(Dec. 8, 2003) -- The St. Louis Rams are a premier team in the National Football League and many people are expecting them to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. But to get to the "big game," they must get home-field advantage in the playoffs.
Not many people believe they can get to the Super Bowl if they have to play outdoors at Philadelphia in a playoff game -- right now they are slightly behind the Eagles for home field and they can't afford to slip once in the next four games. With a 3-3 road record heading into this game, there are some questions about the Rams' ability to get this done. But the test begins tonight when they have to go outside in the cold and play the Cleveland Browns.
Forget the Browns' record for a moment and consider the football-crazed fans of Cleveland. The entire city might be frustrated with its 4-8 team, but you will never know it from the way they will act when the Rams take the field. Cleveland fans are very passionate and I noticed that when I last saw them in a Monday night game eight years ago. The "Dawg Pound" will be rocking tonight and head coach Butch Davis will get a Super Bowl effort from his team.
Both of these teams have had quarterback issues this season. And both head coaches sent their high-priced starter to the bench in favor of the guy they thought moved the team better. During the season, so-called experts have questioned the Rams' decision to bench QB Kurt Warner for Marc Bulger and Cleveland's decision to play Kelly Holcomb over Tim Couch. You can debate the quarterback selection all you want, but one thing you can't debate are the abilities that both Davis and Rams coach Mike Martz possess in making these tough decisions.
When the Rams have the ball, sit up and take notice because the fifth-ranked offense will be facing the seventh-ranked defense. Martz is an offensive coach and Davis comes from a defensive background, so it stands to reason that the Rams offense vs. the Browns defense will be the featured matchup. Bulger is 15-3 as the Rams starter and he thrives in St. Louis' offensive scheme -- Bulger has generated five fourth-quarter comebacks this season.
It's important to remember the Rams average just 22 points per game on the road, as compared to 36 points per game at home. These mighty Rams narrowly beat the Bears and Cardinals on the road in their last two trips. Things could be a little better, however, with running back Marshall Faulk back to 100 percent -- he has registered three straight 100-yard games. Things have changed most dramatically for Faulk in the passing game. Last year he caught 80 passes after 12 games and this year he has only 25 receptions.
Another area of concern for the Rams is the fact Bulger has thrown six interceptions in the past two games. But the Rams also make up for their mistakes by outscoring their opponents. The road, however, hasn't always provided them the extra chances to score.
One thing for sure in this game is that wide receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce will get the ball. Right now they have to be considered the best tandem in the NFL with 156 receptions for 2,294 yards and 13 touchdowns. If they hit their game average, we're talking about 13 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown. The stage is Monday night in front of a national audience, so they could surpass their game average!
The Browns were considered a stingy pass defense until last week when the Seahawks got after them with 328 yards in the air and three touchdowns. This was all the Rams coaches and players needed to see to consider throwing more than their average 37 passes per game against them. The Browns have only sacked opposing quarterbacks 23 times this year in 376 pass attempts. So if Davis doesn't get his guys after Bulger often and quickly, this game will be over sooner rather than later.
When the Browns have the ball it's hard to get excited. The coaches benched Holcomb last week, but had to put him back in the game when Couch got hurt. The league has suspended top RB William Green and Cleveland released its leading WR Kevin Johnson a few weeks ago. The end result of these personnel issues is the Browns have only scored 13 points in the last two games, and none of them were offensive touchdowns! On top of that, they have six fumbles in the past two weeks. Any performance close to that and halftime will be the end of the game.
The Rams are best known for their offense, but the defense also plays a decent brand of football. Defensive end Leonard Little leads a pass rush that has 31 sacks, has created 36 turnovers and has good speed to pursue the ball.
