Sports

Rams roundtable: Will 49ers sit their starters? Playoff date ahead in Detroit?

Published

2 years ago

January 2, 2024

Rams roundtable: Will 49ers sit their starters? Playoff date ahead in Detroit?

The Rams held on to defeat the New York Giants on the road when Mason Crosby, who was a member of the Rams for a week, missed a potential game-winning 54-yard field goal in the waning seconds. The Rams clinched a playoff spot when Seattle lost to Pittsburgh later in the day. Los Angeles Times Rams beat writer Gary Klein, NFL columnist Sam Farmer and columnist Dylan Hernández discuss what happened and upcoming prospects:

Matthew Stafford aside, who do you think has made the biggest difference on the improving Rams’ offense this season — running back Kyren Williams or receiver Puka Nacua?

Farmer: Puka Nacua has been spectacular. What a find. But Kyren Williams changes the whole complexion of the offense. Williams has made the biggest impact, not just in running the ball but in protecting Stafford.

Klein: Sorry, they both made huge impacts. The Rams would not be going to the playoffs without either one of them. Nacua has made multiple big plays as a receiver and also has contributed as a runner and blocker in the rushing attack. Williams has made the rushing attack go, and that has helped the passing attack.

Hernandez: Williams opens up the field for Nacua and vice versa, no? That said, if you put a gun to my head and make me pick one, I’d go with Williams. He gives the Rams a running game they haven’t had since Todd Gurley was healthy.

The Rams’ Kyren Williams (23), who scored three times against the New York Giants, find running room.

(Adam Hunger / Associated Press)

Aaron Donald aside, who have been the new stalwarts on defense for the Rams, who have been elevated by many young players.

Klein: Lineman Kobie Turner and edge rusher Byron Young have been starters since the start of the season. And they have played very well during the Rams’ second-half run. But the Rams also have received significant contributions from cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon — a veteran-minimum signee — and second-year safety Quentin Lake.

Hernandez: Rookies Kobie Turner and Byron Young continue to be impressive. Obviously, there are benefits to playing with Aaron Donald and they’re taking full advantage of it.

What worries you most about the Rams’ performance against the Giants for the future?

Farmer: The Rams have shown an inability to close the deal in the red zone. That’s a big concern. The kicking game, and coverage teams, have had some big breakdowns. This is one of the youngest teams in the league, so how are those guys going to hold up in the pressure cooker of the playoffs?

Klein: I’m not worried about anything, but Sean McVay is concerned about special teams. And with good reason. The Rams also are giving up a lot of explosive plays. Matthew Stafford will be fine.

Hernandez: OK, I know I just complimented Kyren Williams and the running game, but the Rams really had trouble moving the ball and running down the clock. This could be a problem if they find themselves with a lead in the playoffs.

Do you think the 49ers, who already clinched the top seed in the NFC, and the Rams will play starters in the season finale? For Rams, it is a matter of if they get seed 6 or 7.

Farmer: The Rams will play their starters. They need to keep the momentum going. It would make sense for the 49ers to rest players, seeing as they have already locked up the No. 1 seed. But do they really want to sit guys for three weeks? That’s a real cost-benefit analysis.

Klein: Don’t know all of the playoff scenarios yet. But it seems like the Rams would want to be seeded as high as possible, especially if it means avoiding a playoff matchup against the 49ers. And yes, the Rams beat the 49ers in the NFC championship game two years ago. But if not for a dropped interception …

Hernandez: I wouldn’t. Too much could go wrong. Look at what happened to the Chargers last year with Mike Williams. (Editor’s note: The Chargers’ starting receiver was lost for the season because of an injury in a meaningless Week 18 game.)

The Rams will be either the No. 6 (likely against Detroit) or 7 seed (likely Dallas) after Week 18. Which would be a better matchup for the Rams?

Farmer: There are big challenges with either of those opponents, so I’m going to go with my interest in story lines. Rams-Lions is preferable by far. It would be Matthew Stafford going back to Detroit to at long last play a postseason game at Ford Field, and Detroit’s Jared Goff looking to show Sean McVay the door. Is this football or a soap opera?

Hernandez: Yeah, who cares about which would be the better matchup for the Rams? Our concern should be which is the better matchup for the L.A. Times, and that’s unquestionably the Lions. Think about it: Matthew Stafford returns as an opponent to a city in which he remains beloved. Sam can spend a week in the great city of Detroit reporting that story.

Klein: Agreed who cares about what’s better for the Rams? For sure, the best story line is Rams vs. Lions with Matthew Stafford returning to Detroit to face Jared Goff. That’s also probably a better matchup for the Rams. Despite the Cowboys’ recent playoff history, McVay and Stafford would gladly avoid having to play Micah Parsons.

