January 1, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) stiff arms St. Louis Rams cornerback Josh Gordy (38) in the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. San Francisco defeated St. Louis 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

The St. Louis Rams have an extremely tough first half of the season, with the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers back-to-back heading into the Bye week. It will definitely come at a good time, especially considering  three of the next four games will be within the division; a division that should be more wide open than mainstream NFL analysts would like everyone to think. If you didn’t get a chance to check out the predictions for Week 1 through Week 8, Ramblin’ Fan has the Rams headed into Week 9 with a 4-4 records, 2-0 in the conference…

Week 9: BYE week

Over the last 5 years, the bye has been one of the few weeks during the regular season that the Rams haven’t added a tally mark in the loss column. As previously mentioned, the bye will be coming after two hard games against the Packers and Patriots. Not so lucky, is that the Rams get the 49ers in Week 10, who will also be taking Week 9 off for their bye.

Week 10: @ San Francisco

It is always good to get some rest during the regular season, especially on an injury-prone team like the Rams. However, it is never a good thing when one of the best defenses in the NFL also has an extra week to heal and game plan against your offense. At this point in the season, the St. Louis Rams should have either built up chemistry on the offensive line or proven be another mixture-gone-wrong. The 49ers were the best team in the NFL last year in stopping the run, but were middle-of-the-field when it came to stopping the pass. It is hard to base this years game off of last season, when Bradford did not play in either game against the 49ers. The Rams got blanked in the first matchup, but put up 27 in the final game of the regular season, when the 9ers were still trying for the 2-seed in the NFC. In that game, Clemens threw for 226 and a touchdown, with Jackson running for 76 yards at 4.8 yards per carry. However, the depleted secondary had no answer for Vernon Davis who racked up 118 yards. I think this game will put a lot in perspective for the NFL and the NFC West, but the fact that the game is in San Francisco and that they have two weeks to prepare will make it an uphill battle.

Verdict: Loss, 4-5

Week 11: New York Jets

The Jets may be one of the most overrated teams in the NFL right now, which is saying a lot considering most have the team going 8-8 this season. They have no running or passing games, unless you count Tim Tebow running the ball as a passing game. The Rams were a Top 10 pass defense last year, believe it or not, which should spell trouble for the soon-to-be struggling Jets. With young, talented run-stuffers at both defensive tackle spots and an upgraded linebacking core, at least in terms of rushing defense,  the Tim Tebow show (which it will undoubtedly be at this point in the season) won’t be able to get any points on the board. Steven Jackson and Greg Zuerlein should be able to put enough on the score board to win the game, even if the Jets can shut down Bradford.

Verdict: Win, 5-5

Week 12: @ Arizona Cardinals

By now, Skelton has likely lost his job to Kevin Kolb, or been injured. Either way, this should be similar to the Week 5 matchup with the exception that it will not be on Thursday Night Football. Given Beanie Wells’ injury history, he will likely be banged up as well, which will leave the Cardinals with no one to pass or run the ball on offense. After a morale boosting game against the Jets, the Rams should have the momentum coming into this game, especially since the Cardinals will be coming off a likely road trip loss to the pass-happy Atlanta Falcons.

Verdict: Win, 6-5

Week 13: San Francisco

The scheduling gods of the NFL did not seem to by paying too much attention to the NFC West, since the Rams will be playing the 9ers for the second time in four weeks. Like previously mentioned, the Rams seem to have better luck against divisional opponents the second time around, at least in terms of performance. Being at home will help Bradford and the speed pass rushers get the quarterback, which could make for an interesting final score. The Rams are also coming off, what should be, two bunny games against the Jets and Cardinals, while the 49ers will have just got done trying to contain Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Still the San Francisco defense should make up nicely with the Rams receivers unless there is some solid progression from Quick, Givens, or Kendricks.

Verdict: Loss, 6-6

Week 14: @ Buffalo Bills

This will be the first matchup of Ryan Fitzpatrick versus his old team, the St. Louis Rams. The key to this game will be which Jackson can run their team to victory. Fred Jackson was an underrated all-star last season, leading the Bills to their surprising start in the 2011 season. The Bills, like the Rams, were pathetic against the run last season, but brought in Mario Williams and drafted Stephon Gilmore to bolster their defense. However, they did little to improve their shaky offensive line that fell apart at the end of last season, and have limited options outside of Stevie Johnson in the passing game. If the Rams can limit Fred Jackson on the ground, they should have no trouble with the pass rush or shutting down Fitzpatrick. The cold, lake front weather should also play in favor of the Rams’ run-first, short passing scheme.

