Week-3 Rams

[MISKO]

Discuss

 

[Psych-Ward]

Which Rams show up...
The ones that went toe to toe with the Seahags
Or the ones who couldn't handle a weak Washington team???

 

[MISKO]

the rams and seattle are like us and the ravens they play each other hard and the game is a toss up

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I agree with Misko. Divisional play is a whole other type of beast. You're gauranteed to see the best from your opponent regardless of rank/record.

We should see a better showing from the Yams (nickname passed down from my father). They'll be hungry for a rebound, so don't expect them to roll over.

Matching up... Their defense is going to need a lot of help from their secondary if they want to hang with PIT's offense. They have a great D-line so rushing yards will be harder to come by. I expect to see Ben dumping the ball off to Bell a lot this game. But I also wouldn't doubt that either Bell or D-Will will rack up decent yardage because the O-line is playing lights out. Our defense matches up pretty well with their offense. They don't necessarily have anyone that scares you, but they are talented. The battle will be decided in the trenches. Our D-line needs to step up big like they did against the 9ers. Foles isn't a quick-release QB so the pressure should be there. If the safeties can continue to improve, combined with the solid front 7 play, then they will have a tough time moving the ball on the Steelers.

I'm taking the Steelers 32-17

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[Superbelt]

Don't say that, dude.... That's bad juju.

 

[SJ76]

Not sure what to expect from the Rams. Very inconsistent, but we do get up for big games.

Can we keep up with your offense? Can we keep our defense off the field. Our D can get to big Ben, but not sure if we can cover your WRs and Laveon Bell is coming back.

AND I expect more Steelers fans in the seats than Rams fans.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Which Rams show up...
The ones that went toe to toe with the Seahags
Or the ones who couldn't handle a weak Washington team???

At home I would expect the ones that went toe to toe with SEA.

I haven't really had a chance to dive into this game much yet, but from what I have seen on the surface...keep it balanced with Bell and Williams...I'm on record saying Bell should split carries this week and even after taken on more of a 60/40 or 65/35 snap count with Williams to keep both fresher as the weeks tick off.

If they can stay balanced the OFC will go for 24-27 pts...although the OL has played well so far that will be a tough challenge...SF nor NE has the horses up front like STL.

I view the Ram DL as better than our OL...on paper anyway...Haley may have to go to the air early to soften that DL up, but Haley has been closed to 50/50 run pass so I think he will have a similar mix for this game. Beach vs Quinn...gotta give Quinn some running back to think about to keep him from teeing off on Ben.

The big question mark is DEF...the entire DEF played much better last week, but I'm still skeptical of the backend...Cockrell got significant snaps last week at CB...albeit in a blowout game, but Butler was able to see him out there in live action. Safety play has to continue to improve...Mitchell played markedly better, but Allen, gave up another long TD...

Outcome...Vegas is not real sure about this one either, most lines are Steelers -1...I think the Steeler OFC is too versatile to be totally shutdown by any DEF...Rams have some young play makers on OFC, but if the front 7 can handle the run...I like PIT to win this game.

24-20 Steelers

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I agree with Misko. Divisional play is a whole other type of beast. You're gauranteed to see the best from your opponent regardless of rank/record.

We should see a better showing from the Yams (nickname passed down from my father). They'll be hungry for a rebound, so don't expect them to roll over.

Matching up... Their defense is going to need a lot of help from their secondary if they want to hang with PIT's offense. They have a great D-line so rushing yards will be harder to come by. I expect to see Ben dumping the ball off to Bell a lot this game. But I also wouldn't doubt that either Bell or D-Will will rack up decent yardage because the O-line is playing lights out. Our defense matches up pretty well with their offense. They don't necessarily have anyone that scares you, but they are talented. The battle will be decided in the trenches. Our D-line needs to step up big like they did against the 9ers. Foles isn't a quick-release QB so the pressure should be there. If the safeties can continue to improve, combined with the solid front 7 play, then they will have a tough time moving the ball on the Steelers.

I'm taking the Steelers 32-17

Ambitious my friend!

I like it!

I was more conservative here because it's on the road, and I'm not sure yet of the backend of the DEF...Tuitt and Heyward had good games last week...much like you said...front 7...different kind of challenge from last week though...Foles is not going to try to beat you running...if we can limit their run game (they have struggled running) and get after Foles and get a turnover or 2...I can see a score like yours happening.

