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Kickoff returns may not matter against Carolina:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rams could go Austin or Pead at KR without Cunningham but may not matter. CAR K Gano has 22 touch backs on 24 kickoffs. Highest % in NFL.</p>— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) <a href="https://twitter.com/nwagoner/statuses/391276907083231232">October 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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A note to the Rams defense against the Panthers:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Great stat by <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF">@PFF</a>. Cam has 114.6 passer rating when throwing to LaFell, 113.8 to Ginn, and only 70.9 to Smitty. <a href="https://t.co/5rsf0TUqND">https://t.co/5rsf0TUqND</a></p>— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. (@salmingoCSR) <a href="https://twitter.com/salmingoCSR/statuses/391313836034121729">October 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Rams official injury report:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Official injury report: Finnegan is doubtful. Stacy, C. Long, Bates, Stewart are probable. RB Cunningham (ankle) is out.</p>— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) <a href="https://twitter.com/nwagoner/statuses/391271962527293440">October 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
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A great Sam Bradford stat:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Unbelievable Stat: Sam Bradford has played 19 consecutive games throwing one or fewer INTs! That is the longest active streak in the NFL</p>— Nathan Kearns (@nkearns12) <a href="https://twitter.com/nkearns12/statuses/391767412020092928">October 20, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Quote of the Week [from NESN]:
"The Biggest Underdog with a Reasonable Chance to Win is the: St. Louis Rams
The Carolina Panthers certainly played well against the Minnesota Vikings this past week, but should Carolina be favored by six points on the NFL odds against any team other than the Jacksonville Jaguars? Their only two wins have come against the Giants (0-6) and Vikings (1-4). St. Louis was impressive in its own right against the Houston Texans. The Rams have a very good shot to win in Charlotte."
Three Things: Rams-Panthers: ESPN NFC West
Turnovers, Red Zone efficiency, and run defense highlight Nick Wagoner's facets of the game to watch for in the Rams' match up against Carolina.
Bargains and Busts: Ranking Teams' Offensive Lines: Over The Cap
The Rams' offensive line will play a key role in Sunday's game against the Panthers. Over The Cap takes a look at which teams get the most bang for their buck from their offensive lines.
St. Louis Rams Do's and Don'ts: Carolina: Ramblin' Fan
Running the football, containing Cam Newton, and winning the turnover battle highlight the "do's". DON'T give up stupid penalties speaks volumes all by itself.
Rams Face Challenge From Panthers' Defense: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
As Jeff Fisher noted about the Panthers defense:
"Yes, (Carolina’s defense) is very talented. That Texans’ defense was talented but this is a different design, different scheme. A lot more pressure, I think, pass-rush pressure (on) early downs. They’re very good at collapsing the pocket."
Three To Focus On: Pro Football Focus
PFF takes a look at a trio of keys to Sunday's game: interior line play, the non-Tavon Austin options for the Rams, and the Carolina wide receivers.
It's Way Too Early To Declare Tavon Austin A Bust: Rams 101
Good grief...He's a rookie wide receiver. Nothing more to be said here. Let's move on.
A memorable look back at the waning minutes of the Rams' Super Bowl victory:
The Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV (via mrlewis314)
Coach Venturi prescribes the formula for stopping Cam Newton on Sunday:
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St. Louis Rams finding new success in the "red zone": Howard Balzer - KSDK
The Rams have been very successful in the red zone this season, and is one of the reasons to look optimistically at the offense's future:
"While 14 teams have been to the red zone more than the Rams, only four have scored more touchdowns."
Decision looms for Rams at right tackle: ESPN NFC West
Who will get the start for the Rams at right tackle this Sunday? Rodger Saffold is ready to go after missing time with an injury. Joe Barksdale has done some admirable work in his absence.
NFL Week 7 Preview: Rams at Panthers: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jeff Gordon previews the match up between the Rams and Panthers.
"The Rams will need to play much, much better run defense. Their linebackers must do a better job of reading plays, shedding blocks and making tackles. The secondary needs to get a whole lot better in support."
Dubs' Pigskin Picks & Preview - Week 7: Turf Show Times
In my weekly feature, the Rams - Panthers match up is previewed. My prediction for the game? Rams 17 - Panthers 13. The feature includes links to other predictions for the Rams game, and my predictions for all games on tap this weekend.
Staff Predicts The Winner Of Rams At Panthers: Turf Show Times - Brandon Bate
The writing staff at TST offers their analysis and predictions for Sunday's game.
