Can the Rams pull off their third post-bye week surprise in a row?
by Ryan Van Bibber on Nov 14, 2009 7:00 AM CST
in 2009 St. Louis Rams regular season
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PrintThe St. Louis Rams are 7-3 coming off a bye week since their '99 Super Bowl championship season. What does that mean for this week as Spagnuolo's team, rested, healed and hot on the heels of a one-game winning streak take on one of the league's two remaining undefeated teams?
Looking at the post-bye results of that time frame, you have to throw out the results of those "Greatest Show" days; that was a muuuuuuch different team.
The two post-bye results that are the most interesting are actually those from the last two seasons, some of the worst in Rams history in terms of overall results.
Last year, the bye week brought the axe for head coach Scott Linehan, and the Rams, under interm Jim Haslett, came out of the bye to beat what was at the time a strong Washington team...in Washington. How much of that was due to the coaching change? Another interesting parallel from last season is that the offense, short of a few key plays, didn't do much to contribute to the win. The defense stood tall and an Atogwe fumble return for a TD helped get the points needed for the upset.
The season before, 2007, the Rams beat a hot Saints team after the bye week after losing the first eight games of the season. That was a much different Saints defense though. Another factor in that game was a 27-for-33, 302 yard, 2 TD effort from Marc Bulger and a 22 carry, 76 yard, 1 TD game from Steven Jackson. If the Rams have any hope of pulling off a similar surprise, they'll need another Herculean effort from Steven Jackson and a competent day from Marc Bulger and his receivers. One of those things is far more likely than the other.
The Saints have the kind of offense that can make come from behind victories easy, since they can score at will. Their defense is significantly improved too. Then again, you never know, as edpjr suggested, this has the makings of a classic "trap game."
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It'd be a shock, mainly to Saints fans
If the Rams can upset, I think Saints fans would be a lot more shocked than Rams fans. We know out team isn’t very good but we know they play the game for a reason and upsets happen.
Let me give you a couple of quotes from a feature story at Canal Street Chronicles so you can see exactly where their heads are at:
“For the Saints the game plan is simple: Don’t party too hard the night before.”
Really? That’s the Saints game plan? (This isn’t a trap game though)
“Pure and simple, there is almost no way the Saints can lose this game.”
Of course, only one way is needed.
“pretty much any play the Saints call on offense could work.”
Sure could. Of course, any play of ours could work too.
So when they come on over here telling us how aware the Saints are, and how this couldn’t possibly be a trap game, keep in mind the players are only human and they may have their heads in the clouds too. It’s happened before.
There you have your bulletin board material, Rams faithful….
Wow
It seems like everyone we play just looks at the paper stats.
I mean, overall stats are nice and they can be used to find weaknesses, but just because we are normally ranked low doesn’t mean the Rams can’t do anything.
I believe in 2010
hey ryan
are we doing picks this week?
jd is legend for Cardinals' closer 2010!!
by stlcardinalsfang on Nov 14, 2009 5:03 PM CST reply actions
All in fun
but i was surprised at some of the things i have read.But in our defense we have been waiting a long time for a year like this.
Lets have a good game and hope no one gets hurt
Stink and the crew at ESPN
are saying this will be a huge blowout and The Saints will finally be looked at as the elite team in the NFC, and the team to beat.
Geesh, they feel they need to “blow out” the Rams for people to think that? Rams must be an elite team already.
ESPN sucks.
IMHO win or lose this week and I don’t think it changes much for them… they ARE the team to beat in the NFC, but losses happen.. unless you’re the 72 Phins (had to put that there in case Mercury Morris pops in.. he’s a PIA)
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
Good points about bad writing
You wonder how they could possibly think beating a 1 win team would mean anything at all, let alone lead to “finally” getting some recognition. Sounds almost like an over-hyped Saints homer wrote that, not someone who is actually getting paid to come up with intelligent articles.
The Saints will get more recognition...
…if and when they beat the Pats and Cowboys. I give them credit for 8-0, but their schedule has just not been that tough this year. So beat the aforementioned teams, and then the Cards and/or Vikes in the playoffs and whoop the AFC Colts, Steelers, Bengals, SD, Denver, etc. in the SB and you’ll get the respect you deserve.
Rams
Yea; you might be able to pull it off. NOT!!!! See us in the superbowl as you all see it on the tellie. WHODAT!!!!
Oh Man, I want to be in that number; when the SAINTS go marching in. (To Miami) WHODAT
lol
jd is legend for Cardinals' closer 2010!!
by stlcardinalsfang on Nov 15, 2009 1:52 AM CST up reply actions
Come on Rams ...You can do it !!!!!
The Rams might be the Wolf in Rams clothing this sunday. Would love to see an upset. Hey look what Stanford did to USC . 55-21 ??!! I know I Know im really wishful thinkin big time !! But, it would make me very proud ( Long Time LA / STL.Rams fan from N.J. ) and the home town STL. fans proud to win at home in the Dome. GO RAMS !!! Be like the team in the movie WaterBoy.You Can Freakin Do It !!!!!!!!
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