As it stands, I don't expect 150 yds on the ground this week, but I still want to see 20-25 rush attempts.

 

[Superbelt]

Inter-division games are always different than the rest of a teams games. You play your rivals tough even when you suck. I expect the Real Rams to be closer to the one that played Washington.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Inter-division games are always different than the rest of a teams games. You play your rivals tough even when you suck. I expect the Real Rams to be closer to the one that played Washington.

Bold prediction. But valid.

Jeff Fisher is a good coach. I think he will have his troop ready to rebound.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Inter-division games are always different than the rest of a teams games. You play your rivals tough even when you suck. I expect the Real Rams to be closer to the one that played Washington.

I think every game outside of your DIV is a little different...goes w/o saying that you know you DIV opponents better so unless there are turnovers, short fields, etc...those games tend to be closer.

This Ram game is pretty simple...if the Steeler OL plays like they have the 1st weeks they should win because they can run and pass effectively...but, if Haley goes in there and tries to bull doze the Rams with Bell or Williams they're going to get stuffed and put Ben into 3rd and long which imo exposes the OTs on the road...I don't like the thought of what might happen.

Stay balanced, but he might have to come out firing 1st.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steelers Injury Report: Daniel McCullers and Ryan Shazier sit out of Wednesday's practice

Sounds like both are just precautionary. Swelling showed up in Big Dan's knee after the game. And Shazier's shoulder we already knew about. Both will be ready to go against the Yams

 

[Clayton]

Inter-division games are always different than the rest of a teams games. You play your rivals tough even when you suck. I expect the Real Rams to be closer to the one that played Washington.

Seahawks did beat the Rams pretty consistently for almost a decade and the Rams haven't had a good record against the rest of the NFC West after Fisher's first year. I believe they went 1-5 last year, for example. That said...

Nick Foles Week 1: 18/27, 297 Yds
Nick Foles Week 2: 17/32, 150 Yds

5 more attempts and just half of the production and against a lesser defense. If the Real Rams are the Week 2 Rams then they are a 1-15 team.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Seahawks did beat the Rams pretty consistently for almost a decade and the Rams haven't had a good record against the rest of the NFC West after Fisher's first year. I believe they went 1-5 last year, for example. That said...

Nick Foles Week 1: 18/27, 297 Yds
Nick Foles Week 2: 17/32, 150 Yds

5 more attempts and just half of the production and against a lesser defense. If the Real Rams are the Week 2 Rams then they are a 1-15 team.

I look at the 1st two games as strictly a home and away performance...so I'm expecting a performance closer to week 1...Steelers have their work cut out to get this win.

How has Robinson looked early at LT?

 

[Clayton]

I look at the 1st two games as strictly a home and away performance...so I'm expecting a performance closer to week 1...Steelers have their work cut out to get this win.

How has Robinson looked early at LT?

The oline has been fairly bad. Its hard to isolate just one person. As far as I can tell, Saffold and Jamon Brown have played well and the other 3 spots including Robinson are big weaknesses. Tavon Austin is averaging 7 yards a carry while the rest of the team is at 3.7 which isn't actually all that bad. I believe Foles got sacked 4 times against the Redskins which is probably a much worse stat.

The Steelers should be the favorite in this but the Steelers almost played too well in week 2 and the Rams almost played too poorly. I suspect this will be a close game but with the Rams nothing would surprise me at this point.

A couple of fans have noted that when teams go 3 TE set against the Rams, James Laurinaitis gets completely wiped out and the dline overpursues and the Rams become really vulnerable to the run.

I think the Rams hit 8 big plays of 20 yards or more against Seattle. Obviously that didn't happen against the Redskins. Id imagine that STL will try to hit big plays against Pittsburgh but we'll see how successful they'll be.

Gurley might play, too. I suspect that even if he plays, Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt will still be the top 2 targets for Foles. If Foles has a repeat of week 2, though, then the Rams will get slaughtered.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

The oline has been fairly bad. Its hard to isolate just one person. As far as I can tell, Saffold and Jamon Brown have played well and the other 3 spots including Robinson are big weaknesses. Tavon Austin is averaging 7 yards a carry while the rest of the team is at 3.7 which isn't actually all that bad. I believe Foles got sacked 4 times against the Redskins which is probably a much worse stat.