Verdict: Win, 7-6

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings

Luckily the Rams won’t have to risk snow-related injury playing the the Metrodome during the winter, since the Vikings will be making the trip to St. Louis in Week 15. Adrian Peterson should just now be getting back into mid-season form coming off the torn ACL, but his lack of presence during the first half of the season will likely lead to trouble for the rest of the offense. Teams will be blitzing Christian Ponder from every direction without the fear of a screen or draw to Peterson, and he should be in “cabin fever” mode by this point in the season. The Rams will undoubtedly keep up this pressure and have no problem passing against the 26th ranked passing defense, one that the Vikings seemingly did nothing to improve during the offseason.

Verdict: Win, 8-6

Week 16: @ Tampa Bay

The Bucs were just plain bad last season, with a sub-25 offense (16th passing, 30th rushing) and defense (21st passing, 32nd rushing). If Steven Jackson has not hit the 1,000 yard mark for the season prior to this game, he will definitely cross the milestone in this contest. Tampa Bay has seemingly gave up on Blount after taking Doug Martin with their second, first-round pick, but did not do much to help Josh Freeman in the passing game, especially after cutting Kellen Winslow, who was their second leading receiver. Nor did they do anything to help their last-place ranking rush defense, unless you count S Mark Barron as a run stuffer (and I don’t). This game should bring the St. Louis Rams on the longest winning streak that any player on the Rams has ever experienced, with the exception of Steven Jackson.

Verdict: 9-6

Week 17: @ Seattle Seahawks

Quest is one of the most difficult arena for visiting teams in the NFL. The “12th man” will definitely play a part in the outcome of the game, which should be a tough challenge for the young secondary and green offensive line. Costly dropped passes and offsides penalties cost Bradford his first playoff appearance just two seasons ago in this same arena, at this same point in the season. Could this be Bradford’s revenge?

Verdict: Loss, 9-7

A 9-7 season could potentially put the Rams in the running for the division title, depending on how the 9ers, Cards, and Seahawks play this season. Even if it doesn’t lead to a playoff birth, Rams Nation would be overjoyed to end the said with 9 wins, especially after winning only 15 games over the past 5 seasons. This is definitely a realistic outcome for the Rams if they can stay healthy and progress as a team, primarily on the offensive side of the ball. Looking forward to seeing if these predictions can pan out!

November 27, 2011; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams strong safety Darian Stewart (20) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) in the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

Like every team in the NFL, the St. Louis Rams are hoping that this is their year. Well maybe not the year they will win a Super Bowl, but at least the year that they can pull themselves out of mediocrity and backing into the playoff hunt. As much as we all like the extra coverage during April for the NFL Draft, I think is it safe to say that the Rams would much rather swap that coverage for some air time in late January. Last year the St. Louis Rams played a monster of a schedule, playing  8 games against playoff teams, including the Super Bowl winning New York Giants, and not including the opener against the fully healthy, “Dream Team” Philadelphia Eagles. This year we should see a markedly easier schedule, which, with sustained health and continued progression among the wide receivers, could lead to a drastic turnover in term of wins and losses at the end of the season.

Week 1: @Detroit Lions

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…

Verdict: Loss, 0-1

Week 2: Washington Redskins

This is potentially the biggest game for the Rams, because a win not only counts towards our season, but every Redskins loss knocks their 2013 draft spot higher and higher.The Redskins offensive line looked real shaky during the preseason, with RGIII taking some big shots against the Bears and the Colts. If Long and Quinn can be disruptive in the backfield, than this is definitely a winnable game for the Rams.

