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A 4-3 record in November. A two-game win streak. No touchdowns surrendered since October 11.
How many power rankings are going to be able to not acknowledge the Rams' post-bye success?
| Average ranking (# of rankings) | 9.78 (9) |
| Average change from last week | +2.63 |
| Highest ranking (source) | 7th (CBS - Kirwan) |
| Lowest ranking (source) | 14th (PFF) |
| Biggest positive change (source) | +5 (PFF) |
| Biggest negative change (source) | 0 (NFL.com) |
The Vikings are balanced with a strong defense, a good run game and an emerging star in Stefon Diggs in the pass game. They're quietly positioning themselves well to challenge the Packers.
The same could be said for the Rams, who won again to improve to 4-3, putting them alone in second place in the NFC West. They've got a defense that loves to fly around, one of the most dominant players in the NFL in Aaron Donald and an emerging superstar at running back. They're dangerous.
Todd Gurley is the first rookie in NFL history to rush for 125 yards in four straight games, according to Elias. The Rams face another pretty good running back in Week 9: Adrian Peterson.
The Rams move to 4-3 and right into wild-card contention with a ho-hum win over the once-formidable 49ers. While a victory over this divisional rival doesn't carry the same juice as it did in the past, now that San Francisco has gone through what is often termed the Kaepernick Regression, St. Louis is 3-0 in the NFC West, and that's the logline from Sunday.
On another note, as for those colleagues who said I was premature when suggesting Todd Gurley could catch Amari Cooper in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race ... hmm.
CBS Sports (Prisco): 10th (12th)
With Todd Gurley and that defense, they will be a tough team to beat every Sunday. Can they make the playoffs?
CBS Sports (Kirwan): 7th (11th)
The Rams are 4-3 overall, 3-0 in the NFC West, and firmly in the mix for the NFC wild card. Nick Foles still needs to play better.
Yahoo! Sports: 8th (11th)
Todd Gurley has changed this team dramatically. His talent has covered up a lot of flaws on offense. Not many other backs can change a game instantly with a long run like he can.
Pro Football Talk: 8th (11th)
The Cardinals should be more worried about St. Louis than Seattle.
FOX Sports: 9th (12th)
Todd Gurley has received a full workload in just four games this season and has already racked up the fifth-most rushing yards in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus: 14th (19th)
The Rams have three of the top five defensive tackles in terms of run stop percentage in Weeks 5 through 8. Michael Brockers is third at 13.2 percent, Aaron Donald fourth at 13.0 percent, and Nick Fairley fifth at 12.9 percent.