Rams Drop Balls and Game 17 - 13

Well unfortunately I was correct and the Rams lost a close one 17-13 to the Arizona Cardinals Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome before a spirited crowd. The Rams still need to learn to crawl before they walk and still need to learn how to win and play 60 minutes of NFL football. This has been a problem for quite some time with the Rams.

Midway through the 3rd quarter it appeared the St. Louis Rams may be on their way to victory when C.J. Ah You forced a Derek Anderson fumble with the Rams leading 13-10. Clifton Ryan picked up the ball with only green between himself and the goal line. Somehow Steve Breaston who also caught 7 passes for 132 yards caught Ryan from behind and knocked the ball out of his hands as he was heading into the end zone. The Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein somehow beat everyone to the loose ball and recovered it for a touchback. Replays showed that Ryan did not cross the goal line prior to the fumble.

The Rams held a 13-10 lead for most of the second half but could not put the game away. In a sloppy game the Rams had a ton of chances as the Cardinals fumbled 7 times with the Rams recovering 4 of those but could not turn them into points. In addition Ran Bartell and Kevin Dockery each dropped interceptions and many of Sam Bradford's passes were dropped.

We have seen this game many times before, the Rams hang in there but just can't get the job done. The defense that played well for most of the day allowed the Cardinals to drive 75 yards late in the 3rd before a fumble ended that drive. On the ensuing Cardinals drive they marched right down the field 86 yards in 7 plays taking a 17-13 lead on 2nd and 20 with a 21 yard pass from Derek Anderson to Larry Fitzgerald.

In the end the St. Louis Rams lost their 14th straight home game, their 8th straight to the Arizona Cardinals, 15th straight in the NFC West, and 43rd of their last 49.

By Stlvinnie - http://www.stlouisramfan.com/