Verdict: Win, 1-1

Week 3: @Chicago Bears

Like Baltimore, it seems as though the Bears defense never gets any older. However, the Bears were one of the worst teams in the NFL against the pass last season, and with questions surrounding Brian Urlacher’s knee, there do seem to be some signs of aging. The Bears went all out this offseason, ensuring that Jay Cutler would have more targets than Devin Hester to target. Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall will arguably be as tough of a matchup for the secondary as Titus Young and Calvin Johnson during week one. Depending on how fast the secondary can grow as a unit, this could very well be a winnable game against a questionable defense. However, Lovie Smith is still one of the greatest defensive minds in the NFL, and will likely enhance the performance of whoever he puts on the field.

Verdict: Loss, 1-2

Week 4: Seattle Seahawks

I absolutely cannot wait for this matchup against Russell Wilson and the new-look Seattle wide receiving core. Seattle has received a ton of coverage this offseason because of the quarterback “battle” between Flynn and Wilson and the drafting antics of Pete Carroll. Wilson has looked spectacular in the preseason, but until recently had been splitting a majority of the first team reps with Tarvaris Jackson and Matt Flynn. His progression will be key if the Seahawks plan on turning their 22nd ranked passing offense around. Seattle will be coming off back to back games against the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, both of which are yearly leaders in pass rushing. Look for Wilson to be rattled coming into St. Louis following the short week after the Monday night matchup with the Packers.

Verdict: Win, 2-2

Week 5: Arizona Cardinals

Last season, the Rams played a historic games against the Cardinals, becoming the first team to score 4 points in a quarter after Skelton was first sacked in the end zone and then got an intentional ground call in the end zone, resulting in two safeties. However, that game ended with a Patrick Peterson punt return for a touchdown at the start of overtime, handing the Rams their 7th loss of the season. Jackson ran all over the field for 130 yards, and Skelton never had time in the pocket to even glance towards Larry Fitzgerald. I suspect a similar result in this game, but with a different outcome on the scoreboard resulting from our vast improvement in special teams coverage.

Verdict: Win, 3-2

Week 6: @Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins of 2011 followed their 23rd ranked offensive performance with overdrafting the WR-turned-QB Ryan Tannehill. I have a strong feeling the “trial by flames” mentality of the ‘Fins is going to burn the offensive production of the team. Not only is Miami starting an inexperienced rookie quarterback, but they cut Ochocinco/Johnson and let Marshall hop ship to Chicago. That means Tannehill and Reggie Bush are the only thing stopping the St. Louis Rams from doubling up in the wins column, after facing a similarly pathetic team in the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.

Verdict: Win, 4-2

Week 7: Green Bay Packers

The storyline of this game may be the first matchup for Scott Wells against his old team. Last season, Aaron Rodgers tore up the ailing secondary for 316 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, the reality is that the St. Louis Rams lost this game because of their inability to score against one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year. Bradford threw for 328 yards and Jackson ran for 96 yards, and yet the Rams failed to score a single touchdown. If the Rams can shut down the running game and “hold” Rodgers to another sub-350 yard passing game, then we may have a chance to pull off the upset. However, that is a lot of if’s and there is no telling if the new offensive personnel will be able to handle the red zone pressure any better in the coming season. The one positive is that this year the game isn’t in Green Bay and Bradford loves playing the dome.

Verdict: Loss, 4-3

Week 8: New England Patroits

The St. Louis Rams will have the luxury of knowing a majority of the receivers first hand, given the Patriots’ acquisition of Brandon Lloyd and Greg Salas. However, it is doubtful that this familiarity will help in stopping Brady and the similar dink-and-dunk passing style that New England has used so effectively in the past. New England was pathetic on defense last year, but used their first 6 picks in the 2012 draft on defensive players, including Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower. This is arguably the best all-around team that the St. Louis Rams will face up until this point in the season. They will need to play mistake-free football, plus get a couple of turnovers if they want the “W” in this game.

Verdict: Loss, 4-4

If they St. Louis Rams are sitting at .500 heading into the Bye week, they should be ecstatic. The second half of the schedule includes games against the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Bucs, and Minnesota Vikings, as well as winnable games against divisional rivals Seattle and Arizona. Tune into Ramblin’ Fan to see how we predict the Rams will finish out the 2012 season.

Green Bay
Houston
Chicago
San Diego
New York Giants
Philadelphia
Carolina
Baltimore
Arizona
New England
Denver
Dallas
Jacksonville
New Orleans

Last Weeks Results – 8 – 5

Year-To-Date Results – 39 -21