Each weekday, theRams.com will be taking a look around the internet for the top Rams headlines of the day. Here's a look at what's out there for Thursday, December 20th about your Los Angeles Rams.
EXECS PICK A.D.
NFL.com's Tom Pelissero put together his major awards list for the 2018 season. Pelissero called upon high-ranking executives in personnel from 22 teams for their take on the year's MVP, Rookie of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Head Coach of the Year, and other awards.
The panel overwhelming took defensive tackle Aaron Donald as this season's defensive player of the year.
Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
"Donald got 13 votes in this category -- as well as one for MVP, from an AFC GM who put it simply: "He's basically unblockable." An NFC executive who voted for Donald pointed in part to his 16.5 sacks from the interior, compared to 12.5 off the edge for Khalil Mack (who missed two games because of an ankle injury). As an NFC personnel director put it regarding the Rams star: "That guy's just a f---ing freak."
For Pelissero's full article, click here.
START OF THE WEEK
NFL.com's Michael Fabiano tabbed the Los Angeles Rams defense as his 'Start of the Week' in his weekly advice to fantasy football owners in 'Start 'Em, Sit 'Em.' The Rams defense shut out the Cardinals Week 2 in L.A., and Fabiano says defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and his 11 will likely continue their success against Arizona.
Start of the Week - Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals
"The Rams defense put up a stinker last week, scoring just one fantasy point in a loss to the Eagles. I'd stick with them against the Cardinals, though, as enemy defenses have averaged over 12 fantasy points against them over the last four weeks. Look for the Los Angeles defense to feast on plenty of red bird for the holiday season."
For Fabiano's full article, click here.
Check out photos of the Rams playing the Cardinals throughout the years.
Defensive tackle (90) Michael Brockers of the Los Angeles Rams tackles (11) Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (10) Pharoh Cooper of the Los Angeles Rams returns a punt against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams speaks to head coach Sean McVay during a timeout against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive end (96) Matt Longacre of the Los Angeles Rams against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Wide receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams catches pass and runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 32-16 victory over the Cardinals in a Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday, December 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Offensive Guard (76) Rodger Saffold of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams win 34-0 in an NFL Week 02 game, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 16th, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif (Rams/Hiro Ueno)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (18) rushes the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 16th, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif (Rams/Hiro Ueno)
Cornerback (22) Marcus Peters of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams win 34-0 in an NFL Week 02 game, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Cornerback (32) Troy Hill of the Los Angeles Rams against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 34-0 victory over the Cardinals in an NFL Week 2 football game, Sunday, September 16, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (52) Ramik Wilson of the Los Angeles Rams makes a tackle against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 34-0 victory over the Cardinals in an NFL Week 2 football game, Sunday, September 16, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) pressures Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford (9) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 16th, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif (Rams/Hiro Ueno)
Offensive tackle (77) Andrew Whitworth of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams win 34-0 in an NFL Week 02 game, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the Rams 34-0 victory over the Cardinals in an NFL Week 2 football game, Sunday, September 16, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Running-back #30 Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams with his third touchdown of the day during the Rams 34-0 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL season game two match, on September 16, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. (Daniel Bowyer/Rams)
Defensive lineman (94) John Franklin-Myers of the Los Angeles Rams faces off against the Arizona Cardinals, the Rams win 34-0 in an NFL Week 02 game, Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
WEEK 16 PICKS
Bleacher Report's NFL Staff overwhelmingly picked the Rams to bounce back against the Cardinals and get back into the win column in Week 16. The group points to L.A.'s success against teams with a losing record in 2018.
"In their four games this season against teams that are currently 5-9 or worse, they outscored the competition 136-39, with all four wins coming by at least two touchdowns. One of those victories came by a 34-0 margin against these very same Cardinals, who are indeed weak following a 14-point loss to the struggling Lions and a 26-point defeat at the hands of the free-falling Falcons. They've lost five games by more than 17 points this season, which is something that has happened to only two other teams more than three times."
Score Prediction: Los Angeles 34, Arizona 13
For all Week 16 predictions, click here.
