The rollercoaster ride never stops. The Rams continue their pattern of winning on every odd week. Except this time, they did it in an overwhelmingly convincing fashion, thoroughly dominating the Oakland Raiders. It's now time for the Rams to take the next step, and win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Looks like Sam Bradford may be in the Rams' plans for 2015:
Twitter Talk
Perhaps the biggest steal in the 2014 NFL Draft:
Think this E.J. Gaines kid has a chance to stick around for a while.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 30, 2014
Times like this are to be savored:
Rams' 38-point lead is second largest lead at the half for a team this year. Green Bay's 42-point edge against CHI in week 10 is biggest.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) November 30, 2014
Good to see Chris Long back on the field:
Thanks for all the tweets. Lot of love in the building today and it meant the world. Great team win!
— Christopher Long (@JOEL9ONE) November 30, 2014
Truly sorry for their losses, and a nice gesture on Jeff Fisher's part:
Fisher gives game ball to William Hayes and Eugene Sims afterwards. Both had family members pass away this week. Hayes in tears after game.
— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) November 30, 2014
Plenty of good statistics arising from the Raiders game:
Rams' 1st shutout win since 2006...6 TDs from scrimmage, most in Fisher's 3 seasons here... only 4th shutout by Rams since move to STL.
— Bernie Miklasz (@miklasz) November 30, 2014
Rodger will have off-season surgery on his labrum...but until then...:
Small set back but I'll be back for the Redskins! I'm gonna tough this out until the end of this season! #RamsNation #noquitINme
— Rodger Saffold (@Rodger_Saffold) November 30, 2014
What's next for RG3? Breaking down 10 possible destinations: Grantland
Bill Barnwell suggests the Rams may be the best fit for RG3, if Washington parts ways with him after this season.
Rams have made slow progress: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Although the Rams' talent level has risen during the tenure of Jeff Fisher and Les Snead, the wins haven't risen proportionately. Bernie Miklasz believes it's due to an offense that just can't generate enough points to be competitive in the NFL.
2015 NFL Mock Draft: Walter Football
Charlie Campbell updates his three round mock draft. The Rams select CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu in the first round, QB Garrett Grayson in the second round, and G Tre' Jackson in the third round.
Still Judge, Jury, and Executioner: Sports Illustrated - MMQB
Judge Barbara Jones' decision to lift Ray Rice's indefinite suspension is the latest setback for Commissioner Roger Goodell. Will her decision lead to changes in how the league handles personal conduct matters?
Draft Prospect Highlight Reel: WR - Dorial Green-Beckham - Oklahoma
Skeptical Football: FiveThirtyEight
A statistical, historical look at how NFL teams generate wins, including a brief comparative study of the Rams' GSOT in relation to the San Francisco 49ers.
What happened in Ferguson?: New York Times
An examination of the facts surrounding the death of Michael Brown, in the wake of a grand jury deciding against indicting police officer Darren Wilson.
2015 NFL Draft guard rankings: SB Nation - Mocking The Draft
2015 NFL Draft center rankings: SB Nation - Mocking The Draft
2015 NFL Draft offensive tackle rankings: SB Nation - Mocking The Draft
The Rams will enter the off-season with many concerns related to their offensive line. Jake Long and Scott Wells could become salary cap casualties. 5 offensive linemen, including Joe Barksdale, are eligible for free agency in 2015. MTD's Dan Kadar released his first set of positional rankings this past week, including those for the offensive line.
Stat Facts Of The Week: Toxic Differential
Toxic Differential Leaders
Team
Turnover Differential
Big Play Differential
Toxic Differential
1
Seattle Seahawks
9
45
54
2
Denver Broncos
4
33
37
3
Green Bay Packers
15
13
28
4
Baltimore Ravens
3
23
26
5
Detroit Lions
4
17
21
6
San Francisco 49ers
5
14
19
7
Miami Dolphins
3
10
13
8
Houston Texans
11
1
12
9
Washington Redskins
-7
19
12
10
Cleveland Browns
6
2
8
11
Dallas Cowboys
-3
8
5
12
Buffalo Bills
9
-5
4
13
Cincinnati Bengals
-1
4
3
14
St. Louis Rams
2
0
2
15
Arizona Cardinals
8
-7
1
16
New England Patriots
11
-10
1
17
New York Jets
-12
12
0
18
Indianapolis Colts
-2
0
-2
19
Philadelphia Eagles
-6
4
-2
20
Chicago Bears
-4
1
-3
21
Pittsburgh Steelers
-4
0
-4
22
Carolina Panthers
-3
-2
-5
23
Atlanta Falcons
6
-16
-10
24
San Diego Chargers
-1
-10
-11
25
Minnesota Vikings
1
-14
-13
26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
-6
-12
-18
27
New Orleans Saints
-7
-14
-21
28
Jacksonville Jaguars
-7
-15
-22
29
Tennessee Titans
-6
-19
-25
30
Kansas City Chiefs
-3
-25
-28
31
Oakland Raiders
-18
-22
-40
32
New York Giants
-7
-35
-42
There was nothing "toxic" about the Rams' performance against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Tre Mason ran off a couple of big plays for touchdowns. In addition, the Rams created 5 Oakland turnovers, with zero giveaways of their own.
The expression "toxic differential" was coined by former NFL coach Brian Billick. Billick was head coach of the Baltimore Ravens for 9 seasons, and led them to a Super Bowl victory in the 2000 season.
