NFC West Standings:
As shocking as a 20 point victory against the NFC cock of walk may be, what's even more surprising is the Rams status in the NFC West. At 2-4, the Rams currently sit in second place behind the Arizona Cardinals - who sat at home during the bye week.
San Francisco and Seattle both played, and both lost, on Sunday. Currently, Seattle's only win came against the Rams in Week Three, where they put up 33% of their season total in points. Since then, they haven't put more than 17 on the board in any one game.
As horrific as things have been for the Rams, if they could have the Seattle game back, they could realistically be 3-3 heading into Week Seven.
Long story short - the NFC West is terrible. As if you didn't know that.
Opposing Head Coach (Wade Phillips): Resembling the Stay-Puffed Marshmellow Man?
Me thinks so.
A High-Level Look At The Rams Points Totals:
Historically, teams that score more points than they give up win more games. Yes yes, it's true. You heard it hear first, folks. In all honesty, looking at the overall ratio of points scored and points allowed provides an overall indication of total team strength, or weakness.
As it stands, every team in the NFC that has more points scored than points allowed has a winning record. Further, every team in the NFL that had more points scored than points allowed in 2007 finished the season with a winning record. The exception to the rule this year is the New England Patriots (89 PF, 103 PA), who currently have a 3-2 record.
Even thought the Rams are coming off their two highest point totals of the year (34 and 19), they still rank dead last in total points scored. Their defense isn't much better, which ranks 3rd to last in the NFC, and 4th to last in the entire league. Their ratio of points scored and points allowed is a whopping 0.53 - meaning the Rams give up almost twice as many points as they score.
The percentage places them 3rd to last in the league - ahead of only Detroit (.510) and Kansas City (.454).
Simply put, even though the "you're only as good as your last game" cliche is fun after a Sunday win, it's good to keep things in relative terms.
Up Next For the Rams:
New England (3-2, before MNF tonight), at New England. As previously-mentioned, New England is having a weird season - with the loss of their golden boy in Week 1. A game that looked completely out of reach before the season is completely in bounds for the Rams to pull out their first three-game winning streak since the end of 2006.
Statistic That Means Absolutely Nothing:
Terrell Owens: 0 touchdowns, 1 knuckle deep
Degenerate Hindsight:
COWBOYS (+7.0) over RAMS ---- For the second week in a row, the Rams covered. Last Monday, the early line on the game was Dallas at -12. With Romo almost certainly on the shelf, Vegas must have saw a lot of people picking the Rams, and the spread was lowered to a touchdown.
Over/Under: 44 ---- 48 total points were actually scored. Dallas came into St. Louis scoring around 30 points/game. Without Romo, they scored 14. None of they players are schmoozing Jessica Simpson, but the Rams made everyone who bet the UNDER pretty unhappy.
Season Betting Statistics:
Rams opponents covering spread, 4-2
Over/Under: 4/2
Did The Rams Defense Give Up 300 Yards Passing?
-- Negative: 234 yards (Brad Johnson)
-- Season: 1-5
Did The Rams Defense Give Up 100 Yards Rushing?
-- Right on: 100 yards (Marion Barber)
-- Season: 5-1
Did The Rams Offensive Line Allow More Than 3 Sacks?
-- Yes: 5 (3.0 from DeMarcus Ware)
-- Season: 3-3
Steven Jackson On Pace for 2500 Total Yards (Over Two Seasons):
Against Dallas, Steven Jackson ran for over 100 yards for the second time this season (Buffalo), and had 2 reception for a total of 176 all-purpose yards. At this clip over the course of 16 games, Steven Jackson would actually hit the 2500 all-purpose yard promise he made at the beginning of 2007. Alas, we're heading into Week 8....and it's 2008.
