Sorry, Kristen NFC Championship time. 49ers at the Rams.
Even though the 49ers have beaten the Rams,
six straight times, the Rams,
the home team, until they come out of the tunnel and see all
the red jerseys are three and a half Point favorites with
an over under a 46.5
56% of the spread money is on
the Los Angeles. Rams.
Let's break this one down.
Down. And let's begin with
49ers on offense.
Rams on defense. We saw it
in the Monday night game.
When the 49ers steamrolled, the Rams all game long. We saw it
after the 49ers about fell behind 17, nothing. They still
kept running, and running and running, and they ran their way
right back into the game until Jimmy G had to throw, you know,
Jimmy G had a dry day. Jim. Yeah.
Yeah.
So what do you expect
with Sean McVeigh knowing they're going to try to
establish a run, screw them over with her.
And one of the first things is, you say Kyle, Shanahan looks
for when he's game planning. What do you think happens when
the 49ers have the ball? Well, I mean, you know, I'm just
a little big picture thing here, just a little bit first, you
know,
as a football team you look at it, and I know a lot of people
go. Well man, it's hard to beat a team. Third three times in
a row in a season and I get it is, of course, it is. I mean,
we saw the Saints not do that. To the the Bucks last year,
with Tom Brady,
but I feel like and I don't know, you correct me if I'm
wrong. II, when you beat a team twice, you're in the teams, had
that lost twice, they're going to go damn it. What is it about
this team that we can't overcome
them? Let alone at six times. That's where there's,
you know, there's an element of real great Intrigue here. You
know, I think about my dad's Super Bowl, 21 team. They had
a play the Washington football team in the NFC championship
game for a third time. They beat him,
I think about like the Titans and the Jaguars, right? Jaguars
were 14 and to the number one seed, their two losses during
the regular season with the Titans. Oh crap. Here they come
in the air. Championship game
lose again. There is something to that where we talk about.
It's a matchup league. So I find that part of it really
interesting. Now with the 49ers offense and Rams defense.
I think it's simple here. First off. I think the Rams have some
things to look at
as far as what the Packers did last week in that game
to slow down the 49ers run attack. And I think the base
thing that I would take away from it without being too. In
the weeds. Here are our football X isn't 0 is they sold
out to stop the run? And they sold out. And
to me, that's where the Rams got to do in this one. It's got
to be five, man. Fronts and seven guys, to the line of
scrimmage, almost every play. I think. This is a game where
you're crazy, is the Rams. If you're like, trying to take
a little bit of way of everything. You got to go all
in to stop Debo Samuel, Run game. Elijah Mitchell. Run
game. Shanahan Run game and
Aaron. I got to see Jimmy Garoppolo in the pass. Game
beat us. I got to see it to believe it. I don't think that
can happen. I got to see it. That's what I would do. If I'm
on the Rams. On the side of the ball
and the Rams I will say have we gone down the stretch? They
will play man-to-man more. They have been matching Jalen Ramsey
up with the best receiver. A whole lot more. I expect to see
that on Sunday.
And again, if I'm them
Jalen Ramsey, meet Debo Samuel, you're going to be attached to
his hip all game long so we can do everything else with these
other guys that take away all the other Shanahan, creativity,
and Trixie has.
So that would be the thing. I look at more than not. But you
know, again, I know I'm not breaking news here. But I do
think it's a level up here, where,
hey, we've always talked about the Rams, the way to beat them
is, you know, big offensive line run, right at them. Now
they're talented. They got Pride, they're going to be
pissed off.
They certainly are in Shanahan's so creative in the Run game,
but this is one where I go even extra that you really you
almost got to roll the dice and take a few chances in the Run
game and go no way. We're not going to let that happen.
And okay, we're a little compromise and coverages, but
we got to take a chance somewhere and we'll take
a chance of Yugi won't pull through.
And and I think that, even if, even if
he does, right, you still have to set it up where you're going
to force, Jimmy, G
to beat you. Because, you know, you have a quarterback who just
proved on Sunday. He can make the big throw in the big spot.
Jimmy G has it. And
I talked earlier about how the Bengals need to keep swinging
and go down doing what they've done because they're going to
be back next year and they don't want to be Timid. Now,
there's a little wrinkle to this, if you're Sean McVeigh
and you're like, okay. What are we gonna do? What are we really
going to try to do here? Hey, you know what? If Jimmy
Garoppolo ends up
pulling the Shamrock out of his ass, right? He's Italian doing
this the right way. Yes. Working the right way. You know
what?
Great great. They go ahead and beat us and get to the Super
Bowl with Jimmy Green great, because then they got chaos
next year at their quarterback
position. They got, you know what? I mean? Yeah.
