Week 8: Packers at Rams

[SoonerPack]

Anytime you have the best QB in the NFL on your team you definitely have a chance. That's what makes this game hard to figure for me. On top of that I suspect Rams fans will be outnumbered Sunday. I'm not going to lie - it's been so long since we've beaten the Packers....2006 I think....that I want this game. I want to blow the Packers out. We've never even come close to beating Rodgers.

And at first I was pretty cocky, thinking it would be a blowout - but the more I think about it, the more I think it'll be a relatively close game.

Nice to have you here buddy. You have a lot to be excited about with your team right now. Live it up! I see a lot of similarities between you guys and the Seahawks of years past. When only a tiny percentage of your cap is dedicated to your QB you have immense flexibility to go out and make splash signing after splash signing. I say GO FOR IT!! The window of winning a title can be small so while you don't want to completely mortgage the future you have to seize the opportunity while it's there.

As for the game itself, we are going to have to play really well to win. I am not expecting a win but won't be absolutely shocked if we do.

 

[HardRightEdge]

You obviously didn't watch the Brewer-Dodger series? I was a big baseball fan in the 90's but gave it up due to salaries skyrocketing and no cap. Call me a Bandwagon Brewer fan, because I jumped on it early August and remembered why I enjoyed the game so much. The Brewer Manager, Craig Council is like a master Chess player with limited pieces. Some of the moves he made during that Dodger series were just plain fun to watch. A lot of strikeouts for both teams due to excellent pitching, but not a lot of homeruns, just solid, well managed, fun to watch baseball.

I can't say I watched any baseball after the Braves were eliminated, and probably won't unless the Series goes to 7 games, but there are a few things that can be gleaned from the Milwaukee-LA box scores.

While there were only 9 HRs in that 7 game series by my count that doesn't mean they were not swinging for the fences. This season was the first in MLB history where strikeouts exceeded hits, and that was writ large in this series:

hits: 112
strikeous: 161
walks: 46

With all the shifts being employed, the ability to hit to the opposite field, the art of hitting, is in short supply. I see speedy left handed hitters trying to pull against the shift when even just pushing or dribbling one to the 3rd. base side is a gimme. Evidently the upper cutting "swing plane" is all the rage--try pulling it over the infield and see what happens. Where are your Wade Boggs or Rod Carews who would kill any shift going the other way?

The game has been stripped of nearly all the small ball except the walk. I get it. Bill James, et. al., demonstrated that a walk is as good as a hit (almost), there's no edge in trying to steal a base (except for a very select few players), giving up outs in a sacrifice or a hit-and-run is on balance a losing proposition. But that doesn't make the game interesting to watch. And I doubt this strikeout-to-hit ratio is quite what Bill James had in mind.

Craig Council may have been a master chess player, but when the manager, and not the player, is the key point of interest then somethings amiss. I would note that Council's team lost, and they struck out a ton. So, there's that.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Nice to have you here buddy. You have a lot to be excited about with your team right now. Live it up! I see a lot of similarities between you guys and the Seahawks of years past. When only a tiny percentage of your cap is dedicated to your QB you have immense flexibility to go out and make splash signing after splash signing. I say GO FOR IT!! The window of winning a title can be small so while you don't want to completely mortgage the future you have to seize the opportunity while it's there.

As for the game itself, we are going to have to play really well to win. I am not expecting a win but won't be absolutely shocked if we do.

So this brings up an interesting question for posters, let's throw the Patriots out of the discussion. Would you rather be a fan of a franchise like the Packers, who seem to be in the conversation every year or a fan of a team like the Seahawks, Cardinals, Falcons, Eagles, Rams. Who seem to put it together with some smart draft picks and Free agent signings, but Fizzle out not being able to maintain due to the cap?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Craig Council may have been a master chess player, but when the manager, and not the players, is the key point of interest then somethings amiss. I would note that Council's team lost, and they struck out a ton.

