Rams' Playoff Hopes: Matthew Stafford's Future & Injuries

Okay, I wanted to hit the Rams and the reason why I wanted to hit what they didn't do is I just had a question for you. Like, where do you see this Rams team right now? Do you seriously believe that with all the injuries that they've had, that they are still a contender in the NFC? And remember, the NFC with four teams from the NFC North at five wins. That's a really good question. I guess to answer that question, well, let me also, let me ask you a question first before I answer your question. I know that's not the way this normally goes, but I saw a rumor and I was going to say something to you about it, but I didn't want you to completely destroy the text chat. When I saw that they were saying that Matthew Stafford was possibly going to Minnesota, at that point, I kind of put my phone down because I'm like, now it's getting silly. This is sillyville. Did you hear anything about this? So I know that that was around where it was like, if the Vikings were to offer like a godfather offer to the Rams for Matthew Stafford, that I think they would at least listen because let's just put it this way, John. If you had Davante and Puka, and let's just say you're still five and four, and you had your full offense healthy, they wouldn't even be entertaining any calls. They would just be like, we're good. We got our guys. We're healthy. We know what we have for this upcoming stretch into the bye week. We're healthy. We're good. But as you start to understand that, Puka is basically their whole wide receiver core. Everything runs through him. He has turf toe, an MCL, ACL, PCL, all this different stuff with his knee. So he's not going to be- All the L's. He got all the L's in his knee. Right, and by the time that he comes back, I mean, you got to think, if Matthew Stafford targets him all the time and he's not going to come back for another four weeks, you're probably going to be out of it by that time anyways. And then you have Davante Adams. We don't know what his timetable is for return. They said he's on track before Thanksgiving, but I highly doubt that. So now there's a lot of flux, and that's where the doubt started to creep in. So, again, I don't know if the Rams seriously considered it, but I know that at least teams were thinking of this. And if you're the Rams, would you, like, if the Vikings went to you, John, and they said, hey, Les Snead, we'll give you two really good first-round picks for Matthew Stafford, maybe we'll throw in, like, a seventh or something. Would you say yes in this season where they're at right now? For two firsts. Maybe you see, you have to at least think about it then maybe because where you are in the season with the injuries you've had, it's a maybe, but then I think back and I'll go, I've been through way too many wars with this guy. Do I believe the reigning MVP can put what we have on his back? The answer to that question is yes. Here's why I think they still have an opportunity. The entire NFC North is two wins above 500. That's not going to last. So that bubble is going to pop on somebody, whether it be the team at the top or whether it be the team at the bottom or somewhere in between. One of those bubbles are going to pop. And when it does, I think I think the Rams will be right there because here's what I think. And I have to die on this hill. I believe with Miles Garrett coming back, this defense has a chance to save the season. As bad as things have gone, it's interesting that we spend a lot of time talking about the Rams and the 49ers. When in actuality, if you think about it, that trip to Australia was an indication of how both the team's seasons would go once they left it. True. The 49ers used the trip as a way to come together, coalesce, and take on the season after everything they had happened to them in the offseason. The Rams kept it like a business trip, and we're just doing business. And business was not kind to them. And neither has the season been. But you still have an opportunity to rectify that. If Miles Garrett can be healthy for the remainder of the season, if the defensive side of the ball can go back to being the scary monster, the Godzilla we thought they could be, you could absolutely save this season. On sacks alone, you could save this season. I think Sean McVay will find a way to score. I think Matthew Stafford will find a way to find a rhythm with what they have. But look at what the receiving core is, John. Can you win with that receiving core? Going into probably the toughest part of their season, I think they have the highest strength of schedule left. They're going to be playing a tough schedule with basically Kanata Mumphfield, C.J. Daniels, and Xavier Smith as your receiving core. But again, if the defense can create turnovers, If the defense can keep the score low. Keep it low scoring. I still believe Sean McVay is the best coach in the NFL. He's about to earn that big fat paycheck he gets. Because if he can stop pouting and show up to the press room on time and figure this out. The crown will reign supreme, man. It will. I honestly believe that. I really do. I think this is going to be a defensive, if it happens, this will be a defensive effort like we all predicted it would be at the start of the season in Australia. Yeah, you know, I think there is still time. It's just like they have to basically play perfect from here on out, especially with the schedule that they have. So we'll see what happens with the Rams. Disappointed they didn't get a receiver, but they're keeping their picks. But you want Josh Downs? You wanted Josh Downs? I did.