Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Rams avoid the cold weather and the outdoors after the Vikes win.
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St. Louis Rams @ Atlanta Falcons (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Chase Stuart
- Start date
Sundays Rule
Footballguy
Its can happen.......this would be a real travesty.....the SB is gonna be an unentertaining AFC blowout regardless.
M
mojorizin
Guest
OR we could thrill to a battle of the extremely overrated and see offensively challenged Philly and Atlanta struggle to a 3-3 tie.Give me Minn/StL over that boring matchup above, anyday.
cracKer
Shawn Culcasi
Last week St.Louis became the first 8-8 team to win a playoff game (followed by the Vikings). Can their defense (ranked 29th against the run) stop the Falcons top ranked rushing offense? Can the Rams get their running game on track against the Falcons tough run defense? Do they need to in order to win this game (Falcons bottom third against the pass)? Another week two matchup in which the Falcons won 34-17. Big game from Michael Vick (109 rushing yards) and the Holt/Bruce combo (17-223-1).
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
I think we are looking at a Rams Vikings NFC Championship game - in St. Louis.
St. Louis Bob
Footballguy
I would love to see an Indy/St.Louis Superbowl. Even though Indy would probably blow the Rams out. 
M
mojorizin
Guest
Gotta admit - that is the WORST matchup the Rams could possibly have.I would love to see an Indy/St.Louis Superbowl. Even though Indy would probably blow the Rams out.
their points scored & allowed.
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Rams (21st offense, 23rd defense) 21+23 = 44
Falcons (16th offense, 13th defense) 16+13 = 29
Translation: We knew the Rams were bad. But the Falcons won 11 games with smoke and mirrors.
Offensive/Defensive Efficienies:
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O:Rams 5514 yards, 287 points = 19.21
D:Rams 5353 yards, 392 points = 13.66*
O:Falcons 4992 yards, 314 points = 15.90
D:Falcons 4954 yards, 309 points = 16.03
*includes week 17
Translation: The Falcons are better on both sides of the ball. That was true against the Seahawks and the Rams still won. But to do it two weeks in a row?
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Ints-Ints Thrown
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Rams 6-20 = -14
Falcons 18-15 = +3
The Rams have the worst ratio among all playoff teams in this category as well.
I looked past the Rams woeful stats last round because they beat the Seahawks twice this year. I'm not doing that here.
Pick: Falcons
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Rams (21st offense, 23rd defense) 21+23 = 44
Falcons (16th offense, 13th defense) 16+13 = 29
Translation: We knew the Rams were bad. But the Falcons won 11 games with smoke and mirrors.
Offensive/Defensive Efficienies:
-----------
O:Rams 5514 yards, 287 points = 19.21
D:Rams 5353 yards, 392 points = 13.66*
O:Falcons 4992 yards, 314 points = 15.90
D:Falcons 4954 yards, 309 points = 16.03
*includes week 17
Translation: The Falcons are better on both sides of the ball. That was true against the Seahawks and the Rams still won. But to do it two weeks in a row?
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Ints-Ints Thrown
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Rams 6-20 = -14
Falcons 18-15 = +3
The Rams have the worst ratio among all playoff teams in this category as well.
I looked past the Rams woeful stats last round because they beat the Seahawks twice this year. I'm not doing that here.
Pick: Falcons
There have been times when the Falcons and Vick have not looked so good. The Falcons should win, but then so should have the Chargers, Seahawks and Packers... If Vick makes some mistakes the Rams have a shot. I think the Rams have a better shot at Atlanta than they would have at Philly.
Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
Vick will be breaking legs of the Lambs trying to tackle him.
rhawkins68
Footballguy
I had to Null vote this one since I would be to biased. I just couldn't stand the hype if Vick (meaning the atlanta defense+running game) wins so I hope the Rams pull off the Victory.
ComfortablyNumb
Footballguy
BGP Posted on Jan 10 2005, 05:37 PM This game has the distinction of being the only one this weekend where neither team is given much of a chance to win the super bowl.
