The Peterson Principle 1/16/2021

By Tim Peterson

Last week Jared Goff was injured so John Wolford got the start. This week Wolford is hurt so Goff will get the start. If you’re a Ram fan which scenario do you like better?

Wolford left the game early after taking a hit against the Seahawks and Goff came on and led the team to a victory. Although 9 of 19 for 155 yards and a touchdown isn’t going to set the world on fire Goff did exactly what the Rams needed. He managed the game and didn’t commit a turnover.

Goff has been the Rams quarterback for the last year, the last five years for that matter. He has experience and is in tune with the offense. He’s the guy you want out there in a game like this, at Green Bay, in the playoffs.

The fans favorite player is always the back up quarterback so it was not surprising that when Goff had his struggles everybody was pining for Wolford. He was young, mobile and well…he wasn’t Goff. And he was fine in the win over the Cardinals and so he got the call against Seattle. But even had Wolford been healthy this week Goff is the guy that needs to be out there. he gives the Rams the best chance to win.

Although it wouldn’t hurt if Cam Akers runs for 176 yards again and the defense does a number on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. With a strong run game, a stout defense and Goff behind center the Rams have a shot.

I’m not saying the Rams are going to win, I said they have a shot. Aw, what the heck? Yeah they’re going to win. Rams 23 Packers 20.

**

New Orleans will end the Bucs season Sunday. Tom Brady and Tompa Bay will go down to the Saints 34-27. Did you know Drew Brees turned 42 Friday?

Buffalo is better than a one playoff win team. Again, this is the Bills year, until the AFC Championship game. Bills 24 Ravens 21.

In the other AFC game I liked Cleveland last week, I don’t this week. My pick of the Browns was partly based on the problems the Steelers were having. I don’t see any problems that the Chiefs are having. Their defense does tend to give up some points but that won’t be anything that Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs can’t overcome by Baker Mayfield and the Browns. Chiefs 38 Browns 17.

Speaking of Mahomes and Mayfield, Fox Sports 1 showed the 2016 game between Texas Tech and Oklahoma this past week. Mahomes put ball in the air 88 times and threw for 734 yards and five touchdowns for the Red Raiders in a 66-59 loss to Mayfield and the Sooners. Mayfield was a meager 27 of 36 for 545 and seven touchdowns. In an odd stat in a game filled with bizarre numbers both teams had the exact same number of total yards-854. I saw it the first time and it was definitely worth a second look. Check it out if you get a chance.

It was kind of cool seeing Will Wolford, father of the Rams quarterback, playing offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills this week on ESPN’s 30 for 30 “The 4 Falls of Buffalo.”

**

With the hiring of Urban Meyer this week by the Jacksonville Jaguars, It still makes me wonder what would have happened if USC had fired Clay Helton after the season and then backed up the Brinks Truck for Meyer. I honestly think he would be the head coach of the Trojans today. I mean seriously where would you rather coach? USC in Los Angeles or Jacksonville? NFL or Pac 12? Florida or California? Actually, never mind.

That’s my principle

Tim can be reached at tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40.

2 Comments to "The Peterson Principle 1/16/2021"

  1. Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man's Gravatar Ron Vrooman, AHS stat man
    January 16, 2021 - 7:08 pm | Permalink

    Green Bay is now 14-3 and is heading to the NFC Championship Game for some good reasons.
    Aaron Rodgers, who played very well today, is still a great quarterback, and the Packers are showing that they can control the ball on the ground. Their defense does OK, too.
    This could be Green Bay’s year to win the Super Bowl again. The Packers will have the home-field advantage in cold Wisconsin next week.
    The Rams’ defense wasn’t its usual self with nose tackle Aaron Donald playing only sparingly, but Green Bay might’ve been the better team anyway.
    On the offensive side, L.A. was slow to establish its ground game, and quarterback Jared Goff, while avoiding mistakes, was mostly limited to short throws.
    Best of luck to the Rams next season. Rookie running back Cam Akers was definitely a good draft pick for them, and he should continue to be a force if he can stay healthy.

  2. January 16, 2021 - 10:01 am | Permalink

    Rams are done by halftime. 31-10

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