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.

December 2, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Kendall Langford (98) and outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (58) tackle San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller (49) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis defeated San Francisco 16-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the season the Rams have been preaching the motto “one game at a time.”

And they should.

In last week’s victory over the reigning NFC West champs, St. Louis accomplished what most teams couldn’t dream of doing. Not only did the Rams defeat one of the best teams in the NFL, but their defense bottled up Frank Gore and the 49ers second-ranked rushing offense. Gore was held to 58 yards rushing on 25 carries, resulting in a 2.5 yard average. Colin Kaepernick did gain 84 yards on nine carries, but a chunk of his yardage came late in the fourth quarter on a 50-yard scamper down the sideline.

If the Rams wish to stay afloat in the playoff standings, the Rams tenacious defense must continue to make reservations in their opponents backfield. St. Louis defense is off to a great start with their effort against the bruising 49ers rushing attack, but this week they face a two-headed monster in Buffalo.

Fresh off a 232 yard outing against the hapless Jaguars, the Rams have their hands full containing the speedster C.J. Spiller and the versatile Fred Jackson.

Spiller and Jackson has led Buffalo the NFL’s fourth-ranked rushing offense. Spiller currently ranks 10th with 907 yards with only 137 attempts resulting in a staggering 6.6 yards per carry. In seasons’ past, Jackson has been the feature back, but concussions and knee injuries has limited him to 423 yards on 106 carries.

With enough to worry about this coming Sunday in the frigid temperatures at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Rams’ defense must remain stout as they face more formidable rushing attacks down the stretch.

Next week the Rams face arguably the best back in the NFL in Adrian Peterson and the Vikings third-ranked rushing offense. Peterson leads the NFL in rushing with 1,446 yards; remarkable for a guy who had reconstructive knee surgery a little under a year ago. Then St. Louis travels to Tampa Bay to take on heralded rookie Doug Martin and the Buccaneers 11th ranked rushing attack. The muscle hamster is tied for third with 1,106 yards. In the season finale, the Rams look to remain undefeated in the NFC West as they face the  NFL’s second leading rusher in Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks and their seventh-ranked rushing attack. Gore was ninth with 972 yards.

Right now, none of these games matter. Buffalo is first on the agenda. Michael Brockers has to continue his massive push up the middle along with the inside rush from Kendall Langford. If the Rams defense can nullify Spiller and Jackson early, Chris Long and company can pin their ears back and rattle the one time Ram and turnover prone Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Taking away Buffalo’s one-two punch also lies in the hands of the offense. The Bills can continue to pound away at the clock if the score is tight. In the last three games, Rams’ rookie cornerback Janoris Jenkins has scored 21 points to the offense’s 25 points.

The offense is moving the ball, but they must put points on the board. With Buffalo’s 30th ranked rushing defense, this may turn into a low scoring affair if the Rams unsheathed their own double-edged sword in Steven Jackson and Daryl Richardson; undoubtedly adding more pressure on the defense.

In the coming weeks, this defense has to step up to the challenge as they cling on to their hopes of reaching the playoffs.

Nov. 25, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: St. Louis Rams quarterback (8) Sam Bradford with head coach Jeff Fisher in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

With four wins and tie, the 3-0-1 mark against the NFC West have fans deciphering on two options:

1. The organization has made a tremendous decision in hiring Jeff Fisher by the obvious improvement from last year.

OR

2. The Rams are still woefully inferior to teams outside the division. Are they not mentally prepared to face teams outside the west? Or does a good old-fashion rivalry game gets the motivative juices running?

A case can be made for either of these options, but I’m looking at it with an optimistic eye.

In the NFL, wins are hard to come by. I’m sure you won’t hear the Rams complaining about winning games no matter who the opponent.

Although, it is hard to ignore that two out of four of the Rams’ wins have come against an Arizona team with a battered offensive line and a team that is still looking for Kurt Warner’s replacement. Another win was a hard fault bout in the friendly confines of the Edward Jones Dome against Seattle with rookie quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm.

The home win against Seattle has to be pointed out because the Seahawks are day and night when it comes to playing at home and on the road (5-0 at home; 1-5 away). Not to mention the unforgettable tie at San Francisco.

The Rams’ upstart defense have reeked havoc upon divisional rival quarterbacks. In the Rams four games against the NFC West, they have faced Wilson, Alex Smith, Ryan Lindley , Kevin Kolb and the newest darling of the NFL, Colin Kaepernick. St. Louis forced seven interceptions and 18 sacks while yielding only one touchdown totaling in a passer rating on 62.7 percent.

Outside the division has been a different story.

Besides bottling up the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year, Redskins’ Robert Griffin III, and intercepting Lions’ Matthew Stafford three times on opening day, the Rams defense gave an abysmal effort against Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins), Tom Brady (Patriots), Mark Sanchez (Jets) and Aaron Rodgers. Although, the Rams’ defense did hold Jay Cutler (Bears) without a touchdown. That game was on the Rams’ offense.

Opposing quarterbacks outside the West have thrown 10 touchdowns and one interception.

Personally, I feel that Jeff Fisher and Les Snead are leaving their mark on this Rams’ team.  You have to win your division first, and in the NFC West you have to grind out wins with physicality, playing hard-nosed defense and having a sound rushing attack. The Jeff Fisher way.

Even though the record of 3-0-1 resembles an area code, the Rams’ have dialed in on the fortune of winning in their division. The last time the Rams had a winning record in the division was in 2004,  posting a 5-1 record. Their last playoff appearance I might add. Since then, the have gone 7-35 dating back to last year.

The record for the Rams finals opponents is 30-24-1. And of course, two of those five games are against divisional foes, the “tie-breaker” against San Fransico this week, and Seattle on the last game of the season, Dec. 30. St. Louis must take it up a notch if they wish to make a late playoff push. No more costly penalties, no more offensive inconsistency and the Rams cannot endure another five game stretch without a turnover.

As great as Steven Jackson is, Sam Bradford has to shake of the ever surrounding scrutiny, and prove why he was apart of Jeff Fisher’s intricate decision to turn around the franchise.