I don't think anyone outside of Philadelphia is giving the other NFC teams much chance either.A couple of earlier posts mentioned the Rams poor run defense would be pounded by the Atlanta ground game. Perhaps they didn't see the Rams shut down the #1A back in the league last week to the tune of 15 carries for 40 yards and 0 TD's.This game could really go either way - I expect the Rams to play pretty well as underdogs against the playoff inexperienced Falcons. I'll predict Atlanta 27 - 24.
ShadowMaster
Footballguy
I think STL has enough on truf.ATL is more a product of their cushy schedule than their true team talent level. I don't like the 'wing-it' Mike Vick play style.RAMS again on the road in the upset.
Brave Sir Robin
Footballguy
Who can know if the Rams are going to turn over the ball just three times or more than that?
Jason Wood
Zoo York
I'm not a religious man, but if there's any way the Gods can make this happen, I would gladly consider constructing some kind of permanent altar in my house.
St. Louis Bob
Footballguy
I think a golden, full size, image of Martz would be appropriate.I'm not a religious man, but if there's any way the Gods can make this happen, I would gladly consider constructing some kind of permanent altar in my house.
Jason Wood
Zoo York
If the Rams pull off this upset (I don't think they will, but since we're playing What If)...the Eagles would then get the play two 8-8 dome teams on the road to Jacksonville. That's simply too good to be trueI think a golden, full size, image of Martz would be appropriate.I'm not a religious man, but if there's any way the Gods can make this happen, I would gladly consider constructing some kind of permanent altar in my house.
Iwannabeacowboybaby!
Footballguy
I voted Rams and found out again, over 50 percent of the footballguys are predicting this upset. The Rams are getting 7 points, can it really be that easy???The Detroit Lions beat Atlanta in Atlanta, from that game alone I give just about every team in the NFL a shot.
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Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Something like Atlanta'a games against KC & Tampa?
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Atlanta did beat a few good teams pretty bad:49ers by 2Cards by 3Giants by 4Atlanta was 11-5.
skol asylum
Footballguy
I hope the Eagles are looking past Minnesota as you are. :moon:If the Rams pull off this upset (I don't think they will, but since we're playing What If)...the Eagles would then get the play two 8-8 dome teams on the road to Jacksonville. That's simply too good to be trueI think a golden, full size, image of Martz would be appropriate.I'm not a religious man, but if there's any way the Gods can make this happen, I would gladly consider constructing some kind of permanent altar in my house.
Ronnie Mack
Footballguy
Its the playoffs- a new season. You can pretty much throw out the regular season- and even home field I believe- at least for this season. Who ever gets hot will win it- I have no idea who the favorite (s) are? Cant wait for the games!
Repressed Dennis
Footballguy
I give St. Louis a big chance in this one.Rams - 34 Atlanta - 31
Personally, I think we (Rams fan) would have had an easier time with Philly. I'll take an easier team to run against than an easier team to pass against any day. Besides, I'm not sure who drops more balls, the SEA receivers or the PHI receivers.Philly had better not be overlooking the Vikes as just an 8-8 team...
While your watching the media made "Vick" trounce the Rams D, also pay attention to Dunn,Duckett,Crumpler and Price. I predict a TD from 4 of the above mentioned.. and 1 Def. TD...plus 2 FG's. Falcons put up 40+ pts on the Rams, and the Sea of Red stifles the Lambs, by 20 pts.
Big Score
Footballguy
I think this will end up being a pretty good game with the FalCANs coming out on top.
Reasoning:
Health
QB's...both are as healthy as can be expected, after a full NFL season and each coming back from shoulder injuries sustained relatively late in the season.
RB's for Atlanta are fine. Both Dunn & Duckett are ready to go. Dunn early on will be used heavily to tire out the St Louis D as they'll be chasing the slippery little devil for 3 quarters. Throw in some Vick eye popping scrambles where again the St Louis D is chasing him around, further tiring out the D and then Duckett comes on in the 4th, to lay the hammer down on a dead legged St Louis D.
