Rams post-game thoughts

[swede]

First, I have to hand it to the Rams...they had nothing to play for except honor, pride, and dignity and they battled the whole game.

33-14 sound like an ass-kicking but it was just taking care of business against a team that still had enough class to play hard at the end of a bad season. No big injuries--that's good.

There was a lot of talk during the TV broadcast of how Packers were arm tackling and grabbing. But Stephen Jackson was a beast today, as Hurley Fan sagely predicted he'd be, and any defender that couldn't hit him smack-ass square would just bounce off the dude.

Speaking of bad tackling, Poppy's whiff on a potential safety-producing tackle was kind of disgusting. It doesn't say much for Brady PeePee's football instincts if he acts surprised to find a running back at the line of scrimmage.

Anybody know Bulger well-enough to explain that look on his face? Every time he came off the field he looked like a kid does when he is the only good player on a sucky team. He throws a great ball but he doesn't seem like a great leader. And I agree with Fritz Don't Blitz about the guy ducking his head on every sack. I think Barnett got his hand inside the guy's helmet at one point when Nick was aiming for his waist.

Part of me says this was a disappointing win that wasn't as dominating as it should have been. And Brett's two long picks were reminiscent of the game in Dallas.

But I think it is better to say that the team found a way to win against a team that is nowhere near as bad as its record seems to indicate. Dallas had trouble doing that with the Eagles, and they were playing at home.

The next challenge is to beat Chicago, in what will undoubtedly be a very physical game, without getting anyone injured going into January. Let's keep the pressure on Dallas!

[PlantPage55]

Re: Rams post-game thoughts

Anybody know Bulger well-enough to explain that look on his face? Every time he came off the field he looked like a kid does when he is the only good player on a sucky team.

Oh, I've seen that one before! I call it....the Peyton!

[swede]

Re: Rams post-game thoughts

Anybody know Bulger well-enough to explain that look on his face? Every time he came off the field he looked like a kid does when he is the only good player on a sucky team.

Oh, I've seen that one before! I call it....the Peyton!

[Deputy Nutz]

I find it ridiculous to call this a disappointing win. You wouldn't be saying that last year. You could call it sloppy, but disappointing, crazy.

[4and12to12and4]

My wife and I were laughing as I rewound that about 6 times, and if he doesn't just sit down, he makes Barnett pull one of those flybys we came accustomed to seeing him do. He won't be sacking Romo with that crap, that's for sure. But, good insight, it was a weird game. We kind of kicked there ass as far as the score, but while watching the game, it seemed like their offense was on the field 70% of the time, and if not for the turnovers, who knows. Jackson was running pissed off today. My lord, we've got a very reliable team in terms of wrapping up guys and reducing YAC and running plays, but, he was making EVERYONE on our defense look slow and weak. When you look at their offense, you wonder why they aren't a better team. Is is the defense, or injuries, or their lines? Or is their QB, like you said, just not a good leader or a "winner". I can't believe I'm so spoiled this year already that today's victory didn't have me jumping up and down. What a fickle fan. To even expect to be 12-2 is sick. I probably would have bet every dime I have and my business that we wouldn't be 12-2, that's how ungodly crazy this is. NOONE expected this, even Favre doesn't believe it. But, that's what's great about it. He's got the experience to keep calm about it all, he's seen it all, and that's why I think we are actually the favorite going into the postseason, Favre with all this young talent and great offensive scheming is going to be fun to watch.

[RashanGary]

Jackson is a BEAST and he looked 100% healthy today. He's the best back we've played all year IMO. We played LT And LJ and I think Jackson is tougher to tackle than either of them and just as fast.

[4and12to12and4]

Jackson is a BEAST and he looked 100% healthy today. He's the best back we've played all year IMO. We played LT And LJ and I think Jackson is tougher to tackle than either of them and just as fast.

