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After watching MNF last night, it looks as if the Rams have righted their ship. They played a solid game on the road against the team that had the best record in the NFL. They are now hot on the heals of the Cards not only for the division championship, they have a legitimate shot at HFA and a first round bye. They will not be looking past us.

Cooper Kupp, an EWU grad via the Palm Springs of Washington, is having a career year. He's the best route runner since Steve Largent and can find gaps in coverage like no other receiver in the league. Our secondary is going to have to have their chit together and our pass rush needs to get home or else Stafford will cut through us like a hot knife through butter.

One situation that bears watching is Jalen Ramsey, the CB that owns DK Metcalf. He tested positive for Covid yesterday and missed the game with the Cards. He could return in time for this Sunday's game depending on his vaccination status and subsequent testing. He reportedly feels fine. There's a number of other Rams players on the Covid list that missed Monday's game, including TE Tyler HIgbee, RB Darrel Henderson, CB Donte Deayon, and OT Rob Havenstein. Higbee could return as early as today. Not sure about the others.

League wide, 37 players tested positive for Covid on Monday, the highest single day case rate of the entire pandemic. A WFT staff member was the first in the league to test positive for the Omnicom variant.

For us, DT Bryan Mone is listed as questionable with a sprained knee. CB DJ Reed is also listed as questionable, but Pete expects him to play. RB Travis Homer, OT Brandon Shell, and C Kyle Fuller are all out although Pete "remains hopeful" that Homer will be able to play Sunday.

This is virtually the season for us. Lose this game and we'll assure ourselves of our first losing season in 10 years and eliminate all reasonable hope of a playoff berth.

Great Rundown, remember too that Donald will live in Wilsons head all week

Rams 34
Sea 13

This is the key to the last quarter for Seattle . Win you’re odds on favorite to go 8-8. Lose and the rats start abandoning the ship . Must win

Hawktawk wrote:This is the key to the last quarter for Seattle . Win you’re odds on favorite to go 8-8. Lose and the rats start abandoning the ship . Must win

I'll bet you any amount that you want that we won't finish 8-8.

We always have a tough time with the Rams, and if they've turned it up a notch for the final stretch we could have a very long day.
On the other hand if they have an emotional letdown, we could surprise them but all games are now must wins. It's a playoff
scenario for the Seahawks every game now but unfortunately it isn't all up to us.

Hawktawk wrote:This is the key to the last quarter for Seattle . Win you’re odds on favorite to go 8-8. Lose and the rats start abandoning the ship . Must win

RiverDog wrote:I'll bet you any amount that you want that we won't finish 8-8.

We might visit there but we certainly will not finish there.

We're as good against the Rams as the Rams are good against the Niners, and as good as the Niners are against the Seahawks. It's a Bermuda Triangle.

I’ve said ad nauseum we may get to 8-8 ,we better if we win Sunday . Any goodwill from a win streak goes down the toilet with a home loss to either Bears or Detroit . Then the rubber match against Az . So either 9-8 or the inverse .

I didn’t forget how long the year is . 7 Rams are on Covid now including OBJ. Just announced. This is getting very depressing .

Hawktawk wrote:I’ve said ad nauseum we may get to 8-8 ,we better if we win Sunday . Any goodwill from a win streak goes down the toilet with a home loss to either Bears or Detroit . Then the rubber match against Az . So either 9-8 or the inverse .

I didn’t forget how long the year is . 7 Rams are on Covid now including OBJ. Just announced. This is getting very depressing .

Just giving you crap, my friend!

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... er-higbee/

More then just a few on The Rams new Covid List. Interesting that all these positives came the day after a game. Lets see if it impales the Cardinals later in the week.

The NBA and NHL have been whacked this week and the NFL is on the verge of a major breakout and there really is nothing the teams can do about it. Luckily it seems to be on many of the vaxed players and they aren't getting 'sick' so to speak.

It’s primarily a virus spread as an aerosol
. I can’t imagine anything more likely to spread it than athletic activity in close quarters . Still it’s odd how many vaxxed players are infected . Are they taking boosters ? Just an overall creepy time on planet earth .

jshawaii22 wrote:https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/12/14/rams-place-nine-on-covid-19-lists-activate-tyler-higbee/

More then just a few on The Rams new Covid List. Interesting that all these positives came the day after a game. Lets see if it impales the Cardinals later in the week.

Jalen Ramsey and Darrell Henderson Jr. tested positive on Monday before the game and were ruled out and they had two players that tested positive on Sunday the 12th, so not all of them were positive after the Cards game.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/injuries/_/name/lar

jshawaii22 wrote:The NBA and NHL have been whacked this week and the NFL is on the verge of a major breakout and there really is nothing the teams can do about it. Luckily it seems to be on many of the vaxed players and they aren't getting 'sick' so to speak.

