Finally Had The Courage To Watch The Game

AROS

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Grabbed a glass of wine and sat down and started the game. I already knew the outcome of course and Sam’s awful picks so it allowed me to just watch the game without elevated blood pressure or concern.

I was curious why this narrative I kept hearing about all week from numerous media and talking heads would have the nerve to suggest even in the loss we were the better team.

Well, after watching the entire game I would have to agree. The Rams were awfully good recipients of Sam’s generosity. Without question. Without rambling on ad naseum, some basic takeaways. Not revolutionary stuff mind you, think of it as jotting down personal notes of sorts.

1) Darnold had some real stinker throws. News flash! Yeah, I know. But what impressed me was his ability to not shrivel and shrink. He kept battling, kept focused and still made several fantastic plays to move the ball forward where some QBs would have folded. I still strongly believe he has the very real potential to be our franchise QB.

2) Rams weren’t prepared for our physicality. Several plays I couldn’t help but giggle watching them wince and the hits that would make Bam Bam Kam shake his head up and down with approval. The original Enforcer as well, RIP Kenny.

3) Coby Bryant is a DOG.

4) Defense was put in a lot of crap positions. I couldn’t have been more impressed with their stoutness and tenacity. They were not perfect. Gave up yards they shouldn’t have here and there and they would be the first to say it but overall? Elite. Top 5 no question.

5) I hate the Rams so much I want to throw things at my beautiful TV just seeing them on it. I used to really like Stafford and his story but now he’s won the Super Bowl, is the face of the franchise at 37 and looks like Mr. Ed. Puka (“puke-a” I call him because I hate he’s not a Seahawk) makes me so angry. When Bryant punched that ball out I think I cheered so loudly I farted.

6) It creeps me out how many chances we had to win that game. The good news? I don’t see Sam ever throwing 4 picks again, not only this season but maybe for the rest of his career. That had more to do with his trying too hard than anything the Rams defense was doing.

7) Ultimately, despite the warts of the game, I too came away with the utter feeling that we were and are the better team. It’s sad that the records won’t reflect that and that could hurt us in the end in regards to playoff seeding, but, gawdammit we have ourselves a fine, fine football team. This game reminds me of the 2012 Falcons playoff game where the loss was greatly disappointing but you knew…KNEW they would be great the next year.

Our time is coming. And very, very soon.

BELIEVE IT.
 

Jac

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7) Ultimately, despite the warts of the game, I too came away with the utter feeling that we were and are the better team. It’s sad that the records won’t reflect that and that could hurt us in the end in regards to playoff seeding, but, gawdammit we have ourselves a fine, fine football team. This game reminds me of the 2012 Falcons playoff game where the loss was greatly disappointing but you knew…KNEW they would be great the next year.

Our time is coming. And very, very soon.

BELIEVE IT.

I feel like we're at least one year ahead of schedule. This is a wonderfully constructed and coached roster, and we're still very much on the upward trajectory with our team lifecycle. It's only going to get better.
 

Ruminator

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This was an extremely difficult game for me to watch live. Had to turn the TV off for much of it.

The Rams have their strengths, but as others have noted, they were not the better team. It's not like we were facing some powerhouse 9-0 team. Had Darnold thrown "only" three interceptions and/or if Seattle coaches had managed the clock a little better during the fourth quarter, then boom, 8-2 record for Seattle. But the four ints, plus a couple of weird plays that helped the Rams immensely greatly (particularly that coffin corner kick that bounced out at the last available square-inch piece of field).

The biggest wish on my list right now in terms of NFL football is for Sam to get the Rams monkey off his back, and stomp it to a pulp, come December 18 at Lumen.
 

SoulfishHawk

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If that punt doesn't land inside the one, they win that game. I will never be convinced of anything else.
Even WITH 4 picks, a TD called back and another throw about 6 inches higher from being another TD. Hawks put up over 400 yards and 26 first downs against that "elite defense" and the Rams had around 250 yards. Sometimes you just lose a game you have no business losing.
 

hox

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Why not SB level? The SB window is open right now. Not because the Hawks have no weaknesses, but because all other contenders have flaws as well.

Our defense can stop any offense.

Our offense can score against almost any defense. (teams with strong interior pass rush can be an issue)

And the AFC teams just aren't that scary this year.
 
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Jac

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Why not SB level? The SB window is open right now. Not because the Hawks have no weaknesses, but because all other contenders have flaws as well.

Our defense can stop any offense.

