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 Monday October 31st about your Los Angeles Rams.
MIDSEASON PREDICTIONS
NFL.com analysts have made their midseason predictions for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and more, and there are some familiar faces for the Rams included at the season's halfway mark.
Most Valuable Player
1. Patrick Mahomes (10 votes: Battista, Bush, Carr, Chadiha, Hanzus, Harrison, Jeremiah, Rank, Schein, Shook)
2. Todd Gurley (6 votes: Bergman, Brandt, Jones, Jones-Drew, Trotter, Wayne)
3. Drew Brees (4 votes: Frelund, O'Hara, Sessler, Teope)
Offensive Player of the Year
1. Patrick Mahomes (10 votes: Brandt, Casserly, Chadiha, Hanzus, Jones-Drew, O'Hara, Rank, Sessler, Trotter, Wayne)
2. Todd Gurley (6 votes: Battista, Bergman, Frelund, Harrison, Schein, Shook)
3. Drew Brees (2 votes: Bush, Teope)
Why Judy Battista chose Todd Gurley: He is simply the engine for the NFL's only undefeated team. Gurley has scored 15 scrimmage touchdowns, the most in the NFL this season. And he ALSO leads the league in scrimmage yards (1,151), rushing yards (800), rushing touchdowns (11) and touches (200).
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Aaron Donald (13 votes: Battista, Bergman, Brandt, Carr, Hanzus, Harrison, Jeremiah, Jones-Drew, O'Hara, Schein, Shook, Trotter, Wayne)
T-2. Khalil Mack (4 votes: Bush, Jones, Rank, Sessler)
T-2. J.J. Watt (4 votes: Casserly, Chadiha, Frelund, Teope)
Why Maurice Jones-Drew chose Aaron Donald: Donald has 10 sacks in the last five games. Are you kidding?! The Rams defensive tackle is affecting the game from the interior like we've never seen before. With the win, he joins J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor as the only players to win DPOY in back-to-back years.
Coach of the Year
1. Sean McVay (10 votes: Bergman, Chadiha, Jeremiah, Rank, Schein, Sessler, Shook, Teope, Trotter, Wayne)
2. Andy Reid (9 votes: Battista, Brandt, Bush, Carr, Casserly, Harrison, Jones, Jones-Drew, O'Hara)
T-3. Sean Payton (1 vote: Frelund)
T-3. Ron Rivera (1 vote: Hanzus)
Why Daniel Jeremiah chose Sean McVay: This is an easy choice. McVay has established a winning culture built on aggressiveness and creativity.
For the entire lists and all midseason predictions, click here.
HELP ON THE WAY
Just before Tuesday's trading deadline, the Rams added OLB Dante Fowler to its roster, exchanging draft picks with Jacksonville.
Here's how Skyler Carlin of NFL Analysis Network believes Fowler can help the undefeated Rams:
1. Fowler Improves the Rams Pass Rush
Through eight weeks, the Rams defense has mustered up 22 sacks (eighth in the NFL). The thing is, Donald has accounted for 10 of those, Ndamukong Suh has three and Cory Littleton has three.
That means all of their other guys have managed to come away with just six sacks combined. This is why the Rams felt the need to make a move before the deadline hit.
In his three-year career (sat out in 2015 due to injury), Fowler has 14 sacks, mostly coming from being a rotational pass-rusher.
2. If Fowler Plays Well He Could Be Part of the Rams Future
As the Rams continue building a better team, there's going to be decisions that need to be made. With the addition of Fowler, he will become one of those important decisions next off-season.
After this season, Fowler becomes an unrestricted free-agent. If he plays well enough, Fowler could be receiving a contract extension, becoming a piece of the Rams future (of course it would need to be at the right price).
3. Fowler Gives the Rams a Better Chance to Win Now
From the very beginning of the off-season, the Rams showed how committed they were to turning this franchise around as soon as possible.
That mentality has carried on through the regular season, with the Rams staying aggressive at the trade deadline.
If Fowler is able to reach his true potential, he could become a key contributor in the Rams efforts to bring the Lombardi trophy back to the City of Angels.
To view the full article, click here.
