The notion anyone of the Rams "coasted in the last five weeks" is nonsensical. Entering Week 17, and for each of the four preceding weeks they had a shot at securing NFC Home Field.
Of far more concern for Rams' backers is Goff's 78 passer rating over the final six games contrasted with Prescott's 102 in the same time frame. While Pokes are a very low INT defense, if Goff hands them a couple that alone could do it as Prescott has a 59/15 td/int ratio in 45 career games with Elliott in backfield
If Goff "carves up the Boys" he will be the first to do it in 18 games so far this year.....Best of luck to anyone founding their wager on that angle
So, next year, when the shill announcers tell you that a team is playing for home field advantage in the 13th week or 14th week, after clinching their division, maybe you will not listen to them.
So you think Suh, making (guess) $12M this year, is going to tackle head first on every play with everything he's got when his team clinched the division and has 4-5 games to go? Sure when there is one left and it is clear, they will play for the bye.
Look at these teams, again, last 4-5 games: KC, Saints, Rams, Chargers, and NE. See how they did ATS. Sure NE and Rams won big last game when they knew they needed the game for a bye.
KC and Rams pounded their opponents (look at yards and first downs), played hard on D after being on cruise control for well over a month. In that mode, teams do not play defense with playoff intensity. Not at all.
-"Rams can't stop the run!!!!"
-"Chiefs can't stop the run!!!!"
Heard that over and over and over, didn't you?
They both crushed their opponents run game. I honestly did not think they would do THAT well, but I honestly thought both team's defenses would far exceed expectations.
I said the same about the Chargers on this site and they crushed Balty, they were coasting, too, until that game no matter what you want to try and tell me.
Today I lean to NE, though as I stated, the real Chargers are playing today and they are talented and hungry.
The REAL Saints should be there today and win by 2-3 TD's.
NFL is offense these days, and teams with great offenses have defensive stats that are misleading, KC and Rams D's are much better than the narrative. Saints D and Chargers D stats are pretty damn good, they seem to be above the fray.
GL!