Sports

Ole Miss staffer references Aaron Hernandez while discussing ‘chaotic’ coaching complications with LSU

Published

9 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Ole Miss staffer references Aaron Hernandez while discussing ‘chaotic’ coaching complications with LSU

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The chaos between LSU coaches who left Ole Miss alongside Lane Kiffin but are still coaching the Rebels in the College Football Playoff is certainly a whirlwind.

Joe Judge, Ole Miss’ quarterbacks coach, has found himself in the thick of the drama — while he is not headed for Baton Rouge, he’s had to wonder who he will be working with on a weekly basis.

When asked this week about what it’s like to go through all the trials and tribulations, Judge turned heads with his answer that evoked his New England Patriots days.

Aaron Hernandez sits in the courtroom of the Attleboro District Court during his hearing. Former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Odin Lloyd in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, on Aug. 22, 2013. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

“My next-door neighbor was Aaron Hernandez,” Judge said, according to CBS Sports. “I know this is still more chaotic.”

Hernandez was found guilty of the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, which occurred just three years into his NFL career.

“If you watch those documentaries, my house is on the TV next door,” Judge added. “The detectives knocked on my door to find out where he was. I didn’t know. We just kind of talked to the organization. But it was obviously chaotic.”

Aaron Hernandez was convicted of the 2013 murder of semipro football player Odin Lloyd. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

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Judge, though, was able to compare the two situations to see how players can combat wild distractions.

“Those players that year handled that extremely well. Came out of that chaos, and we had some really good direction inside with some veterans and some different guys. You have something like that happen — how do you handle something like that? How do you deal with something like that? So you keep the focus on what you can handle, what you can control, which at that time was football for us, and we went through the stretch, and we were able to have success that year,” Judge said.

Judge also compared this scenario to the 2020 NFL season when he was head coach of the New York Giants, saying he would have “no idea” who would be available due to surprise positive COVID-19 tests.

Head coach Joe Judge of the New York Giants looks on during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. The game took place in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Dec. 19, 2021. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Rebels face Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, the College Football Playoff Semifinal, on Thursday night.

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Sports

Prep talk: Calabasas basketball team is surging with 11 wins in last 12 games

Published

10 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Prep talk: Calabasas basketball team is surging with 11 wins in last 12 games

Calabasas pulled off a huge win in high school basketball on Tuesday night, handing Thousand Oaks its first defeat after 16 victories in a Marmonte League opener.

The Coyotes (13-5) have quietly turned around their season after a 2-4 start, winning 11 of their last 12 games.

One of the major contributors has been 6-foot-3 junior guard Johnny Thyfault, who’s averaging 16 points and has become a fan favorite because of his dunking skills. He also leads the team in taking charging fouls.

He transferred to Calabasas after his freshman year at Viewpoint.

As for beating Thousand Oaks, coach Jon Palarz said, “We got to play them at home and had great effort.”

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Sports

Hawks trade 4-time All-Star Trae Young to Wizards in blockbuster deal: reports

Published

21 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Hawks trade 4-time All-Star Trae Young to Wizards in blockbuster deal: reports

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The Atlanta Hawks have parted ways with four-time NBA All-Star point guard Trae Young, trading him to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster move, according to ESPN.

The Hawks will reportedly be receiving veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert in the deal.

Washington was Young’s preferred destination, and the two sides were working on a deal to get the 27-year-old point guard to the nation’s capital.

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Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round 1 Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. ( Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Young’s agents were having conversations with the Hawks, who sit at 17-21 so far this season, about trading their client out of Atlanta.

There is a mutual connection in Washington, too, as executive Travis Schlenk drafted Young fifth overall in 2018 out of Oklahoma.

It marks the end of an era for the Hawks. Young has been the focal point of their offense since he was taken in that draft. He is the team’s career leader in three-pointers and assists, having led the team to the postseason in three of his eight seasons. The Hawks went the furthest in 2021, where they made the Eastern Conference Finals.

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However, the new era was brewing already in Atlanta, with forward Jalen Johnson taking the next step in his career, averaging 23.7 points per game this season. The pickup of Nickeil Alexander-Walker also helps, as he’s averaged 20.5 points per game in 36 appearances.

Meanwhile, Young has played just 10 games this season, as he’s been dealing with leg injuries, most notably a right MCL sprain.

Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks looks on after the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Hawks also get some flexibility on their books, as they could make some more moves. Anthony Davis is reportedly available from the Dallas Mavericks, making him a good target for Atlanta.

Young has $95 million remaining on his deal that runs through the 2026-27 season, which includes a player option this offseason.

Atlanta will be taking on McCollum’s contract, though the veteran guard has a $30.6 million expiring deal.

Through his 10 games this season, Young is averaging 19.2 points, 8.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.5% from the field.

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks drives down the court during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena on April 7, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Over his career, Young has dropped 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game, while leading the league in the latter category last season with 11.6 per contest.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.