Look Ahead: Cam Newton Being Used In More Creative Ways: Greg Cosell - Shutdown Corner
"Last week the Panthers played a very efficient offensive game with excellent run/pass balance, and great diversity and multiplicity of concepts. A big part of that offensive plan was taking advantage of quarterback Cam Newton's strengths as a runner."
Advanced stats indicate huge potential for Zac Stacy: Cover 32
Stacy has more potential than perhaps first thought, especially when looking at his "elusive rating".
St. Louis vs. Carolina: Match ups to watch: Rant Sports NFL
Key match ups: James Laurinaitis vs. DeAngelo Williams - Steve Smith vs. Janoris Jenkins - Thomas Davis vs. Jared Cook.
Double Coverage: Rams @ Panthers: ESPN West
ESPN's Nick Wagoner and David Newton break down Sundays' game and offer their predictions.
Rams-Panthers Match Up Breakdown: ESPN West
Nick Wagoner takes an in-depth look at key match ups for Sunday's game:
Zac Stacy vs. Luke Kuechly - Janoris Jenkins vs. Steve Smith - Joe Barksdale/Jake Long vs. Greg Hardy/Charles Johnson.
Team Red Zone Scoring Percentage
|
Rank
|
Team
|
2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
82.14%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
71.43%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
66.67%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
65.22%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
64.29%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
64.29%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
63.64%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
61.90%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
61.54%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
60.00%
|
|
Cam Newton and Sam Bradford Have Comparable Stats, Other Than One Big Number: Charlotte Observer
The Observer notes the comparable stats of Cam Newton and Sam Bradford. The one big difference? Their paychecks.
Keys To Victory vs. The Panthers: St. Louis Rams Official Website
Steve Savard and D'Marco Farr break down the keys to a Rams victory on Sunday versus the Carolina Panthers.
The 25 Biggest Sports Cliches: Sports Pickle
Go Rams! Just remember: On Any Given Sunday! oops...
Rams vs. Panthers Preview: ESPN
ESPN's Mike Sando presents his "Inside Edge" on the the Rams- Panthers game.
Remembering Bum Phillips: S.I. Audibles
Much sadness on the passing of Bum Phillips, a defensive innovator with a wonderfully colorful personality.
Rams at Panthers Preview - Video: CBS Sports
Pete Prisco and Pat Kirwan preview the Rams-Panthers match up.
2014 NFL Mock Draft: Walter Football
This three round mock would make me very happy if it transpired: OT Jake Matthews and S Hasean Clinton-Dix in the first round - CB Darqueze Dennard in the second round - and QB Derek Carr in the third round.
The NFL Forecast Calls For Defenses To Turn Tougher: New York Times
Do NFL defenses become tougher as the weather becomes worse later in the season?
Seven For Sunday: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas outlines 7 things to watch for in the Rams - Panthers game.
11 Artists That Should Be Featured On the NFL Half Time Show: The Roosevelts
Little doubt in my mind that it should be LED ZEPPELIN.
From "STATS":
St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers
- The Rams and Panthers last played in October 2010, Sam Bradford's rookie season, with St. Louis coming out on top, 20-10.
- The Rams won at Houston, 38-13, last week, giving them their first winning streak of the season. The 38 points were the most the Rams have scored since a 41-21 victory over the Vikings on December 31, 2006.
- The Panthers won at Minnesota, 35-10, last Sunday. The 25-point margin of victory tied the third largest ever by Carolina in a road game.
- Sunday's game will feature two of the six quarterbacks ever who won the Heisman Trophy and were selected number one overall in the draft, Sam Bradford and Cam Newton. The others are Angelo Bertelli, Jim Plunkett, Vinny Testaverde and Carson Palmer.
- Zac Stacy is the first St. Louis rookie with 75-plus rushing yards in consecutive games since Steven Jackson in 2004. The last Rams rookie with a streak of at least three games was Jerome Bettis in 1993.
- Cam Newton completed 76.9 percent of his passes (20-for-26) with three touchdowns and no interceptions last Sunday. That helped translate into a career-best 143.4 passer rating for Newton.
Tony Softli ponders what the Rams will do with Cortland Finnegan:
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An all-star tribute to my favorite Beatle...George Harrison:
Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others -- "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (via Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum)
Have a great Sunday!! Here's to a Rams victory!!