It's coinciding with a nation wide surge in cases, but it's hitting some teams worse than others. Rams have had 11 positives since Saturday the 11th.
Ramblow better re-evaluate his prediction.

L.A. now has 13 players on its COVID-19 lists, with the nine placements on Tuesday joining Ramsey, running back Darrell Henderson, right tackle Rob Havenstein, and cornerback Donte Deayon.

Yes, some of them are practice squad and one was on IR, but still.... that's 13 out of 70 ish players, so it's not a small number. Either way, as long as Aaron and the rest of the D-Line are active it will be a looooonnnng day for Russell.

If there was anytime to go with the jumbo package, this game with the Rams might be it. Donald is a better pass rusher than he is a run stopper. If we can minimize the havoc he and Ramsey typically wreak on our passing game by going more with the run we might have a chance.

jshawaii22 wrote:L.A. now has 13 players on its COVID-19 lists, with the nine placements on Tuesday joining Ramsey, running back Darrell Henderson, right tackle Rob Havenstein, and cornerback Donte Deayon.

Yes, some of them are practice squad and one was on IR, but still.... that's 13 out of 70 ish players, so it's not a small number. Either way, as long as Aaron and the rest of the D-Line are active it will be a looooonnnng day for Russell.

So long as they're vaccinated, all they need is not to be showing any symptoms and pass two negative tests spaced 24 hours apart and they can return. We'll see what the list looks like later this week.

The Rams had to close their practice facility yesterday due to a Covid outbreak:

After setting a single-day record for COVID positives across the league Monday, the Los Angeles Rams were forced to close their team facility on Tuesday, while the Cleveland Browns also moved into the league’s enhanced protocols after placing eight players — including four starters — onto the COVID reserve list. The NFL hit a single-day high of 37 positive tests among players Monday, then rolled into Tuesday with the Rams and Browns both bracing for more positive tests.

Among some of the notable names that landed on the COVID-reserve list in the past several days: wideout Odell Beckham Jr., cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Tyler Higbee and offensive tackle Rob Havenstein of the Rams;

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/th ... d=msedgntp

There's likely to be more positive tests as the week moves forward. This could have a major impact on the game this weekend. Stay tuned.

With this Omacron I heard this morning that it completely punches through the J&J. It’s considered far less lethal but still a positive test . I think if the league and the general public don’t make serious adjustments they are gonna have a bunch of positive tests . I lost another good friend yesterday. Used to run a cool whiskey bar called Moses Hole . Nicest guy I ever knew , kind hearted . 50 years old

Hawktawk wrote:With this Omacron I heard this morning that it completely punches through the J&J. It’s considered far less lethal but still a positive test . I think if the league and the general public don’t make serious adjustments they are gonna have a bunch of positive tests . I lost another good friend yesterday. Used to run a cool whiskey bar called Moses Hole . Nicest guy I ever knew , kind hearted . 50 years old

It doesn't "completely" punch through the J&J vaccine, but you're right, it's considerably more resistant to it than the other vaccines:

The (J&J) vaccine appears to provide some defense against omicron, perhaps via other means such as stimulation of immune cells, according to Penny Moore, a South African virologist. The findings are consistent with other studies that show a partial loss of potency against COVID-19 for a number of vaccines, with J&J’s antibody protection looking particularly weak in the lab test.

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/12/ ... -in-study/

And there's information from studies in Israel and the UK that a vaccinated individual that has received a booster receives a 25 fold increase in protection against Omicron. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone as they've been telling us for months that a variant was likely to emerge that would evade the vaccines and require a booster.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Omicron is more virulent but less deadly. The good news is a smaller percentage of patients will die and be hospitalized, the bad news is that figures to be a smaller percentage of a much greater number.

I changed my pick for our game with the Lambs this morning.

I see where McVay said that ...every single person is vaccinated that we’re talking about (that is on the Covid reserve list).

That means that all the Rams players will have to do is be symptom free and take two negative tests 24 hours apart in order to be eligible. Of course, the week isn't over yet and there's a very good possibility that there will be more positive tests, perhaps close enough to game time to where they have to sit out.

Please, let's stay away from vaccine debates. We recently headed down that rabbit hole and it wasn't a positive direction. There is a lot of polarization around this topic.

trents wrote:Please, let's stay away from vaccine debates. We recently headed down that rabbit hole and it wasn't a positive direction. There is a lot of polarization around this topic.

Agreed.

I only brought up the subject as it relates to our game this Sunday as there's a difference between a player's eligibility to play against us depending on their vaccination status. As a matter of fact, I intentionally didn't include some of the quotes from McVay about the vaccines.

trents wrote:Please, let's stay away from vaccine debates. We recently headed down that rabbit hole and it wasn't a positive direction. There is a lot of polarization around this topic.