Oh I would say the Brewer players were fun to watch too. I mean NL MVP with Christian Yelich, Braun, Hader, Cain, Mustakas? They just happen to run into a good Dodger Pitching staff as well as a team who's total payroll was almost double that of the Brewers. Which is where I believe Council, Stearns and Attanasio have to be given a ton of credit for fielding such a competitive team. Sadly, without a cap in MLB, I doubt that window stays open for very long for the Brewers.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Oh I would say the Brewer players were fun to watch too. I mean NL MVP with Christian Yelich, Braun, Hader, Cain, Mustakas? They just happen to run into a good Dodger Pitching staff as well as a team who's total payroll was almost double that of the Brewers. Which is where I believe Council, Stearns and Attanasio have to be given a ton of credit for fielding such a competitive team. Sadly, without a cap in MLB, I doubt that window stays open for very long for the Brewers.

I'm not debating who has the better team, or why, in the context of how the game is played today. I really don't care. It's how the game is played, the context itself, that is at issue for me. Striking out a ton is not a very exciting offense, and Milwakee's perfornace in that series in that regard is just one example of a game-wide issue.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm not debating who has the better team, or why, in the context of how the game is played today. I really don't care. It's how the game is played, the context itself, that is at issue for me. Striking out a ton is not a very exciting offense, and Milwakee's perfornace in that series in that regard is just one example of a game-wide issue.

I see your side, but to be honest, I had more fun watching Hader pitch this year and just blow guys away at the plate than had they grounded, lined or hit a pop up for an out. The Dodgers actually were probably the team that adjusted their mentality more about hitting home runs. They started playing a lot more "small ball", instead of swinging for the fences. While I find home runs to be fun (when its your team hitting them) I also enjoy a well pitched and defensed game.

How we digress.....I just noticed we were in a football forum, a thread about the Rams game no less, I will take my final swing at the plate and say "watch out for the Brew Crew in 2019, they are going to have one hell of a pitching staff".

 

[HardRightEdge]

How we digress.....I just noticed we were in a football forum, a thread about the Rams game no less....

Yeah, well, the Rams discussion is pretty well exhausted, so there's that. We're pretty much down to injury reports. Nonetheless, I suppose we've been very, very bad boys.

 

[Poppa San]

Nonetheless, I suppose we've been very, very bad boys.

Just about to send both of you a reminder as to where you were. I usually read the entire thread before responding. Glad to see you looked up from your keyboard.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Just about to send both of you a reminder as to where you were. I usually read the entire thread before responding. Glad to see you looked up from your keyboard.

We don't want you to turn into the Maytag repairman. We want to keep your skills sharp. You're welcome.

 

[Mondio]

So asking about next years starting rotation is verboten? Sonofa...

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Just about to send both of you a reminder as to where you were. I usually read the entire thread before responding. Glad to see you looked up from your keyboard.

Great in trots Poppa from the dugout to pull us both from the mound!

 

[HardRightEdge]

So asking about next years starting rotation is verboten? Sonofa...

Next year's D-Line rotation is fair game, just not in this thread.

 

[McKnowledge]

One could also say their only legitimate win was against the Bills.

I think that comeback win against the Bears was legitimate. Vintage Rodgers.

 

[brandon2348]

Give me the Packers coming off a bye with Aaron Rodgers and Co. healthy at +379 any day. This team went into Pitt(a very good and hot team) last year with Hundley and damn near won.

Anything can happen. I am expecting a close game that the Packers will have a chance to win late in game.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I'm guessing Goff will get a new deal after this year. Especially if they make it to the SB. That is if guys on rookie deals can get new ones after 3 years. I know they can 5th year option him so that may put it off a year but if he continues on this path I highly doubt doubt they let him enter his final season under his rookie deal.

Teams are allowed to extend a player on a rookie contract after him being in the league for three seasons. Therefore the Rams can negotiate a new deal with Goff after this year.

Pettine is working his magic. Makes one wonder why did McCarthy take so long to pull the trigger?

