Roundup Of Week 6 Predictions For St. Louis Rams Vs. Miami Dolphins

Sept 16 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins cheerleaders dance in the fourth quarter in a game against the Oakland Raiders at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

Unlike the last couple of week, the NFL is not showing the St. Louis Rams much love against the Miami Dolphins. More often than not, they turn to the injury to Danny Amendola as the sole determining factor in the game. While, Danny is the best offensive weapon on the team, he has only account for 50% of the catches, meaning that other people are catching the ball. Steven Jackson is reportedly “healthy” for the first time since sustaining a groin injury against the Washington Redskins in Week 2, and Brian Quick and Chris Givens are finally starting to progress on make contributions on the field. The real overlooked fact about the absence of Amendola, is the fact that the Rams are not winning games with their offense, their are winning them with defense and special teams. In fact, the offense did not not even score in the 19-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks, with four field goals and a fake field goal touchdown pass from Johnny Hekker. St. Louis just need to be average, or even below average, on offense, which they can still be without Amendola. Anyways, here is how the rest of the NFL feels about the St. Louis Rams as they travel to Sun Life Stadium on Sunday to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 6…

NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison is predicting a close game, he cites the, apparently, healthy Reggie Bush (even though he was limited at practice on Thursday) and the loss of Amendola as the major factors,

"Life A.D.A. (after Danny Amendola) starts this weekend for St. Louis, meaning Chris Givens and Brandon Gibson are tasked with doing what Bengals receivers couldn’t do enough of against these Dolphins: Get open! Steven Jackson, Daryl Richardson — whoever gets the carries in the ground game — should be vaguely familiar with the Dolphins’ front seven, because it’s been playing like someone in their division, the San Francisco 49ers. On the other side of the ball, a healthier Reggie Bush has a nice game at home, taking pressure off Ryan Tannehill. Miami gets back to .500. St. Louis Rams 16, Miami Dolphins 20"

The Miami Herald, of course, also has the Miami Dolphin slotted to overtake the visiting Rams, he is banking on the St. Louis Rams’ current 6 year drought in having a 3-game winning streak,

"Longtime Dolphins defensive stalwarts and fan favorites Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas will be inducted Sunday onto the team’s stadium Honor Roll, and I have a feeling they’re going to like what they see happening on the field. That would be a defense-oriented game won by their old team against the coach, Jeff Fisher, who turned down the Miami job in favor of St. Louis. The Rams’ best offensive weapon, Steven Jackson, won’t do much against Miami’s tough run defense, while QB Sam Bradford will be missing his top target in injured Danny Amendola. Key for Miami on offense will be the play of the line, because the Rams can do that sack dance. Rookie Ryan Tannehill will need a quick release and a big ground game from Reggie Bush. Bush announced this week that his girlfriend is expecting. So am I. I’m expecting a big afternoon from Reggie, who has legged for 436 yards in his past four home games. Rams are 0-2 on the road and catching a Dolphins team feeling very confident right now. St. Lou hasn’t had a three-game winning streak since 2006. Why start now? MIA 19-13"

The boy’s over at TurfShowTimes, may be the only ones picking the Rams over the Dolphins, and make a pretty good point in their semi-prediction,

"Come on, who do you think I’m going to pick here? The Rams defense versus a rookie quarterback with receivers that make the receivers in St. Louis look elite … you know how this one ends."

Bleacher Report has the St. Louis Rams dropping a close one to the Miami Dolphins, again, citing Amendola as a key area of concern,

"Amendola had twice as many targets as the next highest player on the Rams. The team needs to find someone that will not only help this game, but for the duration of the receiver’s collarbone injury. Brandon Gibson will get the first crack at the job, but he has not shown in his four-year career that he can be much more than a short-yardage possession receiver. An interesting player to watch is rookie Chris Givens, who has caught a 50-yard pass in each of the last two games. The offense will also need more production from tight end Lance Kendricks, especially in the red zone. The road woes continue for the Rams, mainly due to the solid defensive play from the Dolphins. Dolphins 17, Rams 13"

In an alternative method of picking games, WhatIfSports.com runs simulations on games to pop out scores and statstics for each team, each week. Here is what they came up with,

"This week the Miami Dolphins win 50.6% of the time by an average score of 20.6-19.6.Predictions Stats:Bradford: 242 yards, 1 TD 1 INT/ Tannehill: 199 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT/  Jackson: 65 yards, 0 TD / Bush: 74 yards, 0 TD / Zuerlein: 1 FG / Carpenter: 1 FG"

Of course, Ramblin’ Fan has the St. Louis Rams to win in our weekly predictions, and have had them slotted for the “upset” win since before the season began when we gave our preseason predictions for the entire season. Albeit a little harsh, this is how we thought the game would turn out before a single snap of football had been played this season,

"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."