Finally, I do believe the Browns will play hard -- colder weather might even work more in their favor. But in the end, the Rams' desire to gain home-field advantage and score points will be too much for the Browns to handle. I would not be surprised if the Rams win by at least a touchdown, and maybe even more. This St. Louis team has been to the red zone more than any team in the NFL (53) -- the Browns have only been there 34 times. The truth is the Browns are not as good as the Rams in 2003.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6904125
Not many people believe they can get to the Super Bowl if they have to play outdoors at Philadelphia in a playoff game -- right now they are slightly behind the Eagles for home field and they can't afford to slip once in the next four games. With a 3-3 road record heading into this game, there are some questions about the Rams' ability to get this done. But the test begins tonight when they have to go outside in the cold and play the Cleveland Browns.
Forget the Browns' record for a moment and consider the football-crazed fans of Cleveland. The entire city might be frustrated with its 4-8 team, but you will never know it from the way they will act when the Rams take the field. Cleveland fans are very passionate and I noticed that when I last saw them in a Monday night game eight years ago. The "Dawg Pound" will be rocking tonight and head coach Butch Davis will get a Super Bowl effort from his team.
Both of these teams have had quarterback issues this season. And both head coaches sent their high-priced starter to the bench in favor of the guy they thought moved the team better. During the season, so-called experts have questioned the Rams' decision to bench QB Kurt Warner for Marc Bulger and Cleveland's decision to play Kelly Holcomb over Tim Couch. You can debate the quarterback selection all you want, but one thing you can't debate are the abilities that both Davis and Rams coach Mike Martz possess in making these tough decisions.
When the Rams have the ball, sit up and take notice because the fifth-ranked offense will be facing the seventh-ranked defense. Martz is an offensive coach and Davis comes from a defensive background, so it stands to reason that the Rams offense vs. the Browns defense will be the featured matchup. Bulger is 15-3 as the Rams starter and he thrives in St. Louis' offensive scheme -- Bulger has generated five fourth-quarter comebacks this season.
It's important to remember the Rams average just 22 points per game on the road, as compared to 36 points per game at home. These mighty Rams narrowly beat the Bears and Cardinals on the road in their last two trips. Things could be a little better, however, with running back Marshall Faulk back to 100 percent -- he has registered three straight 100-yard games. Things have changed most dramatically for Faulk in the passing game. Last year he caught 80 passes after 12 games and this year he has only 25 receptions.
Another area of concern for the Rams is the fact Bulger has thrown six interceptions in the past two games. But the Rams also make up for their mistakes by outscoring their opponents. The road, however, hasn't always provided them the extra chances to score.
One thing for sure in this game is that wide receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce will get the ball. Right now they have to be considered the best tandem in the NFL with 156 receptions for 2,294 yards and 13 touchdowns. If they hit their game average, we're talking about 13 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown. The stage is Monday night in front of a national audience, so they could surpass their game average!
The Browns were considered a stingy pass defense until last week when the Seahawks got after them with 328 yards in the air and three touchdowns. This was all the Rams coaches and players needed to see to consider throwing more than their average 37 passes per game against them. The Browns have only sacked opposing quarterbacks 23 times this year in 376 pass attempts. So if Davis doesn't get his guys after Bulger often and quickly, this game will be over sooner rather than later.
When the Browns have the ball it's hard to get excited. The coaches benched Holcomb last week, but had to put him back in the game when Couch got hurt. The league has suspended top RB William Green and Cleveland released its leading WR Kevin Johnson a few weeks ago. The end result of these personnel issues is the Browns have only scored 13 points in the last two games, and none of them were offensive touchdowns! On top of that, they have six fumbles in the past two weeks. Any performance close to that and halftime will be the end of the game.
The Rams are best known for their offense, but the defense also plays a decent brand of football. Defensive end Leonard Little leads a pass rush that has 31 sacks, has created 36 turnovers and has good speed to pursue the ball.
Finally, I do believe the Browns will play hard -- colder weather might even work more in their favor. But in the end, the Rams' desire to gain home-field advantage and score points will be too much for the Browns to handle. I would not be surprised if the Rams win by at least a touchdown, and maybe even more. This St. Louis team has been to the red zone more than any team in the NFL (53) -- the Browns have only been there 34 times. The truth is the Browns are not as good as the Rams in 2003.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6904125