You're right
here. Yeah, they're gonna, they're gonna be all. Pardon
me. What they're going to do at quarterback. If
it is, so we're gonna force him to beat us and if he can't we
go to the Super Bowl
and if by some reason he does
they got a mess on their hands that may knock them wobbly
going into 2022. Yeah, and I mean we know I mean, this is
Jimmy G. It's shaky. Period. You know made a huge mistake
last week in the Red Zone,
you know, the first time around and the Rams gamer this, you
know, the second game the week 18 match of he threw two
interceptions in that football game to
was close to throwing Another one or two added on top of
that. So that's where, you know, it's going to be
interesting there as far as that. And then also to even
with that, the Rams were up 24:17
and the big pass on the right sideline to Debo Samuel.
It was Jalen Ramsey's fault. He messed it up. He kind of got
like caught up with an underneath guy thinking Jimmy,
garoppolo's going to throw, a short route to George kittel.
Who was covered by somebody else, but he thought. Okay,
he's definitely gonna go there
and he let deep. Samuel open down the sideline,
you know, I don't think Jalen Ramsey that make those
mistakes. I don't here's another thing, Mike to do
where, you know, I do think the Rams sell out the Run do that.
And then when you do get in past situations,
the one thing that jumped out to me, lot watching the Niners
last week or the last few weeks and then watching what the Rams
did against the Bucs offensive line.
They did not expose the right side of the old line for
the 49ers enough and they're both regular season matchups. And
especially we Week 18. And
what I mean is number 60 and 66. On the right side of
the 49ers are less than its Bruns kill and it's Kelly, right?
I think it's Kelly. I got so many damn names in my head. I can't
remember. Sometimes
there are both that's the Right Guard in the right tackle,
the Rams let them off the hook. In my opinion, the first
matchup they got into too many Demons of lyman's that allowed
the Shanahan to send the protection that way and get
extra guys to help them out
last week. I saw them do some cool things up front.
Where they wanted to get Tristan worse replacement,
right? 72 Wells and some tough positions and they did some
creative things to Brady in the protection to where
they couldn't help out. If Aaron Donald her Von Miller
over there matched up, they put a guy, you know, stand up
linebacker on the other side and Aaron. Donald over here,
it's Compton. Excuse me, not Kelly. I'm so I'm sorry about
that. That's the right tackle,
but they put, you know, look like that, you know to where
now. Oh wait, Brady can
And send the line over there to help out the right tackle and
the mismatch that he has against Miller or Floyd or
Aaron. Donald that to me was another area that the Rams
dropped the ball and the week 18 matchup.
I would think they're going to try to expose that this week,
especially, because last week, the Packers did a pretty good
job of it and rochon Gary. He ran roughshod rough shop, run
did everything you wanted on the right side, against those
guys over there and
that to me would be another angle to look for. In this one.
I had a flashback to
Early days of working together where you weren't familiar with
the term run roughshod. I remember that. Yeah, you
thought it was running shop or I can't shop. Yeah, right,
right. Yeah.
All right. Let's flip it over now. Rams with the ball cam
Akers, getting back to form right Matthew Stafford.
Exceeding expectations. Obj, becoming a very potent number.
22,
Cooper cup, Tyler, higbee, doing Tyler. Higbee things.
When needed,
what do you think the Rams do offensively against the San
Francisco defense? The third set? Could crazy game, you
know, like I was saying that you favor the team that won two
times in a row, but the team they beat two times in a row,
of course, had a lot of moot new moving parts that even
choir during
the season and they were you know on this trend even when
they lost to the 49ers and they've continued on that Trend
to where you go man. That was only three weeks ago, but I go
the Rams have gotten better in three weeks they have on both
sides of the ball and I think they've realized what they want
to do who they are. And that's where it's a little different
there too.
Hey,
Number one thing they got to do is of course the 49ers. Do you
lied? It's so phenomenal. They like the Rams. I mean they can
get there with their front four.
They can be really tough on your offensive line.
They gave issues in that matchup and both matchups. They
really did Safford couldn't hold the ball too long. So
I look at that. Of course the be one thing then the other thing
that jumped out to me a little bit and I saw it last week and
then
I saw in week 18 just like I did a little bit, you know on
the other side here ago where I went last. Week, the thing that
jumped out to me
the Bucks overplayed, the Rams Run game. I don't know what
they were doing. They played the Rams insert early on in
the game. Like they were playing like the 1992 Cowboys with that
offensive line and Emmitt
Smith where you're like, what are you doing? It's a Rams.
It's the 25th run defense offense in football.
Why are you got nine guys to the line of scrimmage? Like
you're worried about them, pound the ball and usually
McVeigh and Company are going to kind of offense ago. Hey, we
know how to run our plays against every look. Let's just
run it. No matter what? Oh, they got us, outnumbered. By
one, we know what to do, and we'll leave the guy farthest
away so he can't make the tackle. But last week they
said, nah, you want to play those
check, check check. I'm gonna get to a play action pass or
we're going to pass. It's just too good to be true and they
didn't do that in the week. 18 match up. There is so many
plays where I go back and look and go,
then the 49ers are there playing run.
