Nov. 25, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: St. Louis Rams quarterback (8) Sam Bradford against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In the early portion of the season, this young Rams team often pondered over how to win games late. It was as if the Rams were in a boxing match exchanging blows toe-to-toe, only to absorb a nasty right hook that ultimately led the judge to select the opponent in a unanimous decision.

Well, as of late, St. Louis has found themselves with a 3-1 record in nail-bitters.

But you’re walking on thin ice playing that way in the NFL.

Slow starts have plagued the Rams in their last four games dating back to the second game against Arizona. The stagnant approach of the offense finally caught up to the Rams as they quickly fell into 30-7 hole against Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings.

In these last four games, St. Louis has been outscored 60 to 21 in the first half, while exceeding in the second half, outscoring their opponents 63 to 18. Yardage wise, the Rams have been outgained 732 to 515 in the first half while racking 862 yards to their opponents 585 yards in the second half.

And to mention the Rams have committed four turnovers in the first half compared to zero on the second half.

This Jeckell and Hyde attitude of the Rams has to stop, but how?

It easy to say that the Rams should pick up the pace and become more uptempo with Bradford, but then cries of running the ball with Steven Jackson and Daryl Richardson would spread like wildfires. Bradford’s three touchdowns and a career high of 377 yards pass were misleading to say the least.

After jumping out to a comfortable 30-7 lead, the Vikings were able to pound away with Peterson and play zone a little bit more. Minnesota still dialed up a few blitzes as the Rams made a futile comeback attempt.

Is it the play calling?

Most teams in the NFL have a 10 to 15 play script consisting of plays the teams like to run and successful plays on third downs. Speaking of third downs, in the Rams last four tightrope games, they are 16 percent on third-down in the first half compared to 37.5 percent in the second half.

Brian Schottenheimer and the offensive staff needs find more creative ways to move the ball in the air, as well as the ground. Ideally, Chris Givens should benefit from a healthy Danny Amendola as he handles all the short work opening up the deep airways. With only two games remaining, St. Louis needs to deploy second round wide receiver Brian Quick after his spectacular catch in the endzone.

Igniting the offense early is essential for the Rams in their final two games as they look to finish the season on a high note.   Both Tampa Bay and Seattle will feature power running games with Doug Martin and Marshawn Lynch respectively. The Rams may use the same tactic of playing ball-control offense to keep the two backs from gathering steam, but look how that game plan worked against Peterson.

Luckily, Martin and Lynch are no Peterson.

November 13, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Houston Texans running back Derrick Ward (32) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

This NFL offseason will be remembered for a couple different things, like the Drew Brees contract and guys like Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III starting their careers, but nothing will stand out more than the numerous arrests from drinking and driving. In case you stopped keeping track, here is the list of guys in the league that we know of who have been arrested for driving while impaired: Robert Quinn, Nick Fairley, Kenny Britt, Donald Washington, Marshawn Lynch, Aaron Berry, David Diehl, Justin Blackmon, Jerome Felton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Brandon Meriweather, Knowshon Moreno and Aldon Smith. Former NFL running back Derrick Ward has seen enough.

Ward took to Twitter on Saturday to impart some wisdom to the guys who apparently need all they can get. Here is a list of tweets, and while it’s long, it’s all pretty interesting and certainly valid.

“Alright NFL players!!! Its absolutely E-N-O-U-G-H!!! Drinking and Driving? How dumb can u be? Its absolutely stupid and your making the good guys that actually do right in the NFL look bad. How easy is it to call a cab to get a ride home? So what? Leave your car get it in the am!? Stop being so dumb! Yes that’s right dumb! I’m sitting here retired enjoyed a great career now all I want to do is become a fan and I see numerous arrest for DWI in the past several weeks? How many has it been this week 4? Absolutely ridiculous your not only putting yourself in danger but your putting other innocent people in danger that don’t deserve your stupidity. Open your eyes and do the right thing. I know what its like to get go out get drunk and debate on weather to drive home or not. Call a taxi! So what if u spend some money to take one or U get a ticket on your car in the am when u go bac 2 get it At least u won’t have to pay bail and then lawyer fees and then miss game checks from being suspended for a few games. Damn this really has me furious and its so avoidable. Tighten up youngsters of the NFL because guess what it doesn’t mean National Football League it really means Not For Long league. There’s no excuse to drive drunk! NONE! If all else fails WALK! NFL players are world class athletes Walking should be nothing!”

Dec 12, 2011; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Is it just me, or is there a different NFL player getting arrested every day? While there have been somewhere around 30 players who have gotten in trouble with the law over the last few months, I wanted to focus on one of the more recent offenders: Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. Lynch was pulled over at about 4 a.m. on Saturday in California after he was spotted swerving through traffic and almost hitting two different cars.

I might be picking on Lynch a little by focusing on his issue, but as a Rams fan this could have way more of an impact on our season than any of the others. Lynch already served a three-game suspension back in 2009, so you have to think that Roger Goodell is going to lay the smack down on him this time as well. I think most people assume that Seattle is going to be better than the Rams in 2012 (whether they are correct or not is another story), but if Lynch is forced to miss some significant time then the Hawks could be in trouble.

I’ve always kind of liked Lynch, and I really wanted the Rams to go after him to back up SJ39 when he was on the market a few years ago. However, Seattle grabbed him instead and he has had a pretty nice run since he got the Pacific Northwest. Considering the questions they have at quarterback right now, they can’t afford to be without Lynch early in the season.

I don’t know what’s going to happen here, but I would imagine that Goodell isn’t pleased with so many of his players getting in trouble. If he chooses to make an example out of some of these guys, Lynch could find himself is even hotter water as a repeat offender. We’ll have to wait and see, but any decision could have a pretty serious impact on the 2012 NFC West.