On Sunday, they beat the Bills 44-42. On Thursday, they beat the 49ers 12-6 without scoring a TD. They have now won seven out of nine games. And after starting the season 1-4, are now sitting with an 8-6 record.
The Rams are doing everything they can to make the playoffs. They are only half a game behind the Seahawks for the NFC division lead and the Commanders for the seventh and final playoff spot.
Even during the pre-season, I have been saying that the Rams are my sneaky pick to do some damage in the playoffs. They have veteran QB Matthew Stafford, top RB Kyren Williams, and two Pro Bowl WRs in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. And they have a legitimate top-five HC, Sean McVey. There is so much chatter around the Lions, Packers, and Eagles, but currently in the NFC there is exactly one QB and HC combo that has won a Superbowl…Stafford, McVey, and the Rams.
After the win on Thursday, their playoff chances have gone up to 50%, and Vegas has them currently sitting at 40/1 to win the Superbowl. Regardless of their record, they’ll get a first-round home game if they can win the NFC West. They’d realistically have the No. 3 seed and be hosting the Commanders or Packers. The way they’ve been playing each would be a very winnable game. And if they did have the No. 3 seed, they’d avoid the Lions until a potential NFC Championship matchup in Detroit. And although they’d be big underdogs, in a one-game scenario to go to the Superbowl, the pedigree of the Rams would go a long way…stranger things have happened.
In that game, 49ers (former) linebacker DeVondre Campbell walked off the field, refusing to play. After the game, HC Kyle Shanahan said he won’t be part of the team anymore.
The Miami Dolphins have released Odell Beckham. He’s trying to latch onto another team. If recent history is any guidepost, he’ll probably end up with the Chiefs and make a big catch at some point in the playoffs.
Apparently, Bill Belichick’s first words were, “Beat Duke,”…or so he says. This week, he also said it’s been a lifelong dream to coach in college. I live in Foxboro, MA, and I had season tickets from literally the day Robert Kraft bought the team. I remember the days of Steve Grogan before Kraft ever thought of buying them. I watched every game and press conference Belichick ever had with the Patriots, and I never remember him discussing and opining about coaching in college.
But now, it’s been a lifelong dream. The cynic in me thinks he may be embellishing a bit. With so many jobs opening or soon opening up in the next month, this is a bit of a shock. He may have seen the writing on the wall that a job just wouldn’t be available. He wasn’t picked for the Falcons job last year, and he must have sensed that none of the openings this year would be available to him.
I’ve been lobbying for him to become the Bears HC, feeling like it was the perfect landing spot. Another great opportunity would be returning to the Giants if they move on from Brian Daboll. The Jaguars would have been interesting too…and then there’s the Cowboys. But he jumped at this opportunity with the Tarheels.
They are a mid-level team in a second-tier conference…sorry ACC, but it’s true. And he’s in a program known for basketball, not football. So, where is the upside? This makes sense on a few levels. One, it’s a 5yr/$50M deal…that’s not chump change. He insisted that part of the package would include his son Steven. He’ll be the defensive coordinator until Dad walks away and swoops in to replace him as HC. He’s already brought longtime confidant and friend Mike Lombardi as his GM. And the program has earmarked millions of dollars for him to put into the portal to help recruit top talent.
And at age 72, the job is kind of a cushy landing spot. The expectations aren’t that high, if he can get them to eight or nine wins each year with a nice bowl, or even a playoff spot, he’ll be a hero. And I have to believe that somewhere in the back of his head he must be thinking that if he can generate success at NC, he may get that one last chance to get back into the NFL. After all, isn’t 80 the new 70?
And in other news in North Carolina this week, and much more serious news, Randy Moss underwent successful surgery to remove cancer in his bile duct between his pancreas and liver. Here’s wishing him a speedy recovery. A few weeks ago, he wrote a somewhat cryptic note asking for prayers, and he was on TV wearing dark glasses during his weekend show. Unfortunately, the mind always turns to cancer, and unfortunately, the fears are true. He’s now onto radiation and chemotherapy.
Looking ahead to this week’s injuries:
Seahawks need all hands on deck against a tough matchup with the Packers. But RB Kenneth Walker is doubtful in the game with an ankle injury.
Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker is listed as questionable, nursing his left knee.
Colts WR Josh DOwns is listed as questionable with a sore shoulder.
Bills TE Dalton Kincaid is listed as questionable with a knee injury.
Steelers WR George Pickens is out with a hamstring injury.