The Packers are currently 15th on points allowed, they were better than that during five of Capers nine seasons as the defensive coordinator.

So this brings up an interesting question for posters, let's throw the Patriots out of the discussion. Would you rather be a fan of a franchise like the Packers, who seem to be in the conversation every year or a fan of a team like the Seahawks, Cardinals, Falcons, Eagles, Rams. Who seem to put it together with some smart draft picks and Free agent signings, but Fizzle out not being able to maintain due to the cap?

Aside of the Patriots there's no other team I would rather have been a fan of over the past 26 years.

 

[McKnowledge]

The Packers are currently 15th on points allowed, they were better than that during five of Capers nine seasons as the defensive coordinator.

I truly don't care for most stats. Two eyes and results are most important. Also, most important are wins and losses. What's also misleading about your statement is how many yards on the ground and through the air were giving up during his tenure. I think this article below perfectly sums everything up.

https://www.totalpackers.com/2018/01/capers-firing-begins-packers-defensive-turnaround/

 

[Jim Lite]

It's Aaron v. Aaron. Is our D up to it?

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[Pokerbrat2000]

I truly don't care for most stats

Unless, of course, they fit your argument.

 

[sschind]

Anytime you have the best QB in the NFL on your team you definitely have a chance. That's what makes this game hard to figure for me. On top of that I suspect Rams fans will be outnumbered Sunday. I'm not going to lie - it's been so long since we've beaten the Packers....2006 I think....that I want this game. I want to blow the Packers out. We've never even come close to beating Rodgers.

And at first I was pretty cocky, thinking it would be a blowout - but the more I think about it, the more I think it'll be a relatively close game.

I'm not saying it should be a blowout or that the Packers don't have a chance. Like you said, when the opposing team has Aaron Rodgers, predicting a blowout may not be the smart thing to do. Every year when the schedule comes out fans go through it and mark down games as should win, toss up, probably lose or whatever. At the beginning of the year you may have had this down as a toss up for the Rams but given the way the teams look right now I think it is a should win game for them. I certainly hope I am wrong.

 

[sschind]

It's Aaron v. Aaron. Is our D up to it?

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If its Aaron v. Aaron I'd ask is our O line up to it.

 

[brandon2348]

I believe the key to this game is containing Gurley. Were not gonna shut him down but if we can contain him our young secondary(all healthy) might just be able to match up. Remember Cooper Kupp is out. Make Goff make big throws downfield. A couple turnovers would really help.

On the other side if Rodgers is as close to 100 percent as I have been hearing and we can protect the ball then watch out. Could have a big upset on our hands and be a pivotal turning point too the season.

 

[McKnowledge]

Unless, of course, they fit your argument.

Which you are doing with the statements in my posts.

I truly don't care for most stats. Two eyes and results are most important. Also, most important are wins and losses.

 

[fix8ed]

The Rams are good. Not infallible. I’m not saying I like our chances, but I would be a bit worried if I was a Rams fan too. This team is certainly capable of going toe to toe with the rams but it will take a clean game, something we haven’t seen from them yet. Only sputters and stops. But we’ve seen this team getting it going more than once or twice in the past. It’s not like we’re wishing for miracles here.

If I were a Rams fan, I might be worried as well. There are no media personalities giving GB a chance in this game and the fact has been duly noted by #12. I think he comes out smoking with a team that has had a fire lit under them. One thing is sure though: field goals don't win this game. ..it is a 7 or nothing kind of game.

 

[PackerFanLV]

hey is breeland playing and why is it taking so long?

 

[Ken smith]

Packers defense is gonna get burned more than brats at a Lambo tailgate party. Rodgers is gonna look like old Lynn ****ey trying to keep pace with the scoring and taking long long naps on the bench while the defense is on the field. In the end the packers will be mismanaging the clock, heaving bombs, scrambling for the sideline, busting hundred million dollar collar bones and knees trying to find nine points in the last minute. Only thing that’ll save the packers will be a seven point quake and the rams bench falling into a fault line.