearly had
Alison from House of Dragon on her mind due to
a very small obsession with her.

Speaker 3 (45:45):
It's probably true. I'm bullish.

Speaker 2 (45:49):
I'm totally honest.

Speaker 1 (45:52):
Everyone knows how I feel about Alice in Hiitower.

Speaker 2 (45:55):
Okay, we don't need to get into it.

Speaker 1 (45:57):
But I didn't think of her when I was saying it.
But for sure after I said Alice, I thought about it.
But I truthfully just stumbled through Davis and Alan and
combined them.

Speaker 3 (46:10):
It happened.

Speaker 2 (46:10):
Don't know how that happened. And you know what, it
won't be the first.

Speaker 1 (46:13):
Time I've done that on this show. Combining to someone's
first and last name. It has happened probably three to
four times, like semi recently.

Speaker 2 (46:26):
It is what it is.

Speaker 1 (46:27):
Yeah, but thank you Alex and shout out Alison high Tower.

Speaker 4 (46:32):
I had to look it up and now I wish
I didn't. House of the Dragon Season three isn't back
until potentially summer twenty twenty six.

Speaker 1 (46:42):
Oh, it'll for sure at least be summer twenty twenty six.
I'm as like, there's no way they're still filming it
right now.

Speaker 3 (46:48):
That's insane. Wow, it'll be worth it.

Speaker 4 (46:53):
Just hopefully they finished the House of the Dragon series
before you know. I'm married and have kids. But you know,
we'll see h Craig appreciate the five. Can I make
a pick? Thank you? Korum scores from thirty five twenty
five to thirty yards out.

Speaker 3 (47:15):
I like that. I like that. I like you. You're
shooting your shot.

Speaker 1 (47:18):
One.

Speaker 4 (47:19):
Yeah, we appreciate you. Craig, longtime viewer and supporter of
the channel and a member both we got both members there,
so appreciate you.

Speaker 3 (47:30):
Guys.

Speaker 4 (47:30):
With the Supers, this will be a fun game. You know,
the Colts, they're way better than I anticipated them being.
I just want to make that very clear. They are
way better than I thought they were going to be.
And when you watch the film Daniel Jones going up
against that Denver Broncos defense, that was legit. I'm not

(47:51):
as high in the Dolphins, like the Titans. I like
some of the things that they have, but I think
the Colts are legit and I think they're probably going
to win that division because of the how poorly the
Texans got off to and to be fair, the Texans
played the Rams and Bucks I think are two of
the best teams in the NFC. But that said, the
Rams aren't gonna overlook this game. So if you think

(48:11):
for a second that they're looking ahead to the forty
nine Ers game, I'd happily remind you they went to
the Titans, and they beat the Titans, and they left
points on the board on purpose, and they never looked
ahead to the Eagles game, no sign of that.

Speaker 3 (48:28):
This is not that team.

Speaker 4 (48:29):
They know what they need to do, they know what's required,
they know what it takes to win a Super Bowl.
There's no looking ahead. So just wanted to make that clear.
There will be no looking ahead to the Thursday night
game against the forty nine ers, which of course they
will win. But that's all I got there.

Speaker 1 (48:46):
I agree, I agree, and I can't wait to watch.
Hopefully we have a great game on Sunday and a
victory Monday. Jake and I will be tuned in. We'll
be back Monday night recapping that game. But guys, is
always If you like what you hear, please like and subscribe.
You can follow us on social media at Downtown Rams.

(49:07):
We got a super that just Camero.

Speaker 3 (49:13):
Ram's best Uni Combo.

Speaker 4 (49:15):
Thoughts on a rebrand, I'd pass on a rebrand.

Speaker 3 (49:20):
Let it you know, let it simmer, let it cook. Uh.

Speaker 4 (49:24):
But as far as the Uni combo, what they're we're
gonna wear this weekend, the blue with the yellow pants,
I'm really that simple. I think it's the best uniform
the National Football League. It's the best when it was
the regular uniforms. I think it's the best now. So yeah,
I don't know what are your thoughts.

Speaker 3 (49:42):
Alexis.

Speaker 2 (49:44):
I like the white jerseys.

Speaker 3 (49:47):
You like the modern throwback.

Speaker 2 (49:49):
The modern throwback like the white.

Speaker 4 (49:51):
Yeah, yellow pants? I assume, yeah, yeah, no, I agree.
I will give him credit. The all blue they go
well because you have the gradient in the numbers, which
I don't necessarily love, but you have the gradient down
the pant leg, so there is actually like there's some
contrasts there. It's just more so. I don't know if

(50:14):
you have a chance to wear the all blues or
the yellow pants. I think you go with the yellow
pants every single time personally. But that said, yeah that
that would be our favorite uniqu combinations. And Matthew, thank
you for the five Oh, Jake, I knew damn well
was for you. Because of Trevor, he isn't what I
expect to either, but I think he is capable of

(50:35):
going off.

Speaker 3 (50:36):
Possibly.

Speaker 4 (50:38):
I think I think Robert Saula is gonna throw the
kitchen sink and then some at him. Very good defensive coordinator,
but I don't think it's gonna matter because I think
the Jaguars in a very defensive, a tight defensive battle,
are gonna find a way to get it done. I'm
expecting a big turnover late in the game from Brock Purty, who,

(50:59):
by the way, like anyone see that throw he made
the first week of the year, He's thrown into quadruple coverage,
No idea what he was thinking. I think it's gonna
be something like that. But Matthew, appreciate you. Everyone else
appreciate you. Alexis, you have the floor yep.

Speaker 1 (51:16):
Well, guys, as always, if you like what you here,
please like and subscribe. You can follow me on Twitter
at the Alexis Craft. You can follow Jake at JK
Bogan and guys, we will be back Monday night recapping
this game. But as always, stay safe, take care, and
go Rams.