RB's for St Louis are not enjoying the same level of health as Atlanta's RB's, nor is their duo as good, even when healthy. Nothing against Marshall, but his days as a 1A great RB, are over. He just doesn't have the instant jets in his legs that he used to. I think the knees have just taken too much of a beating over the years. Still a threat in the short passing game, but the days when opponents feared seeing Marshall lined up in the backfield, are over. Steven Jackson looks to be a bona fide stud RB to me. Unfortunately he's dealing with his own knee injury (partially torn meniscus I think) and now to add a little salt to his knee injury, his ribs are pretty sore. That's just not good for a RB. The opposing D is not stupid, on every Steven Jackson run, they'll be angling for rib shots when tackling him.
WR's for Atlanta are healthy....but largely irrelevant. Crump at the TE position is the key to Atlanta's passing game and he's fine. I also think we'll see a fair amount of Dunn in the passing game. More so than we've seen during most of the regular season.
WR's for St Louis...Bruce is dinged with a hip pointer / groin injury. He'll probably start, but one good tackle to the turf could knock him out of the game and even if he plays the entire game, I'd expect that hip pointer / groin to become really uncomfortable by the 4th quarter. Looker, MacDonald & Curtis are all decent WR's, but lets face it, they ain't no Ike Bruce.
D's Atlanta's D is healthy. I really like their #1 draft pick this year, CB DeAngelo Hall. I've been watching the kid since he came back from his pre season cracked shoulder blade and he's been getting better each and every game. Very fluid and he ain't no Deion Sanders when making a tackle. Kevin Mathis is an unsung and unheralded CB for the FalCANs. Solid is the best word to describe Mathis. I love their Safety Byron Scott. That was one of Dan Reeves better picks IMO. They played this guy at CB some, but with the drafting of Hall moved him full time to Safety, his natural position and he has excelled. Getting substantial experience at the CB position has certainly served him well in how he plays Safety. No need to go into Atlanta's Line Backers or their D Line. They're good and they're healthy. Actually I might just mention rookie LB Demorrio Williams. Don't be surprised if you hear his name called tonight, after a sack or a pick. This kid is a player!
Ram's D is not so fortunate health wise. Archuletta has been playing with a back injury which has gotten increasingly difficult to loosen up, as the season has progressed. I remember watching a Rams game early in the season and saying to myself that Archuletta looked like he was going to have one heck of a year. Then I watched a Rams game in like week 11 or 12 and it was like an impostor had taken Archuletta's spot. He does not look like the same player at all. Their other Safety, the ageless Aeneas Williams, is battling his own set of nicks & bruises, which is effecting his level of play . On their D Line back up DE Tyoka Jackson did not practice on Friday and is not expected to play this weekend. DT Jimmy Kennedy after being held out of Wednesday & Thursday practices, finally practiced on Friday and while he is expected to play this weekend despite his foot injury, how much of a push he'll be able to generate and thus how effective he'll actually be, is unknown, especially as the game progresses.
I like Atlanta's return game with Allen Rossum. I think the FalCANs will have good field position all game long, due to their good return game.
I didn't think much at all of the Rams return game in the hands of Arlen Harris to begin with. Now it gets worse, as Arlen Harris practiced on Friday but is not expected to play this weekend. So who will be returning kicks for the Rams? Does it even matter, as their return game sucks anyway?
Anyway, putting all of the above together, while I expect the game to be a good one, I see the FalCANs as the team coming out on top, when it's all said and done.
Ok fellas have at it!
Go ahead and tear up / poke holes in my arguments as to why the FalCANs will win.
Reasoning:
Health
QB's...both are as healthy as can be expected, after a full NFL season and each coming back from shoulder injuries sustained relatively late in the season.
