Rams vs. 49ers Game Preview

Well this is it Rams fans, the game we have all been waiting for. The game today against the San Francisco 49ers is the biggest game for the St. Louis Rams since they were 4-4 midway through the 2005 NFL season. The St. Louis Rams are in first place in the NFC West and control their own destiny. Sam Bradford has only been in the NFL for 8 weeks and he is already the best quarterback in the NFC West. The confidence that Bradford shows has been absorbed by the rest of the Rams. The Rams are a confident bunch, playing well and coming off of the bye week about as healthy as they have been all season.

There is really not much to say about this game. This game is very important for both teams and I expect to watch them slug it out. The Rams would love to bury the 49ers and make them 2-7 and probably end their season. A win from the 49ers could possibly bring them within a game of first place so it is all or nothing for the 49ers this week.

I expect a very even game today. Both teams will play very solid hard hitting defense while on offense both teams will feature power running. The Rams are 29th in scoring while the 49ers are 30th so it will all come down to execution and mistakes. I give the 49ers a slight edge because Frank Gore can get bigger chunks of yardage than Steven Jackson. On defense everyone always thinks the 49ers are great and play like Mike Singletary but the truth is they are 19th in scoring defense and 16th in yards allowed while the Rams have been more solid in the top 10 in both categories.

So here is the elephant in the room. The St. Louis Rams have only won 1 of their previous 15 road games. To win on the road you have to be mentally tough. With Sam Bradford at the helm the Rams are more confident than ever but have still struggled on the road. It is very hard for a rookie quarterback to perform well on the road. The Rams will need Bradford to take care of the ball today while also making some plays.

I hope I am wrong but I am going pick the San Francisco 49ers to win this game. Until I actually see the Rams win on the road I just can not pick them. I think Frank Gore will find a way to get away at least once and I think Vernon Davis will make some key plays for the 49ers. With Troy Smith at QB I think the Rams will have a hard time getting to the QB. I look for the 49ers to control the ball and make one more play that the St. Louis Rams.

Prediction San Francisco 49ers 16 - St. Louis Rams 13

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

Rams vs. Buccaneers Game Preview

With the Chargers coming off a terrible 35-27 loss to the Oakland Raiders and the Rams 44-6 drubbing to the Lions, last week not even the Amazing Kreskin or the most hard core St. Louis Rams fan would have predicted that the St. Louis Rams would completely dominate the San Diego Chargers. However the St. Louis Rams did dominate and beat the Chargers 20-17 to go 3-3 on the season.

Today is Steven Jackson day in Tampa Bay! Steven Jackson needs 32 yards to pass Eric Dickerson for 1st place all time in Rams history when he reaches 7246 yards rushing. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 31st against the rush so look for Jackson earn the record early in the games against the Bucs.

With a chance to get to 4-3 on the season this is easily the biggest game for the Rams since 2006. The Rams really need a win here. The Rams only road win in 2009 was against the Detroit Lions, and that is the Rams only road win in their last 15 attempts. A win over the 3-2 Buccaneers and a home win over the currently winless Carolina Panthers would give the Rams a chance to go into the bye week at 5-3!

The Buccaneers are very similar to the St. Louis Rams. The Buccaneers are very young and are 3-2 and looking at this as a huge game for them as well. The Bucs young QB Josh Freeman continues to play well and has a 83.4 QB rating much higher than Sam Bradford who is still ranked 30th in the NFL so do not overlook the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers also have a very young and unknown wide receiving core in Mike Williams, Sammie Stroughter, Arrelious Benn and Micheal Spurlock, much like the Rams.

Sam Bradford who has given the St. Louis Rams a ton of confidence, and rookie wide receiver Danario Alexander will continue to look to make some big plays against the Buccaneers today. The Buccaneers have only four interceptions for the season. That along with the improved play from the Rams offensive line and the balance of Steven Jackson running against the 31st ranked rushing defense should buy Bradford and the Rams passing game a lot of time in the pocket. Look for the Rams to be very balanced and continue to use play action passing and roll-outs for Bradford to make some plays down field.

This is the game Rams fans have been waiting for. Sure it is the Buccaneers and not the Steelers but at this point we will take any win we can get and build off of it. I look for the Rams to play a complete and smart road game today. The Rams still rank 28th in points scored so they will try to keep the game close. The running of Steven Jackson and 3rd down conversions will be huge. I look for the clock to move fast in the first half and the Rams to try and get deep into the game with a chance to win.

Prediction - St. Louis Rams 20 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17

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