Some facts/stats/thoughts about the Rams
The Rams have managed to play only four teams with winning records this season and their record is 1-3. The only one they beat was the Chargers (in St. Louis) in week 6 20-17.
The Rams are 2-1 verse the AFC West losing to only to Oakland, in Oakland, 14-16. They also beat the Broncos at Denver 36-33.
Overall, Rams are much better team at home then on the the Road. They are 4-2 in St. Louis and 2-5 on the road. They are 2-3 in the 2nd half of the season after starting 4-4.
Rookie QB Sam Bradford has done really well for a rookie at taking care of the ball, allowing only a 2.5% INT percentage. But, the Rams offense is hardly dynamic, averaging a 26th ranked 18.8 points per game. Defensively, the Rams give up a respectable 20.6 points per game to rank 15th.
Critically, the Rams are a completely different team when scoring less than 20 points. When the Rams score less than 20 points, they are 1-6. However, when they score 20 or more points they are 5-1.
To me, I think that Crennel will be able to dial up a good plan to confuse the Rams young QB. This is sort of his specialty.
The key will be for the Chiefs to be able to take advantage to the Rams 21st ranked pass defense to put points on the board, particularly taking advantage of the astroturf to get the ball in the hands of Dextor McLuster and Jamal Charles in space. Taking advantage of the Rams pourous secondary will hinge on giving Matt Cassel (assuming he is healthy) time since the Rams 4-3 defense features three pass rushers with 5 or more sacks. Only five teams have put up 23 or more points on the Rams in 2010 (the Rams are 1-4 in these games). These teams did so by throwing for an average of 280.8 yards, yet only one of these teams had a 100-yard rusher.
Frankly, I am not as optimistic about our ability to run the ball against the Rams 4-3 scheme. A lot of our rushing success has come off the edge and on delays. We use zone blocking schemes where our blockers hold and turn defenders to create lanes for slashing. As a result, we can be overpowered by larger defenders and beat if teams crowd the box (See Raiders game and Denver game 1 and Chargers game 2, obviously). After our performance against San Diego, I suspect the Rams will load the box and dare us to throw the ball. I think we will need to have some success to win, I don't think we can come out and just expect to pound the ball to victory without having success in the air.
I think after our loss to the Chargers we come out focused and ready to play. My prediction (with Matt Cassel healthy) is Chiefs 28, Rams 16.
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Originally Posted by Three7s
. Donkey fans only hope to see Tebow play. I hope he does.
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