Saints Should be Cautious of "Nothing to Lose" Rams

by VTramsFan on Dec 9, 2010 9:00 AM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford march their troops into New Orleans Sunday with not a whole lot to lose, but a WHOLE lot to gain. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

When the gun sounded Sunday in Arizona, the Rams found themselves 6-6 riding a two game road winning streak, and remained in first place of the NFC West by means of a head to head advantage tie breaker against the Seahawks.

With four games remaining, and a head to head matchup versus the Seahawks in week 17 looming, it would seem that as little as 1 more victory in the next three weeks (plus a head to head win in week 17) could give the Rams one heck of a shot at the division crown.

What if that one victory came against the toughest opponent on the schedule? If the Rams win this weekend, they could almost wrap up the division before the Rams travel to Seattle, providing the Rams beat the 49ers or Chiefs, and Seattle loses 2 (which could happen.. they play @SF, ATL, @Tampa in their next three games).

And with the 49ers still mathematically in the division hunt, expect them to come out and play hard this weekend at home. A loss @SF would pit the Seahawks in a tough spot, and potentially going 0-3 in those 3 games.

What does all this mean? To keep it simple, the Rams have absolutely nothing to lose this week, period. When you play a team with nothing to lose, it can be a dangerous situation. The Rams know they essentially have a mulligan this week provided Seattle struggles versus Tampa and Atlanta (even with a win versus SF).

BUT let's make one thing clear. This year's Rams don't have "mulligan" in their vocabulary. Not on Spagnuolo's watch.

Let's also make another thing clear. The Rams are pretty much outmatched this week... on paper. But there is one area the Rams are not outmatched. Their heart. 110% effort, and pride. That's a potent combo, and one that has the Rams sitting where they are right now.

That and major improvements at the QB position (Hail Sam!) and on defense.

The Rams head to New Orleans for the "finale" of a tiresome three game road trip, at 2-0 knowing there is no shame in a loss, yet massive glory with a win, and with the heart of a champion.

Should the Saints have there eyes wide open? You bet they should.

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Comments

I got a question for you VT

Where are our weekly Breakdown??

by MathB on Dec 9, 2010 9:07 AM CST reply actions

haha I knew I'd get this question

Had some personal things come up since the thanksgiving holiday… PLUS holiday stuff, sucking up my time. I’m going to try to get one in before the game ;-)

Pooch punts should be illegal inside an opponents 38 yard line.

by VTramsFan on Dec 9, 2010 9:11 AM CST up reply actions

this could be the seconding

of the Aints era

by RAISEtheDEAD on Dec 9, 2010 9:16 AM CST up reply actions

+9999

Bradford to Onobun!

by Infemous on Dec 9, 2010 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

Math does not work VT..

If Rams win this week and one other, record is 8-7, Seattle goes 1-2 their record is 7-8. If they beat us in Seattle, both teams are 8-8 and Seattle wins division with division records (our best would be 3-3, their worst would be 4-2). Also must continue to keep an eye on SF “sneaking” in as in your scenario, if SF wins out (possible in your scenario as we beat NO & KC and lose to SF & SEA {heaven forbid}, SEA loses to SF & ATL) and SF finshes 8-8 they will be 5-1 in division play and take all ties ( I don’t like this scenario at all).

Now as I have stated in previous comments, as long we can win the final three games, this game means “nearly” nothing at all in the standings for us (except maybe seedings). Also, with a win this weekend, we would still need to beat KC & SF (not or) and have Seattle lose two of their next 3 to make the Seattle game a “rest the starters” game.

We have a couple of things not on paper that could help us win this weekend. NO has BAL, ATL & TB coming up following our game so this “smells” of a “trap game”. Secondly, I read somewhere that indicated we own the Superdome as we have won the last 4 meetings there and 6 of last 7. Just looking for any edge ;-)

by RBramfan on Dec 9, 2010 9:48 AM CST reply actions

PS-I too miss your weekly breakdowns

by RBramfan on Dec 9, 2010 9:49 AM CST up reply actions

Seahawks need to go 0-3

We need 2-1

VERY possible still… man I purchased a case of TUMS for the final 4 games.

I’ll try to get a breakdown in

Pooch punts should be illegal inside an opponents 38 yard line.

by VTramsFan on Dec 9, 2010 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

Not to worry too much, as you said, this week is a "mulligan".

Even if Seahawks go 0-3 and we go 2-1, SF still needs to lose 1 more to make us safe for Week 17. We cannot afford a tie with SF either!!!!

Now if one of our 2 wins is against SF, all is solved.

Also, SF only has SD (besides division games) on their schedule to play and not sure what SD team will show up for them and they get to finish with ARZ :-(

I will be looking for your breakdown :-)

by RBramfan on Dec 9, 2010 10:27 AM CST up reply actions