[ad_1]
The 1972 Miami Dolphins burst into champagne last Sunday when the only undefeated NFL team, the Los Angeles Rams, lost 45-35 to the New Orleans Saints for their first loss of the season.
The main concern of this defeat was that the defense conceded 45 points and 487 total yards of offense to the Saints, a team that they could very well meet again in the playoffs.
However, despite the large number of Rams having dropped out, CBS NFL analyst James Lofton is not ready to sound the alarm. We talked to Lofton about the Rams and two AFC contenders who met on the pitch on Sunday as the Patriots fight the Titans.
Local Sports CBS: The Rams suffered their first loss of the season against New Orleans, giving up 45 points. How much are you concerned about their defense and do you think that will keep them from a Super Bowl race after the playoffs?
James Lofton: I somehow associate the Rams with Golden State Warriors. When we watch the warriors play, from time to time, they will be outdone or will not make their three.
With the Rams, they still scored 35 points against the Saints. So, the other team hit 25 to three and made only 19 to three. For the Rams and many teams that are performing well in the National Football League, this is more like a basketball game. If you can stop at the end of the first half or the fourth quarter, you have a chance to win the match.
Most teams will be able to score 24-30 points per game. The era of steel curtains or the "85 Bears", or even the "Legion de Boom", has disappeared. Yes, you need two defense game makers, but I do not think the defense will stop anyone from going to the Super Bowl. If you do not score your maximum, it's time to stop. There will be a lot of high performance games in the right way NFC and AFC.
Local Sports CBS: About the best offensives, the Patriots played explosive matches against Cordarrelle Patterson and Josh Gordon against the Packers, en route to 31 points on Sunday night. Do you think we are starting to see new weapons emerge for Brady? Or was it a plan to a Belichick game to get by the Packers?
James Lofton: Josh Gordon is. I'm coming back to a game he did not play against the Packers. The Patriots were in the 10-yard line in fourth, and Tom Brady threw the ball over a cross-fist in the end zone. Gordon slipped. They approached Brady and he laughed and shook his head. But at that moment, Josh Gordon was the ideal guy. It says a lot about what the coaching staff thinks of him and Tom Brady's.
Let's not forget that there was neither Rob Gronkowski nor Sony Michel in this game. It's a team that just finds a way to say, "OK, what are the three or four things this player does well? Let's do these things. Cordarrelle Patterson is a physical runner so strong that they took advantage of it.
Offensive coordinators can have good games, but we always hear people say, "Think players do not play"
One more thing, do you remember the second week when the Patriots played against Lions and Matt Patricia? I do not know if everyone in New England building always knows when they play a disciple of Bill Belichick, but I wonder if that falls into their head. I'm interested to see if this will be the case with the Titans and Mike Vrabel. This is an interesting X factor for this game.
Local Sports CBS: Like the Patriots, the Titans launched their offensive on Monday, what did you see of their match against the Cowboys that made them so effective?
James Lofton: Marcus Mariota is a talented player and he had a great game. They managed to find a player in the Cowboys' high school and complete a few passes in his direction, much like a Patriots team.
You are not looking to throw the ball against the cornerback or the All-Pro security These are essentially non-pitching areas, especially with a young quarterback. Finding the match you like and Marcus Mariota playing with his legs join together for good game planning, that's what made them effective against the Cowboys.
[ad_2]
Source link