Our offense can score against almost any defense. (teams with strong interior pass rush can be an issue)

And the AFC teams just aren't that scary this year.

Yes, this defense could go on a run and win a SB on its own. And it’s not like we don’t have an explosive offense. All they need to do is not put the defense in a bad spot. Winning it all is going to be hard for every playoff team this year, but one team will ultimately manage it.
 

LeveeBreak

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I don’t think we are at the level we were when we won a Super Bowl but that doesn’t mean we aren’t ready to play in and win one.
Agree...I think we can compete with and beat any team in the NFL. Texans beat the Bills, KC might not make the playoffs, we should have beat the Lambs, and the Eagles don't appear unbeatable. I like our chances.

Kinda fun to compare our this roster against the SB team...they are so different in how they go about business.

In some ways, I think our current D has the potential to be better than our LOB days. Maybe blasphemy to some, but IMO, MacDaddy is a superior defensive mind to any coaches then, including Pete. Our players are skilled at all positions and we have better depth.

As much as I loved Russ back then, I prefer the timing based O we currently run. Our OL was better, but not a bunch of all-stars either (Okung, Carpenter, Unger, Sweezy, McQuistan). Looking forward to see what another draft can do for the current group. Lynch clearly tilted the field, but JSN might be our best WR all time (no dogging on Largent, he was exceptional...and so is JSN).

The comparison is scrappy/edgy vs disciplined. Both fun to watch. Glad to have a team we can realistically compare against the 2013 squad and not be frustrated in the process.
 

chris98251

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Grabbed a glass of wine and sat down and started the game. I already knew the outcome of course and Sam’s awful picks so it allowed me to just watch the game without elevated blood pressure or concern.

I was curious why this narrative I kept hearing about all week from numerous media and talking heads would have the nerve to suggest even in the loss we were the better team.

Well, after watching the entire game I would have to agree. The Rams were awfully good recipients of Sam’s generosity. Without question. Without rambling on ad naseum, some basic takeaways. Not revolutionary stuff mind you, think of it as jotting down personal notes of sorts.

1) Darnold had some real stinker throws. News flash! Yeah, I know. But what impressed me was his ability to not shrivel and shrink. He kept battling, kept focused and still made several fantastic plays to move the ball forward where some QBs would have folded. I still strongly believe he has the very real potential to be our franchise QB.

2) Rams weren’t prepared for our physicality. Several plays I couldn’t help but giggle watching them wince and the hits that would make Bam Bam Kam shake his head up and down with approval. The original Enforcer as well, RIP Kenny.

3) Coby Bryant is a DOG.

4) Defense was put in a lot of crap positions. I couldn’t have been more impressed with their stoutness and tenacity. They were not perfect. Gave up yards they shouldn’t have here and there and they would be the first to say it but overall? Elite. Top 5 no question.

5) I hate the Rams so much I want to throw things at my beautiful TV just seeing them on it. I used to really like Stafford and his story but now he’s won the Super Bowl, is the face of the franchise at 37 and looks like Mr. Ed. Puka (“puke-a” I call him because I hate he’s not a Seahawk) makes me so angry. When Bryant punched that ball out I think I cheered so loudly I farted.

6) It creeps me out how many chances we had to win that game. The good news? I don’t see Sam ever throwing 4 picks again, not only this season but maybe for the rest of his career. That had more to do with his trying too hard than anything the Rams defense was doing.

7) Ultimately, despite the warts of the game, I too came away with the utter feeling that we were and are the better team. It’s sad that the records won’t reflect that and that could hurt us in the end in regards to playoff seeding, but, gawdammit we have ourselves a fine, fine football team. This game reminds me of the 2012 Falcons playoff game where the loss was greatly disappointing but you knew…KNEW they would be great the next year.

Our time is coming. And very, very soon.

BELIEVE IT.
The Atlanta Game where Pete called the time out and the kicker missed the Field Goal, they allowed the time out and negated the kick, when he tried again he made it and we lost. Yes we won that game essentially, but that was one of the first real headscratchers of game management we were to experience going forward. However the setting was a precurser to us arriving. Nothing was going to really stop that team going forward, not even Pete's challange flags or weird Time outs.
 

Somos doces

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This was an extremely difficult game for me to watch live. Had to turn the TV off for much of it.
Yes, I imagine it would be virtually impossible to watch football on a TV that’s not on. 🙃

Anyway, I agree with the OP and your comment.
 
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