St. Louis Rams vs. Detroit Lions: Key Personnel Analysis

Oct. 10, 2010; Detroit, MI, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

This week Nathan Kearns and I will be looking at some of the key personnel on both the St. Louis Rams and the Detroit Lions that are going to have an incredible impact on Sunday’s game between the two teams. We examined four questions regarding personnel. Here is what we came up with…

1. Most important player in this game…

Nathan Kearns (Rams):

The easy answer is Sam Bradford, but the most important player for the Rams will be center Scott Wells. He missed a majority of the preseason coming back from a knee scope, and has had minimal reps with the rest of the line, especially the ever-changing interior linemen. Ultimately, Bradford’s success will depend on how well Scott can make the appropriate line calls,and keep Suh and Fairley out of the backfield.

Honorable Mention: Craig Dahl, assuming he gets the nod at safety

Brandon Folsom (Lions):

Matthew Stafford is the most important player in this game. He needs to come out blazing early this year and get on a hot streak. I expect him to throw at least four touchdowns this week, with Calvin Johnson getting about two of those. He has the weapons around him, so it shouldn’t be hard for him to get back on track, but I’d like to see them come out hot and not flat during the first half of this game like the Lions often did last season.

2. Most surprising player of the game will be…

Nathan Kearns (Rams):

Slot receiver Danny Amendola was getting moved all around the field during the preseason, even occasionally lining up on the outside. He is easily Bradford’s favorite target, and with the depleted Lions secondary, he could easily come away with 8+ catches for 75+ yards.

Honorable Mention: Lance Kendricks

Brandon Folsom (Lions):

Veteran wide receiver Nate Burleson. He is yet to live up to his large price tag and I think this is the year that he finally puts it all together and shows consistency through production during the entire season. I expect him to have about five catches, 80-yards and a score this week.

3. Rookie to watch in this game…

Nathan Kearns (Rams):

Janoris Jenkins will likely have to match up with Calvin Johnson on a good percentage of the plays. Jenkins was touted as the best man-to-man cover corner coming out of college this year. He played well against some big name receivers like Julio Jones before getting booted from Florida, but never played against a Calvin Johnson-type player. He is definitely the rookie to watch, because the outcome of the game will likely depend on how well the St. Louis Rams can handle the Lions’ passing attack.

Honorable Mention: Chris Givens

Brandon Folsom (Lions):

Rookie cornerback Bill Bentley. He should get plenty of time early on this season because the Lions are depleted at the position. As of Wednesday, the projected starters for the game will be Chris Houston and Drayton Florence, but I expect Bentley to get the nod over Florence by time the game kicks off. However, even if Bentley does not start, expect him to play a ton if Florence struggles and if the team uses a bunch of nickle and dime packages.

4. Predicted outcome of game and why…

Nathan Kearns (Rams):

I don’t expect another 44-3 blowout like last season! I think the Lions defense will have trouble stopping Jackson out of the backfield and, consequently, have trouble handling the play action attack from Bradford. However, the interior of the Rams offensive line is pretty green in terms of the amount of time they have spent together and the secondary will likely feature two rookie cornerbacks and Craig Dahl at safety. It will likely be a shoot out and the Rams don’t quite have the machinery that Detroit has, so my prediction is, 31-13 Lions.

Brandon Folsom (Lions):

The Lions are going to have a tough time defending against the Rams passing attack, regardless of how young Bradford’s receivers are that he is throwing to. Stafford and Johnson should connect for a couple of touchdowns and the Lions should have no problem putting away the Rams for a 38-17 route.