Say it ain't so: Rams NOT to make playoffs?

[Marc]

Who would have thought the Rams may not make the playoffs after dominating and going undefeated for so long? Not me. Unless they slide spots and move up, they won't even make the wild card. And even worse news: they have a very tough schedule left with opponents the likes of the Vikings, Bucs, and Saints. Trouble in St. Louey?

[BW]

Warner was incredibly rusty and everyone that started him in Fantasy Football, is really hurtin, 4 INT's, earlier in this year it was 4 TD's is this a different Kurt? Did this injury, no matter how little, effect the way he plays the game? Or is this all just rust? I'll say rust for now, but next week is the true test.
BW

[Tom Baker]

...after dismantling Minnesota like that. Clearly St. Louis has too much talent to be counted out of any game. Yes, they've hand injuries and their defense has been substandard, but with the top two receivers in the NFC (Bruce and Holt) plus arguably the most dangerous rushing / receiving back in the league (Faulk), Hakim, and the reigning league MVP and Super Bowl MVP back, everyone in football sleeps a little less easier. The Rams are a VERY dangerous team.

[Marc]

Tom, you're 100% right. At the time of my post, the Rams looked to be in serious trouble, but after their recent victory, they look to be in good shape. It's kind of been an up-and-down season for the champs.

[lmanchur.]

...didn't I see that the Rams, as of Monday, have CLINCHED a playoff spot? -- or was I just imagining things?

[Tom Baker]

I don't think they've clinched yet, but they certainly seem to be back at the right time. If they hold together, I fully expect them to make the playoffs, and to last at least until the NFC Championship game.

[Wedge231]

Yeah, it's strange to see them not doing so well in the standings. Same with my team, the Jets. They were doing good earlier but now seem to be falling aprart.

[Spike]

So how about the Rams and their 9 lives! In the playoffs! Unbelievable. I'm not really a fan, but I wanted to see them get in there because I just love their high octane offense.

I turned on the T.V. late today so I missed most of their game with the Saints. But last I saw, Marshall Faulk had over 200 yards rushing and over 7 yards a carry. Wow. I wonder where he'll finish in the M.V.P. voting? He kind of reminds me of Roger Craig (of the 80's 49ers) and Thurman Thomas (of the early 1990's when he was in his prime) because of his pass catching with the great running ability.

And with Kurt Warner going out with the mild concussion, it's like Faulk willed them to get to the playoffs with his big time runs on the Rams' very last drive to seal the victory and the Saints (one of the best defenses in the league) knew they were going to run especially with Trent Green in there at QB and Faulk still torched them. Man, where would St. Louis be without Faulk.

[Marc]

Spike, it's good to see those Rams back in the playoffs, I'm not a fan either, BUT I was pulling for the Saints - if they won, my Packers would be in! Still, though, those Packers finished off strong...

[Spike]

So what do you guys think about the Rams' chances of getting back to the Super Bowl. Believe it or not, I think it's pretty good.

No offense intended to Giants' fans, but I think the New York Giants have to be the weakest number "1" seed out of a Conference going into the playoffs that I've seen in a long time. I could see them losing their first playoff game (after the bye week). That wouldn't surprise me.

The Rams' defense has shown they can either be one of 2 things, mediocre or just flat-out awful. Once again like I said back on the old ezboard, the key is the Defense (and also Kurt Warner's status for next week's game. Last I heard he incurred a "mild" concussion today). If the defense is awful, they're one and done next week at the Superdome. If they're defense is at least mediocre, I really think they're back in the Super Bowl again.

And since they're the 6th seed, a win at New Orleans would take them back to the Meadowlands where they've beaten the Giants earlier this year even when the Rams had Trent Green at Quarterback.

Anyways, that should be a great game next week with the Saints. Back against New Orleans where I don't think home field matters much between the 2 seeing as they split both games this regular season with the visiting team winning each one and both the Rams and the Saints being both dome teams.

[iFroggy]

I think the Rams' chances are pretty good. The Vikes and the Giants will give them heck though! I would love to see the Giants though.

[Tom Baker]

The Rams have proven that they cannot be counted out, regardless of record, home field advantage, and who they have to play. With Faulk in the backfield, they are a threat to win any game. Their chances go up with Warner at QB, but as long as Faulk is in, nothing says they can't go all the way to Tampa. Faulk is the league's MVP.

[Marc]

The best thing for the Rams is they need to keep their offense ON the field and their defense OFF. 'Nough said.

[Tom Baker]

It doesn't matter if they ran, walked, or crawled into the playoffs, they're there now, and that means the third-highest scoring offense in NFL history and the leading regular season TD scorer in league history are still around. Here's a bet that New Orleans' franchise record in playoff games goes to 0-5 next week.

Love the way Faulk stepped up yesterday when Warner went out. The season was on the line and the man took the game over. That's the stuff of MVPs, IMHO.

Baltimore vs. St. Louis--that would be an interesting SBowl. The top defense in history vs. one of the best offenses.

[Marc]

The Rams and Saints play again next weekend in the wild card playoffs. Who do you guys think will win?

[iFroggy]

I would go with the Rams.

[Tom Baker]

While it's always tough to beat the same team again, I'd say the Rams, although I think a lot depends on Kurt Warner.

Trent Green was solid in relief (6 of 10, no picks), but Warner has the experience and confidence. Then again, with Faulk in the game, nothing's impossible.

The Saints have had a great season, considering where they were under Ditka last season, and how unhappy Ricky Williams was. But to go from having never won a playoff game to dethroning the Super Bowl champs without your starting QB and a significant portion of your rushing game, with all the weapons St. Louis has at its disposal...whew, I just don't see it.