Oddsmakers do not think much of the St. Louis Rams' chances in their season opener against the Detroit Lions. They appear to be more generous when it comes to a Week 2 match up, the home opener, against Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins.
According to the same oddsmakers at Covers.com, the only ones crazy enough apparently to forecast the 2012 regular season games, the Rams versus Redskins is too close to call, though Washington does get a slight edge.
I suspect those odds might change in the months ahead. At any rate, that game ought to be an interesting one with enough subplots to tantalize the hackiest of sports reporting. Let's review:
- Griffin is Washington's franchise quarterback because they traded oodles of draft picks to the Rams to get him.
- The Rams are rebuilding their franchise because of that trade.
- Mike Shanahan and Jeff Fisher are friends and also two of a handful of NFL coaches that make $7 million per season.
- Fisher should have his team turned around first.
- Jim Haslett!! Coaching hubris!
- Sam Braford, Robert Griffin III; Robert Griffin III, Sam Bradford.
- The Reskins signed free agent receiver Pierre Garcon before he could get to Rams Park for a visit.
- Ditto Josh Morgan.
- Adam Carriker, the Rams 1st-round pick in 2007, was a bust in St. Louis, but had the best season of his career last year in DC ... after switching to a five-technique DE.
- London Fletcher is still one of the best linebackers in the game.
- Both teams have played each other every season since 2008, two wins apiece in that time.
Am I missing any?