RiverDog wrote:Agreed.

I only brought up the subject as it relates to our game this Sunday as there's a difference between a player's eligibility to play against us depending on their vaccination status. As a matter of fact, I intentionally didn't include some of the quotes from McVay about the vaccines.

I'll certainly refrain from getting on a soapbox and advocating shots for everyone like it or not, but I'll not walk on eggshells around covid news that is pertinent as it relates to the NFL, NFL policies and how they effect the Seahawks.

RiverDog wrote:I see where McVay said that ...every single person is vaccinated that we’re talking about (that is on the Covid reserve list).

That means that all the Rams players will have to do is be symptom free and take two negative tests 24 hours apart in order to be eligible. Of course, the week isn't over yet and there's a very good possibility that there will be more positive tests, perhaps close enough to game time to where they have to sit out.

Yeah, I may have been hasty, but I can always change it back.

Nuff said.

Rams had 3 more players added to the Covid list yesterday:

Los Angeles announced on Wednesday that outside linebacker Justin Hollins, tight end Johnny Mundt, and tight end Jared Pinkney have all been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

That brings the Rams’ total to 16 players between the 53-man roster and practice squad, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey and receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Hollins was just activated from injured reserve after he’d been out since Week Three. In his first game back on Monday, he had two tackles in his 17 defense snaps and three special teams snaps.

Hollins has 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble on the season.

Mundt has been out since tearing his ACL in the Week Six win over the Giants. Pinkney has been on the club’s practice squad.

Right tackle Rob Havenstein and running back Darrell Henderson are also on Los Angeles’ COVID-19 list.

RiverDog wrote:Rams had 3 more players added to the Covid list yesterday:

Los Angeles announced on Wednesday that outside linebacker Justin Hollins, tight end Johnny Mundt, and tight end Jared Pinkney have all been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

That brings the Rams’ total to 16 players between the 53-man roster and practice squad, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey and receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Hollins was just activated from injured reserve after he’d been out since Week Three. In his first game back on Monday, he had two tackles in his 17 defense snaps and three special teams snaps.

Hollins has 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble on the season.

Mundt has been out since tearing his ACL in the Week Six win over the Giants. Pinkney has been on the club’s practice squad.

Right tackle Rob Havenstein and running back Darrell Henderson are also on Los Angeles’ COVID-19 list.

Do you really want to win like that River, on a fraud? I dont know I get it, why should their problems constitute a concern on ours.

RiverDog wrote:Rams had 3 more players added to the Covid list yesterday:

Los Angeles announced on Wednesday that outside linebacker Justin Hollins, tight end Johnny Mundt, and tight end Jared Pinkney have all been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

That brings the Rams’ total to 16 players between the 53-man roster and practice squad, including cornerback Jalen Ramsey and receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Hollins was just activated from injured reserve after he’d been out since Week Three. In his first game back on Monday, he had two tackles in his 17 defense snaps and three special teams snaps.

Hollins has 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble on the season.

Mundt has been out since tearing his ACL in the Week Six win over the Giants. Pinkney has been on the club’s practice squad.

Right tackle Rob Havenstein and running back Darrell Henderson are also on Los Angeles’ COVID-19 list.

obiken wrote:Do you really want to win like that River, on a fraud? I dont know I get it, why should their problems constitute a concern on ours.

Yes. Absolutely beats the alternative.

Weird that an LA team is blowing up and we’re not having near the problems . Who is out clubbing ? Partying ? Luck of the draw ? Are some players violating protocols more than others . And you all misunderstand what McVay is saying . The fact they are all vaccinated means they can return in less time . It proves vaccinated people shed the virus load far quicker making them less contagious . The fact almost all are asymptomatic shows the protection . If those FACTS annoy some anti vax person oh well. I hope they all get back but if they don’t it’s no different than us with no starting QB for 6 games or no running backs for most games . GO HAWKS!!!

Hawktawk wrote:Weird that an LA team is blowing up and we’re not having near the problems . Who is out clubbing ? Partying ? Luck of the draw ? Are some players violating protocols more than others . And you all misunderstand what McVay is saying . The fact they are all vaccinated means they can return in less time . It proves vaccinated people shed the virus load far quicker making them less contagious . The fact almost all are asymptomatic shows the protection . If those FACTS annoy some anti vax person oh well. I hope they all get back but if they don’t it’s no different than us with no starting QB for 6 games or no running backs for most games . GO HAWKS!!!