RB's for Atlanta are fine. Both Dunn & Duckett are ready to go. Dunn early on will be used heavily to tire out the St Louis D as they'll be chasing the slippery little devil for 3 quarters. Throw in some Vick eye popping scrambles where again the St Louis D is chasing him around, further tiring out the D and then Duckett comes on in the 4th, to lay the hammer down on a dead legged St Louis D.
RB's for St Louis are not enjoying the same level of health as Atlanta's RB's, nor is their duo as good, even when healthy. Nothing against Marshall, but his days as a 1A great RB, are over. He just doesn't have the instant jets in his legs that he used to. I think the knees have just taken too much of a beating over the years. Still a threat in the short passing game, but the days when opponents feared seeing Marshall lined up in the backfield, are over. Steven Jackson looks to be a bona fide stud RB to me. Unfortunately he's dealing with his own knee injury (partially torn meniscus I think) and now to add a little salt to his knee injury, his ribs are pretty sore. That's just not good for a RB. The opposing D is not stupid, on every Steven Jackson run, they'll be angling for rib shots when tackling him.
WR's for Atlanta are healthy....but largely irrelevant. Crump at the TE position is the key to Atlanta's passing game and he's fine. I also think we'll see a fair amount of Dunn in the passing game. More so than we've seen during most of the regular season.
WR's for St Louis...Bruce is dinged with a hip pointer / groin injury. He'll probably start, but one good tackle to the turf could knock him out of the game and even if he plays the entire game, I'd expect that hip pointer / groin to become really uncomfortable by the 4th quarter. Looker, MacDonald & Curtis are all decent WR's, but lets face it, they ain't no Ike Bruce.
D's Atlanta's D is healthy. I really like their #1 draft pick this year, CB DeAngelo Hall. I've been watching the kid since he came back from his pre season cracked shoulder blade and he's been getting better each and every game. Very fluid and he ain't no Deion Sanders when making a tackle. Kevin Mathis is an unsung and unheralded CB for the FalCANs. Solid is the best word to describe Mathis. I love their Safety Byron Scott. That was one of Dan Reeves better picks IMO. They played this guy at CB some, but with the drafting of Hall moved him full time to Safety, his natural position and he has excelled. Getting substantial experience at the CB position has certainly served him well in how he plays Safety. No need to go into Atlanta's Line Backers or their D Line. They're good and they're healthy. Actually I might just mention rookie LB Demorrio Williams. Don't be surprised if you hear his name called tonight, after a sack or a pick. This kid is a player!
Ram's D is not so fortunate health wise. Archuletta has been playing with a back injury which has gotten increasingly difficult to loosen up, as the season has progressed. I remember watching a Rams game early in the season and saying to myself that Archuletta looked like he was going to have one heck of a year. Then I watched a Rams game in like week 11 or 12 and it was like an impostor had taken Archuletta's spot. He does not look like the same player at all. Their other Safety, the ageless Aeneas Williams, is battling his own set of nicks & bruises, which is effecting his level of play . On their D Line back up DE Tyoka Jackson did not practice on Friday and is not expected to play this weekend. DT Jimmy Kennedy after being held out of Wednesday & Thursday practices, finally practiced on Friday and while he is expected to play this weekend despite his foot injury, how much of a push he'll be able to generate and thus how effective he'll actually be, is unknown, especially as the game progresses.
I like Atlanta's return game with Allen Rossum. I think the FalCANs will have good field position all game long, due to their good return game.
I didn't think much at all of the Rams return game in the hands of Arlen Harris to begin with. Now it gets worse, as Arlen Harris practiced on Friday but is not expected to play this weekend. So who will be returning kicks for the Rams? Does it even matter, as their return game sucks anyway?
Anyway, putting all of the above together, while I expect the game to be a good one, I see the FalCANs as the team coming out on top, when it's all said and done.
Ok fellas have at it!
Go ahead and tear up / poke holes in my arguments as to why the FalCANs will win.
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