The Rams outclassed the 49ers by making big plays at crucial parts of this football game on both sides of the football.  Sam Bradford was sharp yesterday as he completed 28 of 37 passes for 292 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 INTs.  He did lose a fumble though so he wasn’t perfect.  Stephen Jackson led the way on the ground for the Rams in this game with 48 yards rushing on 24 carries (2.0 ypc) with a TD run and he also caught 3 passes for 19 yards (6.3 avg).  WRs Danario Alexander (6 rec, 99 yards), Brandon Gibson (3 rec, 69 yards), Danny Amendola (8 rec, 53 yards) and Laurent Robinson (3 rec, 25 yards, TD) led the way in the passing game for the Rams yesterday as Bradford was spreading the ball around.  The Rams finished up with 60 yards rushing on 28 carries (2.1 ypc) and they also completed 28 of 37 passes for 275 yards as they had possession of the ball for 33:08.

The defense gave up some yards but they also made some big plays.  DE James Hall (8 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks), LB James Laurinaitis (7 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 QB hit) and DT Fred Robbins (3 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed and 2 QB hits) led the way for the Rams on D in this game.  Safety O.J. Atogwe also pitched in with a interception in this game.  The 49ers finished up with 85 yards rushing on 21 carries (4.0 ypc) and they also completed 28 of 37 passes for 275 yards in this game.  The Rams are now 7-8 on the season and this sets up a winner take all (the NFC West Title) next Sunday Night at Qwest Field against the Seahawks.

If the Rams win out the last two weeks they will win the NFC West.  That will be easier said than done as the Niners beat the Rams 23-20 earlier this year in San Francisco.  The Rams have played solid ball in the Edward Jones Dome this year where they are 4-3.  The Niners are only 1-6 on the road this season but they can also win the NFC West title with two wins and some help.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Rams have the ball:  The Rams would be smart to put the ball in Sam Bradford’s hands and let him wing it around the field.  But in reality they are going to likely be balanced in this game.  Stephen Jackson will have to deal with LBs Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes and the rest of a solid front seven for the Niners which is only giving up 3.5 yards per carry.  The 49ers don’t exactly have a strong pass rush so Sam Bradford should have time to throw the ball.  The Niners are allowing 230.1 yards passing per game so there will be plays to be made in the passing game.  Look for Bradford to spread the ball around to a lot of receivers so the Niners won’t be able to key on anyone.

When the 49ers have the ball:  The Rams should go all out to stop Brian Westbrook and Anthony Dixon in this game and force QB Troy Smith to try to beat them with his arm.  The Rams’ safeties better be ready for the challenge as Smith likes to throw a lot to TEs Vernon Davis & Delanie Walker.  Smith might also take some deep shots down the field to WRs Josh Morgan and Michael Crabtree  if he has time to throw the ball.  So the Rams will have to get after him with the pass rush.

PREDICTION:  RAMS 23, 49ERS 20

The Rams have placed 24-year old fullback Brit Miller on Injured Reserve ending his season due to a torn ACL.  Miller played in 9 games for the Rams and he didn’t touch the ball.  But, he did make 9 tackles on special teams and that is where he is going to be missed the most.  The Rams should be able to get by o.k. without Miller the rest of the season.

The Rams were up 6-0 after the first quarter and then the roof caved in on them.  Sam Bradford was not good in this game as he completed 21 of 43 passes for 181 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 INTs.  Steven Jackson did his part for the Rams as he carried the ball 19 times for 67 yards (3.5 ypc) with a TD run and he also caught 5 passes for 37 yards (7.4 avg).  Danny Amendola (7 grabs, 60 yards) and TE Daniel Fells (4 rec, 47 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Rams last Sunday.  The Rams finished up with 69 yards rushing on 21 carries (3.3 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 29 passes for 155 yards.