We can rap Pete for a lot of things, but one of them is not the way he's managed our team during the pandemic. Last season, we were the only NFL team without a positive test and this season, we've had just one:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/ca ... uxbndlbing

There's also some evidence that it may have more to do with the community than with the teams themselves:

The coronavirus is making its way through multiple Los Angeles sports teams including the Rams, the Lakers and UCLA's (men's) basketball team.

An outbreak forced the cancellation of the UCLA men's basketball game while the Rams were forced to place three more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The news comes a day after the Lakers canceled their scheduled practice Tuesday and had players take COVID-19 tests. The move came after third-year guard Talen Horton-Tucker tested positive for COVID-19, ESPN reported.

UCLA on Wednesday issued a statement at 7:01 p.m. that its "men's basketball home game against Alabama State on Dec. 15, will not be played as scheduled due to COVID-19 protocols." The game had been set to start at 8:05 p.m.

https://news.yahoo.com/rams-lakers-brui ... 45050.html

BTW, it's already been expressed by several posters that we steer away from the vaccination debate in this forum, so how about we save it for the OT forum.

I'm sorry Riv, the virus and it's effects on our team and our opponents are not off topic.

It directly affects our possibility to win or not just like if the opponent had a rash of injuries.
If it continues to hit the Rams hard then we might be able to pull out a win. If they are otherwise healthy not as much.
Speaking of Rams injuries there's a report Donald has a knee injury and didn't practice yesterday. He will probably show up on game day but might not be as dominant.

c_hawkbob wrote:I'm sorry Riv, the virus and it's effects on our team and our opponents are not off topic.

True, but we can have a civil discussion about the effects the virus has on or team or our opponent without including inflammatory remarks such as If those FACTS annoy some anti vax person oh well. IMO that's an unnecessary waving of a red cape in front of the bull and an invitation to take the discussion in a different route.

I'm not trying to act like a moderator, just trying to help us self-regulate and not discourage participation from others.

I don't think it was inflammatory, I saw it as Hawktawk agreeing with me that the mere mention of the virus needn't be censured. He didn't come down on one side or the other of the "vaccine debate".

c_hawkbob wrote:I don't think it was inflammatory, I saw it as Hawktawk agreeing with me that the mere mention of the virus needn't be censured. He didn't come down on one side or the other of the "vaccine debate".

Yea, well I saw it differently, so I said something.

Do you guys remember Human Cockroach? Him and anthony once got into a very childish exchange. It irritated a 3rd poster who subsequently registered a complaint, forcing Yoder to step in and rap both HC and anthony across the knuckles by threatening the two of them with suspension if they didn't cease. It pissed off HC and that was the last we ever saw of him. Roach was a great football mind, and our forum is poorer for not having the benefit of his contributions.

That's why I feel it important that we self-regulate and do our best to keep this a friendly place that encourages participation without the intervention of a moderator. I don't think it too much to ask that we refrain from talking about annoying anti vaxxers in a football forum as it encourages taking the discussion away from football. JMHO.

I'll leave this at referring to what I said about walking on eggshells. IMO nothing that has been said in this entire thread is worthy of the current exchange we are having.

c_hawkbob wrote:I'll leave this at referring to what I said about walking on eggshells. IMO nothing that has been said in this entire thread is worthy of the current exchange we are having.

Yeah, well again, I disagree. Sometimes we do have to walk on eggshells to avoid provoking others. If I see something I think is inappropriate, I'm going to speak my mind and be as friendly as I can about it, and I'll leave it at that.

Hey RD. Love ya buddy . Get a grip buddy . This is totally relevant to Seattle , the Rams and the entire league . I’ve seen interviews with coaches , Goodell , the league physician etc . It’s all on NFL network , ESPN etc . Not CNN.

The topic of the pandemic that’s killed 2 unvaccinated friends now is on OT in several threads . That’s where I’ve discussed the Pandemic . Discussing the potential impacts and the facts regarding vaccines and regulations based on science that the league has implemented is relevant to football.

I saw a reporter speculate the league may begin allowing fully vaxxed players to play before obtaining 2 negative tests 24 hours apart . That’s relevant . Goodell said in his comments . “ there’s pandemic fatigue not just in the NFL but everywhere but our experts are telling us vaccines and boosters are the best defense we have “ it’s obviously not foolproof but we are primarily concerned with keeping our people safe “ . I think all this is extremely relevant to the game and anyone is free to disagree . This will be my last post regarding this miserable plague on this side of the forum .

Hawktawk wrote:This will be my last post regarding this miserable plague on this side of the forum .

That's all I was asking. Thank you!

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/12/16/rams-add-von-miller-eight-others-to-covid-19-reserve-list/

RAms now have 25 players in the protocol. I still say as long as Aaron Donald is on the field we'll have issues.