NFL Football – Rams Analysis
The St. Louis Rams find themselves in a very familiar spot heading into the 2014 season – tons of promise but a largely unproven roster. A glance at their schedule shows a typically brutal schedule for a team in need of some powder-puff games in order to get over the hump.
Rams Odds [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Odds to win the 2015 Super Bowl XLIX: 50/1
Odds to win the 2015 NFC Conference: 28/1
Season Win Total: 7 wins
Two games each against the Seahawks, the 49ers and the Cardinals will be a test for sure – games at Philadelphia, at Arrowhead further add to the difficulty of the Rams’ 2014 slate. Let’s break it down game-by-game.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Week 1 may be a gift for the NFL Scheduling Gods – who knows who Minnesota’s QB will be heading into Week 1? All the Rams will have to do is stop Adrian Peterson – no easy task I know. But at home, against a sketchy defense and one dimensional offense, I like the Rams to kick it off in style.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, at Tampa Bay, 4:05 p.m.
The Rams have won their last two meetings with the Bucs but Tampa is a completely different team than in years past. Lovie Smith brings instant credibility to the Bucs, who will surely be improved this year. Tampa’s defense is legit – the Rams on the road are not a good bet in this situation.
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Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 21, Dallas, 1 p.m.
Dallas should be improved this year – I know that we say that ever year. But in a dome, expect Tony Romo and the Cowboys high powered offense to do enough here. Dallas will be motivated to get off to a strong start – I think the Rams are a victim in Week 3.
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5, at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Chip Kelly, Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and now Darren Sproles will be a handful for sure. The Eagles defense is no slouch either! The Rams are in tough here – I don’t expect them to be able to handle Phil’s speed and game plan in this one.
Week 6: Monday, Oct. 13, San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.
The NFC West is as tight as it ever has been – I expect most of the teams to split their games against one another. The same rings true here. The Rams have made a habit of playing the 49ers very tough and with the 49ers defense looking a notch below past years I like the Rams, on home turf to emerge.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, Seattle, 1 p.m.
This is the only NFL West team that the Rams likely won’t split the season series. The Hawks are just too well balanced to lose to an average Rams squad. St. Louis has played the Seahawks very tough in the last few years but fall just short every time – expect more of the same.
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Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, at Kansas City, 1 p.m.
Arrowhead is one of the toughest buildings to visit – period! After a couple of seasons in which the Chiefs were generous at home they returned last year to home juggernauts. Another year with Andy Reid makes Kansas City a tough out – particularly on home turf.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.
At San Francisco – I like the 49ers to exact some revenge from an earlier loss to the Rams in St. Louis. Jeff Fischer and crew will make it tough on the Niners but not tough enough!
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, at Arizona, 4:25 p.m.
Won 30-10 the only time they played in Arizona last year but the Cards look like the team to take the next step this upcoming year. As mentioned – the Rams will likely split with three of the four teams in the NFC West – Arizona being one of them.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16, Denver, 1 p.m.
It is hard to imagine the Rams being able to put up enough points to beat Peyton and the boys!
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, at San Diego, 4:05 p.m.
Interesting game in which St. Louis’s defensive front should be able to exploit San Diego’s weak offensive line. We never know which Chargers team is going to show up but I think the Rams are in a good spot for the win here.
Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, Oakland, 1 p.m.
Everybody except for a sad couple will beat the Raiders this year!
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, at Washington, 1 p.m.
While the Redskins improved in their coaching and on offense, the glaring hole still exists – the Skins’ defense is poised to be one of the worst in the game again! That may fly against some teams but a decently rounded Rams should have their way with the dysfunctional Redskins.
Week 15: Thursday, Dec. 11, Arizona, 8:25 p.m.
Hosting Arizona – this should be a knock-down, drag-out affair. I think the Cards handle the Rams at home but the Rams take care of their own yard when the Cards com knockin’. Jeff Fischer always gets these guys up for games against NFC West foes – Week 15 will be no different.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 21, New York Giants, 4:05 p.m.
The improved Giants visit in Week 16. The team made a lot improvements in the offseason but a sketchy O-line and an untrustworthy Eli Manning still exist. New York doesn’t travel all that well – look for the Rams front four to be the difference here!
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.
It is virtually impossible to win in Seattle – unless the Seahawks have things locked up and are resting a few players. But assuming the Hawks are in a race to the end, this is a very tough spot for any team, let alone the Rams.
Prediction: All told the Rams should be an improved team this year. A .500 mark is definitely within their grasp. If they weren’t in the NFC West St. Louis could be on the cusp of a playoff spot, but having to play the Hawks, the 49ers and the Cards twice keeps them a .500 team.
I like the Rams to finish 8-8 this year and to take the next step toward respectability.
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