From an article by Brian Billick for NFL.com in November, 2011:
"People are constantly looking for the right combination of stats to indicate the probable success of a team. What are the key factors to winning? Is it sacks, third-down conversions, first-down efficiency, the ability to run the ball and stop the run, total passing yards? All are important, but none are a precise indicator of success."
"Beginning in 1998, when I was the Vikings' offensive coordinator, I used a formula that I called the "toxic differential" as the best barometer for our team's success. Simply stated, the toxic differential is the correlation between turnovers and explosive plays."
Rapid Reaction: St. Louis Rams: ESPN NFL Nation
Nick Wagoner shares his initial thoughts on the Rams' 52-0 win over the Oakland Raiders.
Rams Rock Raiders With Offense, Defense, And Special Teams: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Myles Simmons recaps the Rams' monstrous performance in the game against the Raiders.
Two is the magic number: NFL.com
Watch as RB Tre Mason rips off a pair of long touchdowns in the Rams' win over the Oakland Raiders.
Rams players salute Ferguson: ESPN
5 Rams players decided to show their support for Ferguson in the pre-game introductions:
"As the offense was introduced, Rams tight end Jared Cook and receivers Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens and Tavon Austin stopped near the tunnel and raised their hands in a nod to the fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9."
On This Day In Sports History
1891 - James Naismith creates the game of basketball.
1963 - The New York Jets record their first shutout, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 17-0.
Young Rams offer production and potential in blowout win: ESPN NFL Nation
Tre Mason and Stedman Bailey are just two of the Rams' young, rising stars on offense. There will be a lot to look forward to heading into the 2015 season.
Rams vs. Raiders Highlights: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Check out all the highlights from the Rams' big win over the Oakland Raiders.
Rare laugher: Rams clobber Raiders 52-0: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jim Thomas shares his thoughts and recaps the Rams' victory over the Raiders.
Rams vs. Raiders Report Card: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jeff Gordon hands out his weekly report card grades. As one might expect, there's a lot of very high - and well-earned - marks this week.
Sunday Blitz: ESPN
Jim Basquil and Merril Hoge break down the Rams' 52-0 win over the Raiders.
St. Louis Police Officer's Association Condemns Rams Display: KSDK
Not everyone was happy with the pre-game introduction support for Ferguson displayed by 5 Rams players.
Jeff Fisher, Rams Laying Foundation For Perennial Contender In St. Louis: Bleacher Report
"The fact that the Rams have been producing statement wins with second- and third-string quarterbacks should give you an idea of the overall talent that resides on the roster."
The Pressers
Jeff Fisher Post-Game Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Shaun Hill Post-Game Press Conference: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Post-Game Interview - Tre Mason: St. Louis Rams Official Website
One-on-One With Chris Long: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Rams coach Jeff Fisher talks to Steve Savard and D'Marco Farr following the Rams' 52-0 win over the Oakland Raiders: 101 Sports
Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey talks to Will Witherspoon after the Rams' blowout win over the Raiders: 101 Sports
St. Louis Rams Weekly Salary "Re-Cap"
The Rams currently have $635,586 in available salary cap space, 2nd lowest in the league. Hopefully the slew of injuries the Rams incurred earlier in the season has run its course. Any further injuries may necessitate the creation of additional salary cap space.
St. Louis Rams Current Roster And Depth Chart
C
Scott Wells
Barrett Jones
Tim Barnes
RG
Davin Joseph
Brandon Washington
LG
Rodger Saffold
RT
Joe Barksdale
LT
Greg Robinson
Mike Person
TE
Lance Kendricks
Cory Harkey
Justice Cunningham
TE
Jared Cook
Alex Bayer
WR
Kenny Britt
Chris Givens
WR
Tavon Austin
Stedman Bailey
RB
Tre Mason
Chase Reynolds
Trey Watts
RB
Benny Cunningham
Zac Stacy
QB
Shaun Hill
Austin Davis
PK
Greg Zuerlein
P
John Hekker
LS
Jake McQuaide
DT
Aaron Donald
Kendall Langford
DT
Michael Brockers
Alex Carrington
DE
Chris Long
William Hayes
DE
Robert Quinn
Eugene Sims
Ethan Westbrooks
MLB
James Laurinaitis
Korey Toomer
OLB
Alec Ogletree
Daren Bates
OLB
Jo-Lonn Dunbar
Will Herring
CB
Janoris Jenkins
Marcus Roberson
CB
Trumaine Johnson
E.J. Gaines
Lamarcus Joyner
SS
T.J. McDonald
Mark Barron
Maurice Alexander
FS
Rodney McLeod
Cody Davis
Practice Squad
Injured Reserve
QB Case Keenum
QB Sam Bradford
OT Steven Baker
RB Isaiah Pead
OG Travis Bond
TE Mason Brodine
TE Brad Smelley
OC Demetrius Rhaney
WR Emory Blake
LT Jake Long
WR Devon Wylie
WR Brian Quick
DT Matt Conrath
CB Brandon McGee
CB Jemea Thomas
FS Christian Bryant
LB Marshall McFadden
The roster and depth chart have been updated to reflect all transactions as of 11:00 pm Sunday, November 30. The Rams activated Chris Long from Injured Reserve/ Designated For Return in time for Sunday's game against the Raiders. To make room for him on the 53-man roster, the Rams released LB Marshall McFadden, who could be added to the practice squad after he clears waivers. I summarized all of last weeks transactions in a weekend article for TST.
Blast From The Past: Classic Rock Monday: Metallica - Enter Sandman
Please have a great Monday and a Ramtastic week!!
Poll
How many wins do the Rams finish the season with?
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