They're all. They're worried about his run here
and they still ran the ball
and they got nothing.
But there is this Rams. Oh, linesman better
and you said it cam Akers. Has he didn't really have a part in
that first floor that s football game and week 18. He
had just got back in
the lineup. He's a difference guy. He's a different guy. He's
a Difference Maker. He's a bet the best runner on their team
for sure.
In fact, I'm going to he's the best tailback in this game.
Period, he's better than Elijah Mitchell. So there is that
aspect to worry about this time around. I think with the 49ers
and I think the Rams have found their way as far as like you
said, many time how to use Odell Beckham jr. And use him
off a Cooper cut.
I think that's grown over the last few weeks.
That's where makes it very interesting, but it's tough
because the 49ers defense in my opinion is the best defense
left in this playoff. There are amazing, a playing zones and
passing people off and kind of tweaking their coverage
and that's where it's a tough to call. Because both these
Divas are freaky and man. Yeah, the 49ers, they can give
the ram some issues. That's for sure.
Okay, so
we've reached the point where we must make a selection and as
I did before, I sent my pic in advance
to Pete, no temptation to change. Because I would have
been tempted once I saw your Bangles cover, I would have
been tempted to make it maybe, you know,
3832 Chiefs with the Bangles with a one-point cover. So so
I'm very curious to see who you're going to pick to win
and more importantly, especially if you pick the Rams
to win, whether it's In this three and a half Point bubble.
So
up. Did I give myself away? Like, do you have a feel for
where you who you think? I'm going to pick here by any
chance last week. Last week? I thought you were taking
the Packers. So I don't know. I don't know. Good. I like to, I
like to keep the audience dangling for sure.
I better than dangling your manjeong. That's right. We
don't want that. That's an unnecessary thing as a penalty
for 15 yards, but that would definitely be a penalty
dangling. Your man junk in the opponent's face would
definitely be a penalty. I have a violation of a city
ordinance. Watch out for Mike, Curtis
and doors to fund a user's Lee. Seriously.
All right,
I feel like 99 out of 100 times. I would pick the team
that won two in a row because I think there's a real Advantage
there.
It is a tough one.
It's a coin flip, but I'm gonna go with the Rams. I am
I do. I just think at home
six-game winning streak.
You heard. We heard McVeigh earlier today is Kyle Shanahan
in your head. The question, pissed him off. It, pisses him
off. Of course, it does. It's what he's thinking about all
the time right now, man, the whole NFL World think
Shanahan owns me.
I started out three and one against the guy
and now he's won six in a row. And I'm three and seven against
the damn guy. I just think between that and the upward
trend of what we've seen from the Rams. Matthew Stafford,
the pressure of the playoffs.
And listen, I trust Alfred more than I do Garoppolo. I think
with all those things together
and a little bit of like last year's thought of like
the Bucks who were just getting better and primed at the right
time. I looked the Rams like that too. I think they go 2421
and pull off the win at home.
Pete. Pete. Pete has the evidence Pete, has
the evidence.
I picked the exact same score. Wow, 21. And he picked the rims
421 grams 2421. Damn.
On second. Thought I think I've been a typo. It's 24:20
have clinched. Ladies and gentlemen, I have clinched at
least a tie. It's all going to come down to. Now if if the if
the Chiefs cover it's over
if the Bengals cover you still have a chance to catch me
in the Super Bowl. If and we'll do this again. I'll send my
score in advance to Pete. So I can't be tempted to to mirror
whatever you do. But but 2421,
I feel the exact same way
and you know what?
I just have a
I just have a weird feeling
that McVeigh wants to go all out, win the Super Bowl.
And and pull the Dick. Vermeil combo. Dick Vermeil retired.
Once because he was burned out young
and then he retired again
after he won the Super Bowl.
I I could see the Rams winning at all and Sean McVeigh saying
I'm out. I'm gonna go chase the wow. One of the Network's, I'm
gonna get paid more and not have this constant stress and
strain and worry,
if he can win it all. I think. That's one of the reasons why
they've been going all in I think you like to win one
and, and exit stage laughter stage, right? Or whichever way
you exit. I don't disagree with you there. I do think that's on
the radar for McVeigh. I do. I think that's a real thing.
I don't doubt you there
man. I just wonder if he'd do it right now because it's a,
he's kind of got, he's got a quarterback finally here.
They got something where you go. Damn. You could be here for
your two or three. Do you really want to leave and go
broadcast games? That's what it'll be tough. But I hear you.
I would think that's on his radar.
He's a psycho, and he burns. Himself out and that's usually
what happens to those type of guys.
That's right. And you know what, you could go do it for
a while and then you could come back at some point down
the road. But at least you walk away with a freshly minted,
Lombardi, trophy under your arm, which I think. Obviously,
they'd all like
to do. But for him particularly if he could pull it off,
then maybe he takes a