November 20th, 2018 
Matt Loede 
Posted in 
Stephen A. Smith has doubts about how the Los Angeles Rams would fare against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints’ high-powered offense in a playoff matchup after the Rams gave up 51 points to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Monday’s Rams Game Moved Back to L.A. Due to Mexico City Field Conditions
Monday’s game for the Rams that was scheduled in Mexico City has been moved back to Los Angeles due to poor field conditions.
Monday night’s Chiefs-Rams game now is being moved from Mexico City to Los Angeles due to poor field conditions in Estadio Azteca, per sources.
Back to LA for the Rams, who have been training for altitude in Colorado Springs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2018
The sod in Mexico City was supposed to be replaced, but the league made the decision to go back to L.A., thus not allowing any more drama for the marquee matchup between two of the best NFL teams.
The game is a Rams home game, so it makes sense that it should be played in Los Angeles as compared to another site.
Report: Rams Players Threatening to Not Play in Mexico City Due to Field Conditions
The NFL has a huge problem on its hands when it comes to two teams that are at the top of the standings getting set for a battle in Mexico City next week.
That problem is the field where the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams are set to play in the biggest game of the week is beyond bad, to the point where the powers that be and the NFL is scrambling to try and figure out what to do.
The playing surface is looking ugly, and apparently, the NFL is seriously concerned about the issue. According to NBC’s Peter King, there’s “significant worry” about the state of the unique hybrid surface, which is made up of a combination of grass and synthetic filler.
The league is actually so concerned about the field situation that a crew will be checking things out on Monday and Tuesday to decide if anything needs to be done. According to ESPN.com, the game could potentially be moved to Los Angeles if the playing surface in Mexico City isn’t up to NFL standards.
Things got even more interesting on Tuesday when NFL Insider Adam Schefter stated on Twitter that some Rams players are so upset about the field situation at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City that they are some are simply not going to play in the game.
If Monday night’s game is played in Mexico City, a number of Rams and Chiefs players are now strongly considering not playing in that game on that messy surface, per sources. “It’s not fair to risk our health,” one prominent player said today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2018
So what the NFL does next about the situation is anyone’s guess. They have two teams that might end up meeting in February in the biggest game of the season, but for now, they have figure out how to not only make the two teams happy, but try and keep the peace and just get the game played.
Big Day for Brees Too Much for the Rams as Saints Top Los Angeles 45-35 to End Perfect Season
The Rams were run over Sunday by the New Orleans Saints, as a late comeback was just short, ending their unbeaten season with a 38-35 loss.
QB Jared Goff passed for 391 yards and three TDs in the loss for the Rams, as they fall to 8-1 on the season.
It was too much Drew Brees for the Rams, as he passed for 346 yards and four touchdowns, including a 72-yard strike to Michael Thomas with less than four minutes left to put the game away.
Thomas had a huge day, catching a career-high 211 yards worth of passes in the win for the now 7-1 Saints.
The Saints built a huge 35-17 halftime lead, and one of the reasons was the fact they stopped Rams running back Todd Gurley, holding him to just 68 yards and one touchdown in 13 carries.
Brees was amazing in the first half, as he went 17 of 22 throwing the football for 211 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Saints amassed 313 yards and 24 first downs in the first 30 minutes.
Final from New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/wtbJvRyVFt
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 5, 2018
Unbeaten No More! Saints knock off the the formerly unblemished Rams 45-35.pic.twitter.com/BVvTR0JsOD
— NFL News (@NFLFBGAMETIME) November 5, 2018
Rams Snag Pass Rusher Dante Fowler From the Jaguars
The Rams have added yet another pass rusher, Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com reports.
L.A. is trading for Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Dante Fowler, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source.
According to ESPN, the Rams gave up a third-round draft pick in 2019 and fifth-round selection in 2020 to acquire Fowler.
