Game Thread: Week 8, 2015: 49ers @ Rams

[Rambunctious]

Nice Game.

 

[Battlelyon]

St. Louis Rams
– The Rams’ defensive line stole the show in this one, led by DT Aaron Donald (+6.6) and DE Robert Quinn (+6.1). They were all over the field making plays, especially when it came to rushing the passer. By the end of the game, the two had combined for a sack, four QB hits, and six hurries. But they also were stout against the run, finishing with +2.6 and +1.8 run defense grades, respectively. After a few weeks of below-average (by their standards) play, this game was more what everyone is used to seeing from these two star players.

– RB Todd Gurley (+1.5) showed his speed on his 71-yard touchdown run, where he went untouched thanks to him absolutely exploding through the hole and outrunning the second-level defenders of the 49ers—all the way to the end zone. But take away that run, and the 49ers’ defense held him to only 62 yards on 19 attempts. He didn’t get much help from his offensive line, as they finished with a combined -12.7 grade, including -9.6 when it came to run blocking. Offensively, the Rams were not great, as they struggled to move the ball, aside from their two long-touchdown plays.

– It was a great day in coverage for the Rams’ trio of S Mark Barron (+4.0), LB Akeem Ayers (+2.0), and CB Janoris Jenkins (+3.4). Barron was targeted eight times, but allowed only three receptions for 19 yards. He also had one pass breakup. Ayers only saw four targets, and allowed two of them to be caught, for a mere 4 yards. But it was his three passes defended (he had one when he wasn’t the primary coverage) that gave him his team-high +3.9 coverage grade. Finally, Jenkins was targeted five times, and allowed just one catch for 3 yards, and a pass defended. It was a good day for a unit that allowed only 162 yards on 39 attempts.

Top Performers:

DT Aaron Donald (+6.6)
DE Robert Quinn (+6.1)
S Mark Barron (+4.0)
CB Janoris Jenkins (+3.4)
LB Akeem Ayers (+2.0)

 

[Battlelyon]

BEST PLAYERS AT EVERY POSITION FOR WEEK 8
KHALED ELSAYED7 HOURS AGO

Six Patriots made our Team of the Week after a big performance on Thursday Night Football. Who else posted games worthy of the roster?

Let’s find out.

Quarterback: Tom Brady, Patriots (+7.6)

Wait, what? No Drew Brees? While Brees posted some eye-popping numbers, it was the brilliance of Brady (with pressure flying at him) that was a true sight to behold. The Patriots’ quarterback is playing as well as he ever has.

Running back: Latavius Murray, Raiders (+2.3)

The Raider finished with 113 yards after forcing four missed tackles to emphasize why he’s the deserved starter in Oakland.

Fullback: Zach Line, Vikings (+3.1)

The Vikings continue to produce fine lead blockers for Adrian Peterson.

Tight end: Rob Gronkowski, Patriots (+1.5)

The unstoppable Gronkowski had another touchdown and was simply too much for Miami to deal with, as he ended the day with 113 yards.

Wide receivers: Julian Edelman, Patriots (+4.3) and Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (+3.6)

It’s not just about yardage, and Edelman’s efforts on Thursday Night Football proved that. Thomas was at his best in feasting on the Packers’ secondary.

Tackles: Jared Veldheer, Cardinals (+4.9) and Kyle Long, Bears (+3.3)

A flawless performance from Veldheer, who is one of the better tackles in the league—and one you don’t hear much credit flying around for. On the right side, it was a nice effort from Long, who is starting to look like more than a makeshift tackle with his quality displays.

Guards: Jeff Allen, Chiefs (+5.1) and Ali Marpet, Buccaneers (+6.5)

There was a time when you wouldn’t see guards dominating Detroit the way Allen did. Not any more. Over in Atlanta, Marpet let loose with the best game of his career, really pulverizing the Falcons with his run blocking.

Center: Matt Slauson, Bears (+2.6)

The Bears, as we mentioned earlier, have had to move some pieces around on the line, so it must be refreshing to see how well guys like Slauson are doing when presented with a totally different challenge.



Each week we put forward a hybrid defense that features two edge rushers (4-3 defensive ends or 3-4 outside linebackers), three players on the “interior” of the defensive line (3-4 defensive ends or defensive tackles) and two linebackers (all inside linebackers and 4-3 outside linebackers).

Defensive interior – ends: J.J. Watt, Texans (+14.9) and Aaron Donald, Rams (+6.6)

There are times when you really need to protect your rookie lineman; having J.J. Watt as the opposition is a great example of such an instance. He wreaked havoc to the tune of three sacks, four hits, and three more hurries in a dominant effort. Donald wasn’t quite at that level, but he still ensured the 49ers’ interior line won’t have much fun reviewing the tape this morning.

Defensive interior – nose: Michael Brockers, Rams (+1.9)

With Brockers spending 27 of his snaps either shading or head-on from the center, we feel comfortable with him at this position—especially after he added three defensive stops in the run game.

Edge rushers: Khalil Mack, Raiders (+7.0) and Cameron Jordan, Saints (+6.8)

Greg Hardy is a little unlucky to not make the team, but the pure pass-rushing brilliance of Jordan earned him the nod. Eight hurries got lost in the score-fest that was the Giants’ trip to Louisiana, but it was a remarkable effort. Each week, Mack just goes about his business—and each week, we’re impressed. He’s spearheading the Raiders’ return to relevance.

Linebackers: Dont’a Hightower, Patriots (+4.3) and K.J. Wright, Seahawks (+3.7)

The versatile Hightower is doing a lot of good work in his role as sub package pass rusher, but he’s still contributing on the early downs. Wright earned high marks for his work in coverage that saw Dallas receivers limited on their yards after the catch.

Cornerbacks: Richard Sherman, Seahawks (+5.1) and Janoris Jenkins, Rams (+3.4)

It hasn’t been his best season so far, but Sherman showed he hasn’t lost a step. Thrown at five times, he allowed just one reception and broke up the other four passes. Jenkins is quietly having his best season yet, and this was his highest-graded performance on a year that has seen him earn positive scores in each game.

Safeties: Patrick Chung, Patriots (+3.1) and Duron Harmon, Patriots (+3.0)

Double trouble for the Dolphins, with both Patriots safety having fine efforts. You don’t need to play every snap to make a huge impact.

Kicker: Justin Tucker, Ravens

Is there any player you’d trust more than Tucker to kick a game-winner?

Punter: Johnny Hekker, Rams

You almost feel bad for the ball when Hekker charges that leg up.

Returner: Marcus Sherels, Vikings

He didn’t have a lot to do, but boy, did he do it well.

 

[Vitamike]

– RB Todd Gurley (+1.5) showed his speed on his 71-yard touchdown run, where he went untouched thanks to him absolutely exploding through the hole and outrunning the second-level defenders of the 49ers—all the way to the end zone. But take away that run, and the 49ers’ defense held him to only 62 yards on 19 attempts. He didn’t get much help from his offensive line, as they finished with a combined -12.7 grade, including -9.6 when it came to run blocking. Offensively, the Rams were not great, as they struggled to move the ball, aside from their two long-touchdown plays.

Here is why I dislike these matrix for FF. Sure the line looked bad for most of the game but why the two long runs if they were so bad? Because the 9ers were selling out and had no safety back to make the crucial play on those two long runs.

If they had kept them back for most of the game then the Rams OL would have had much better success for the most part and would have graded out much higher, too so would have Gurley.