Rams Bye Week Comes at Opportune Time

by VTramsFan on Nov 5, 2010 9:45 AM CDT in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 31: Steven Jackson helped the Rams win, a few days out of surgery on his ring finger, despite only having use of one hand. He's one player who is going to enjoy the bye week. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

With the Randy Moss saga finally over, the Rams can now get back to enjoying their bye week, and continue to get some key players rested and healthy. While one can't argue that the bye week anytime after week 3 would have been welcome, a bye THIS week seems to be almost perfect.

Next week they travel to San Fransisco and face the rival 49ers in a game that is as important to this franchise as I can remember. It's also no secret that the next big obstacle the Rams must face is winning on the road.

I challenge you to think of a time in recent years, when the Rams entered a bye week before a game of such magnitude. I honestly can't think of one. I mean, seriously... getting rested and healthy before we face one of our biggest rivals, on the road (where we need to prove we can win)? It doesn't get much better than next week.

Can the Rams beat the 49ers and knock two monkey's off their back?

I realize Seattle and Arizona have owned this division as of late, but San Francisco has had all of the media attention and have been highly favored to win the NFC West. I also believe (aside from QB) that the Niners are a better team than their record indicates, particularly on defense. As a matter of fact, most media outlets still predict the 49ers to win the division, or at the very least, remain in the hunt until late December.

Make no mistake about it, the 49ers should not be taken lightly.

As far as injuries, I don't think I need to list all of the players who were happy to see the word "bye" on the calender, but one guy is certainly Steven Jackson who last week, helped us win a few days after surgery on his ring finger, allowing him to have use of only one hand.

Seriously, if you don't think Steven Jackson is the leader of this team, you need to re-evaluate things. When you look up "leader" or "toughness" in the dictionary, you'll see a picture of Steven Jackson. Although, it's hard to deny Danny Amendola might be also included in the "toughness" listing.

With all that said, one thing is for certain; next weeks game at the 49ers is as big a game as I can remember. I realize that we aren't a super bowl team, but boy, a win next week would really elevate this franchise to a new level.

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Comments

I couldn't agree more............

This is such a huge game. I really hope that Illinois Mike is really included in the game plan and has a big game for us. Especially while DX is still on the mend. The defense will have to terrorize Troy Smith the same way they did against Hasslecrack and the Seahags…..Go Rams!!!

by jroge7 on Nov 5, 2010 10:12 AM CDT reply actions

It will be a tough tough tough game.

The 9ers know this is a make or break game for them as well. A division rival at home and they are two games back…they lose to the Rams next week they would have 7 losses and basically have to win evey single game after that including beating the Rams at home for division champs or possible wild card.

If Seattle loses to the Giants and the Rams are seen as on top of the division. Well you know that isnt going to sit well with them either and I would expect them to come out high energy.

But if the Rams can weather the initial storm and hold it together, I think the 49ers will give up.

I think the Rams are the better football team and should win this game.

by leadhead on Nov 5, 2010 10:13 AM CDT reply actions

We already played Troy Smith once this year

At home, against Baltimore. Troy played the entire game, and we handled him pretty well. He was 18-of-38 for 237 yards, 2 INTS and a 45.6 passer rating. Hopefully we learned how to defense him.

by RamBuck on Nov 5, 2010 10:37 AM CDT reply actions

i love the rams

But i hate the bye week

by markg1127 on Nov 5, 2010 10:54 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

JL = Leader too

The defense runs through JL. As JL fares, so does our defense.

by 81 Witness on Nov 5, 2010 10:59 AM CDT reply actions

Defensive leader, AGREE

He’s definitely not our team leader

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi

by VTramsFan on Nov 5, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Good Point RamBuck....

I forgot about TS playing for Baltimore, but I have a feeling it’s going to be much harder against the whiners in a real game with such magnitude….don’t get me wrong, I still think we can win. This game can’t get here soon enough!! Hopefully this will be the game that puts the Rams on the board of respect, and 1st place in the NFC west!!!

by jroge7 on Nov 5, 2010 11:05 AM CDT reply actions

You're right

This will be a real, meainingful game against division opponents. I expect it to be a clawfest!

by RamBuck on Nov 5, 2010 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

What a great win this could be..

beating the 9ers on their turf and sticking the final nail in the coffin so they can finally look to next year :-)

When was the last time after 8 games we could honestly say we hold our destiny in our own hands, win out (not likely but possible) and regardless how the other teams do, we win the division (and maybe NFC homefield advantage with some additional help).

by RBramfan on Nov 5, 2010 11:51 AM CDT reply actions

Also I cant stand losing to the 49ers!

When we lost to the cardinals, I was pissed but when the Rams lose to the 9ers, I think my lifespan shortens by several minutes!

I despise them on a cellular level LOL!

by leadhead on Nov 5, 2010 12:04 PM CDT reply actions

hawks dont stand a chance, even with all of minnys problems they should win with AP alone

and while were getting healthy, billy D needs to work his magic and pluck some more gold off practice squads preferably in the form of a receiver

by Buck Nasty87 on Nov 5, 2010 12:17 PM CDT reply actions

!

Oh how GLORIOUS it would be if the Rams beat the Niners next Sunday. I live 20 miles from SF, so most of my friends are Niners fans. For too long they have ridiculed my Rams.

But, I won’t get ahead of myself. There’s upsets every Sunday. I’d be much more confident if this was a home game. Like everyone here has said, this is going to be a very crucial game for both teams.

I don’t think we can win by running the ball only. I think there’ll have to be a good mixture of run and pass. Bradford needs to stretch his passes a little. His longest pass I think was to DX, but I’m not sure.

On a side note, I think so far, the loss to the Buccs was the hardest to swallow for me. WE HAD THAT GAME!

by Rams07 on Nov 5, 2010 12:20 PM CDT reply actions

Oh definitely...

I think our coaching staff learned a very important lesson on that day. You notice in the subsequent Panthers game, the rams didnt let off the throttle.

by leadhead on Nov 5, 2010 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Making a prediction

I’m not a pessimist, but I really don’t think DX can make it in the NFL. I love the guy, he’s a damn good athlete. However, those nagging knee injuries will stop him from making it. I really think he’ll get injured one more time after he comes back, and that would be the one that’ll make him miss the rest of the season.

WAHH, MAKE IT THE 14TH ALREADY!!

by Rams07 on Nov 5, 2010 12:41 PM CDT reply actions