NFL 2024-2025 Season

DOINK!!!!

With the wildfire situation in LA the Rams now playing at an alternative venue against the Minnesota Vikings.

An impassioned LA Rams saw off a misfiring Minnesota Vikings with a dominant display to win 27-9. With a touchdown on their first drive cemented by a field goal to lead 10-0 the Rams never looked back. A further two touchdowns followed to stretch the lead to 24-3 at the half.
The Rams then cruised through the second half with minimal fuss to progress to the divisional round.

Divisional Round

Sat 18
Texans @ Chiefs 21.30
Commanders @ Lions 01.00 (Sun)

Sun 19
Rams @ Eagles 20.00
Ravens @ Bills 23.30

Rams 27 - 9 Vikings
This was a tale of 2 very different defensive displays & 2 quarterbacks playing with opposing degrees of confidence. Stafford completed his first 10 passes, he got good protection, but generally delivered the ball in quick time, in contrast Darnold replicated the performance from last week, he was indecisive, missed some easy reads, held onto the ball for far too long & paid for it. He was sacked 9 times, which ties for the most in an NFL Playoff game. His interception resulted in a TD on the Rams next drive & his fumble was returned 57 yards for another.
The coaching decision to go for it on 4th down near the end of the 2nd quarter was a bad call. At that point being down by 2 scores is not a disaster, giving the Rams great field position when they failed to convert resulted in a 3 score game at the half & a mountain to climb.
The Vikings had the edge in time of possession, & total plays, more first downs & converted on more 3rd downs than the Rams & the Rams were also penalised 10 times for 95 yards. The Vikings were unable to capitalize on these advantages with anything cohesive.
The commentating team remarked on something that I had thought of earlier, Darnold has cost himself some money with 2 very poor performances, when it mattered most, wherever he plays next season.
The Rams will have a tough battle when they take on the Eagles on Sunday with their dominate offensive & defensive lines. With the horrendous situation in LA the neutral fans might get behind the Rams & they will need all the help they can get to progress. The Eagles are arguably the strongest roster in the NFL.

Ugh please not a Rams vs Chiefs Superbowl....seeing them play the 49ers in Vegas last year was bad enough!

Washington Commanders beat Detroit Lions to reach NFC title playoff!!!

Chiefs 23 - 14 Texans
The Chiefs got a couple of favourable decisions with penalties which resulted in 10 points scored, but ultimately the Chiefs did what they had to do. Mahomes completed 16/26, 177 yards - 1 TD Kelce was targeted 9 times & had 7 receptions for 117 yards & a TD.
Stroud completed 19-28, 245 yards & rushed for 42 on 7 carries. Mixon had 88 yards & 1 TD. Star receiver Nico Collins was limited t0 5 catches to 81 yards.
The Chiefs got off to a perfect start with a kick-off return which was fumbled then recovered by the Chiefs giving then great field position but the Texans limited them to a field goal. Special Teams was an issue for the Texans, Fairbairn was 2/4 & also missed an extra point. Including 2 questionable calls the Texans incurred 8 penalties for 82 yards, with the Chiefs 4(29).
Stroud was bombarded with pressure & was sacked 8 times most came in the latter stages as the Texans chased the game.

Lions 31 - 45 Commanders
This game was all about the turnovers the Commanders were error free, but Goff threw 3 interceptions & fumbled once, a 4th interception was on a trick run option pass. The Commanders played the Lions at their own game to an extent & set the tone early going for in on 4th down, they were 3/4 in that regard.
The first quarter saw the Commanders trailing 7-3 & then it was fireworks with 6 TD's in the 2nd quarters, 4 by the Commanders which left the Lions 21 - 31 behind at halftime, which they soon closed the gap to 28 - 31 in the 3rd quarter with an 8 yard TD run from the excellent Gibbs.
In the 4th quarter the Commanders pulled away with 2 further TD's, leaving the Lions with too much to do.
Jayden Daniels completed 22/31 299 yards & 2 TD's & had 16 carries for 51 yards. He has ice running through his veins, nothing seems to phase him, rookie QB's aren't suppose to be this good. The Commanders are building something special with a young roster. Last seen in the Playoffs in 2006, Washington are set to be regulars if they can add to this talented group.

Philadelphia Eagles win 28-22.

Philadelphia v Washington in NFC Championship Game next Sunday