I think you're right there. LT was is phenominal, but Jackson is much stronger. What's scary is that Adrian Peterson is probably the best back we've played against, because he seems faster than Jackson, yet just as strong, but Jackson ran harder than Peterson, and we stacked the line against Minny, cuz their passing game sucked in the games we played 'em.

[FritzDontBlitz]

Jackson is a huge back with breakaway speed. He made some great cuts earlier in the game and killed the defense until they learned to stay at home on the backside. Once they stopped overpursuing they were able to minimize his effectiveness.

I believe there's a serious lack of discipline behind St. Louis' crappy won/loss record. They positively lost it late in the game: two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a row, one for the sidelines antics of Jim Haslett I suspect. I am wondering if he is letting Scott Linehan lead the team, or is he undermining him in some way.

[gbpackfan]

Diappointing win? That doesn't even make sense. Some of you need to start enjoying this season instead of looking for reasons not to.

[4and12to12and4]

Diappointing win? That doesn't even make sense. Some of you need to start enjoying this season instead of looking for reasons not to.

You have never been righter.

[Badgerinmaine]

GBPack Fan's right--how cool is being 12-2?
That said, I'd agree with the props for the Rams, especially considering how many people in their own building were rooting for Green Bay. Jackson is as good at taking people head-on as anyone I've seen--it reminded me of how Earl Campbell could do that decades ago for the Oilers.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Steven Jackson has been one of the three best RBs in the NFL for about 2-3 years. He's awesome. If he stays healthy, he'll be a Hall of Famer. A real game changer. I really don't think there are that many game changers in the NFL at RB, but Jackson, LT, and Adrian Peterson are at the top.

[oregonpackfan]

Some of my thoughts of the game:

1. The Packers defense was just so-so in the first half. At one point, the game was tied at 14 with Bulger moving the team for another touchdown. His accurate pass bounced off a receiver's hands right to Bigby. The Packers converted the turnover to go into halftime at just 17-14. Had not that turnover taken place, the Packers could have been down 21-14 at half.

2. At times Favre looked great and other times he reverted to boneheaded passes. He completed his first 9 passes to 8 different receivers. His two interceptions where long passes where the ball was thrown up for grabbs. On a crucial third and 1, he threw long and missed the receiver. At the same time, he had a receiver open in the flat. McCarthy gave him an earful for that.

3. Barnett had a great game with 13 tackles, including 2 sacks. He was particularly effective in the first half. I thought all 3 linebackers played well. Poppinga had that terrible missed tackle at the Rams' goal line but he had other good plays.

4. Koren Robinson had two outstanding kickoff returns. They gave the Packers great field position.

5. Mason Crosby had his finest game as a kicker. He made all 4 field goal attempts. For kickoffs, I think all of them reached the goal line. I counted 2 touchbacks.

6. It was highly fitting that Donald Driver catch Favre's pass to break Marino's record for most passing yards. Driver also had a great run after catching a pass earlier in the game.

7. The Packers had difficulty stopping Jackson. He is just a rare speciman of power, speed, and moves. Most good teams would have trouble containing him.

Overall, it was a very good team effort and an important road win to gain the playoff bye.

[FritzDontBlitz]

Diappointing win? That doesn't even make sense. Some of you need to start enjoying this season instead of looking for reasons not to.

Well said.

[outflow]

disappointing win?

I have the same thoughts as Vandermause. I defintely think this win is one of the more impressive ones.

It just shows the depth of ways the Packers can win. This win now gives the teams in the playoffs added reason to look at our whole team.

My other post game thought was this. During many times of this season alot of emphasis from the media types was that Favre no longer had friends on this team. Watching that Jennings play, and the strong connection he obviously has with Driver I would say that is way overblown. He seems to be about as in touch/silent communication with these receivers that may start to rival that of the Super Bowl years.

achillies heel remains the short game. But, with a couple of games left in the regular season I have a sneaking suspicion that M3 will just use that as motivation.