The Steelers should be the favorite in this but the Steelers almost played too well in week 2 and the Rams almost played too poorly. I suspect this will be a close game but with the Rams nothing would surprise me at this point.

A couple of fans have noted that when teams go 3 TE set against the Rams, James Laurinaitis gets completely wiped out and the dline overpursues and the Rams become really vulnerable to the run.

I think the Rams hit 8 big plays of 20 yards or more against Seattle. Obviously that didn't happen against the Redskins. Id imagine that STL will try to hit big plays against Pittsburgh but we'll see how successful they'll be.

Gurley might play, too. I suspect that even if he plays, Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt will still be the top 2 targets for Foles. If Foles has a repeat of week 2, though, then the Rams will get slaughtered.

Good analysis dude!

I agree with you & ATL that this should be a much closer matchup than people are predicting. I'm excited to see if our young D continues to improve. Improved play on the road would be a good step in the right direction.

Quick question... What's the deal with Brian Quick? All offseason I heard he was healthy since his injury last season, but he has yet to make it onto the field this season? Is he suffering setbacks, or is he in the Fisher-Dog-House? He was a great playmaker until his injury last year.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

The oline has been fairly bad. Its hard to isolate just one person. As far as I can tell, Saffold and Jamon Brown have played well and the other 3 spots including Robinson are big weaknesses. Tavon Austin is averaging 7 yards a carry while the rest of the team is at 3.7 which isn't actually all that bad. I believe Foles got sacked 4 times against the Redskins which is probably a much worse stat.

The Steelers should be the favorite in this but the Steelers almost played too well in week 2 and the Rams almost played too poorly. I suspect this will be a close game but with the Rams nothing would surprise me at this point.

A couple of fans have noted that when teams go 3 TE set against the Rams, James Laurinaitis gets completely wiped out and the dline overpursues and the Rams become really vulnerable to the run.

I think the Rams hit 8 big plays of 20 yards or more against Seattle. Obviously that didn't happen against the Redskins. Id imagine that STL will try to hit big plays against Pittsburgh but we'll see how successful they'll be.

Gurley might play, too. I suspect that even if he plays, Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt will still be the top 2 targets for Foles. If Foles has a repeat of week 2, though, then the Rams will get slaughtered.

Robinson...just curious...most felt he should be RT or OG, so LT kind of surprised me.

Gurley...big fan...I've heard he has not gone full bore in practice, more like 3/4 speed...if true, I probably wouldn't play him unless he's able to full out in practice, but we shall see...doubtful PIT has game planned for him.

Week 3...yep...the Steelers are not 25 pts better than any team imo...everything worked last week. The biggest improvement from week 1 to week 2 had to be the DEF, and it was...still shaky at S imo. I would not be surrpised to see another 4 or 5 20 yd+ plays.

The beauty of the Steeler OFC is they can now run and pass effectively...the chore for Haley this week is keeping the Rams off balance...close game imo too...I think my score was 24-20 PIT.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

The beauty of the Steeler OFC is they can now run and pass effectively...the chore for Haley this week is keeping the Rams off balance...close game imo too...I think my score was 24-20 PIT.

His other biggest chore will be to keep up the RZ success. He'd be foolish if he thinks he can hand the ball off in the RZ against this Rams d-line like he did last week against the 9ers and think he'll have the same success.

Rams d-line is a completely different animal

 

[ATL96Steeler]

His other biggest chore will be to keep up the RZ success. He'd be foolish if he thinks he can hand the ball off in the RZ against this Rams d-line like he did last week against the 9ers and think he'll have the same success.

Rams d-line is a completely different animal

Yep...RZ was outstanding last week, but like I said...idt they are really 25 pts better than any team yet...(if they played SF next week in PIT again the game would be closer) but 1st home game...after a loss, they were geeked to get that W. Kinda why I think BAL will beat CIN this week...they are the more desperate team.

STL will be keying on Bell...if it were me...hit the short passing game early (including Bell) and work backwards to the run. IDK what Donald plays...2, 3, or 4 technique from their even front 4...either way...Wallace and DeCastro have to play their best game of the year. Beach backs down to no one so I'm very interested to see the Quinn matchup.