He will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Fowler joins a loaded Rams defensive line rotation that already includes Aaron Donald, who leads the NFL with 10 sacks, Ndamukong Suh and Michael Brockers.
All four players are former first-round picks. Fowler was taken with the third overall pick in the 2015 draft, Donald was picked 13th in 2014, Suh second in 2010 and Brockers 14th in 2012.
Rams Focused on Seahawks, Not Being the Popular Super Bowl Pick in the NFC
The Rams realize they’re a popular Super Bowl pick after their spectacular first quarter of the season. Pundits, fans and other teams seem to be lining up to praise them.
While they appreciate the respect, this is a profoundly weird experience for any Rams who were around even two years ago for the franchise’s less-than-glorious return to LA after a decade of losing in St. Louis, the Associated Press reports.
This team doesn’t have much experience in being the favorites for anything, and the Rams are wary of the role.
“I hate it,” said Michael Brockers, who has been on the defensive line for seven years.
“I hate looking at ‘SportsCenter’ and they’ve got you at the top of the power rankings,” Brockers added with a smile. “It’s just like, you know, stop crowning us! For me, I’m a humble guy. I don’t want to be crowned. I always want the attitude of being the hungry dog, being the underdog, because you almost seem to be more hungrier when you play like that.”
Nobody with any experience in the Rams’ locker room has forgotten that this franchise is just one year removed from streaks of 13 consecutive losing seasons and 12 consecutive non-playoff seasons. Humility is relatively easy with that struggle still on their minds, according to the players and coaches who went through it.
Jared Goff doesn’t even turn 24 until next Sunday, but he remembers going 0-7 as a rookie starter for the hapless Rams of 2016.
“I don’t think we’re getting any bit caught up in anything,” said Goff, who’s second in the NFL with 1,406 yards passing after his outstanding effort against Minnesota. “I think a lot of people on this team, being part of that team two years ago, understand how easy it is to be on the other side of it, and you don’t ever want to go back there. You understand the work that needs to be put in to stay where you’re at.”
Receiver Robert Woods said it’s “easy” to ignore the attention the Rams (4-0) are getting.
“It’s just buzz,” he said. “It’s just noise. We’ve been on both sides. We’ve been not talked about, and now we’re being talked about, but it’s really just focus. We know how it goes. We had a great year last year and fell short, and I think this year the team is just focused. No outside distractions. Don’t blink. Just focus on one goal.”
Los Angeles was revived last season by coach Sean McVay, going 11-5 and winning the NFC West before losing its playoff opener. This season’s team appeared to be even stronger on paper — and through four games, that’s exactly what it has been.
The Rams lead the NFL with 468.5 yards per game of offense, increasing their total every week. Only five teams have allowed fewer points than the Rams, and their special teams have thrived despite losing two of their four Pro Bowl selections to injury.
The rest of the football world can get excited about the Rams, but McVay reflexively downplays any idea that they’re a Super Bowl favorite.
“I have no doubt that we have the right kind of guys in our locker room that know it’s about earning it every single day,” McVay said. “They are confident, but like we’ve said over and over, there’s a humility that exists.”
Rams OLB Dominique Easley Undergoes Another Knee Surgery
The Rams moved Dominique Easley to outside linebacker during training camp partly with the hope of minimizing the risks to his frequently injured knees.
It didn’t work.
Easley underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee Monday, his fourth major knee surgery since 2011.
Rams coach Sean McVay expects Easley will be placed on injured reserve.
With cornerback Aqib Talib and return specialist Pharoh Cooper likely to be activated off injured reserve later this season, the designation would almost certainly end Easley’s fourth season in the league and second season with the Rams.
Video: Rams Offense Shines as Goff Throws for 465 Yards and Five TD’s in 38-31 Win Over Vikings
Trey Wingo, Mike Golic and Mike Golic Jr. reflect on Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff’s 465 yards and 5 touchdown performance in the Rams’ 38-31 win Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings.