LB James Laurinaitis (11 tackles, 1 pass defensed), CB Ronald Bartell (8 tackles, tackle for a loss), safety Craig Dahl (8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss) and CB Kevin Dockery (2 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception) led the way for the Rams on D in this game.  The Chiefs finished up with 210 yards rushing on 42 carries (5.0 ypc) and they also completed 15 of 29 passes for 173 yards.  The Rams are now 6-8 on the season but they are still tied with the Seahawks atop of the NFC West.

The Rams did a good job last April in the NFL Draft and 23-year old CB Jerome Murphy is putting together a solid rookie season.  Murphy was taken in the 3rd round (#65 overall) out of South Florida last April.  He has played in 11 games for the Rams so far this year and he has 27 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 3 passes defensed, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.  Murphy has the look of a starter in the near future as he has made his share of big plays for the Rams’ D so far this year.

The Rams and Chiefs are both coming off disappointing losses but they are still in first place in their divisions.  That makes this a HUGE game for both teams.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Rams have the ball:  The Rams will probably come out running the ball with Steven Jackson against a Chiefs’ D that is allowing 109.9 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.  If that doesn’t work, then rookie QB Sam Bradford will take to the air.  Bradford doesn’t have a clear cut favorite receiver which makes it hard for teams to defend the Rams’ passing game.

When the Chiefs have the ball:  The Rams need to stop Jamaal Charles, plain and simple.  It won’t be easy though as Charles has rushed for 1,177 yards so far this year and he’s averaging 6.1 yards per carry.  If the Rams can slow down Charles a little bit then they can blitz the heck out of the Chiefs’ QB no matter who it is.  The Chiefs are hoping to have Matt Cassel back under center and they will have little chance of beating the Rams if he can’t go.

PREDICTION:  RAMS 21, CHIEFS 20

The Rams made a lot of big mistakes in this game and it cost them dearly on the scoreboard.  Sam Bradford looked like the rookie that he is yesterday.  He completed 18 of 32 passes for 231 yards with 0 TD passes and 2 interceptions (one was returned 96 yards for a TD by Malcolm Jenkins).  Steven Jackson led the way on the ground for the Rams in this game with 96 yards rushing on 16 carries (6.0 ypc) and he also caught 4 passes for 38 yards (9.5 avg).  Keith Totson pitched in with 5 carries for 22 yards (4.4 ypc) and he also caught 1 pass for 23 yards.  WRs Brandon Gibson (4 rec for 67 yards and 1 carry for 13 yards) and Laurent Robinson (2 rec, 61 yards) led the way for the Rams in the passing game yesterday.  The Rams finished up with 136 yards rushing on 24 carries (5.7 ypc) and they also completed 18 of 32 passes for 191 yards.

Safety Craig Dahl (9 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception), CB Bradley Fletcher (9 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception), LB Chris Chamberlain (8 tackles) and LB James Laurinaitis (8 tackles and 1 QB hit) led the way for the Rams’ D yesterday.  Safety Darian Stewart also pitched in with 2 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit and 1 fumble recovery.  The Saints finished up with 132 yards rushing on 29 carries (4.6 ypc) and they also completed 25 of 40 passes for 213 yards.  The Rams are now 6-7 but they still are tied atop of the NFC West with the Seahawks.

The Rams have won two games in a row (both on the road) as they are now tied for first place in the NFC West with the Seahawks making this a huge game for them.  The Saints are on a roll since losing to the Browns in Cleveland as they have won 5 games in a row.  They also need this game as they are 1 game behind the Falcons in the NFC South.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Rams have the ball:  The Rams are going to try to run the ball and throw short passes in an attempt to control the ball and the clock.  The Saints are giving up 107.8 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry so Steven Jackson should be able to find some running room.  The Saints also don’t have much of a pass rush (23 sacks) nor do they have big time playmakers (7 interceptions) in the secondary.  Sam Bradford should be able to make some plays down the field in this game.

When the Saints have the ball:  If the Rams can’t get a pass rush going this Sunday they are going to be in some trouble because Drew Brees has been on fire as of late.  The Rams are giving up 229.5 yards passing per game and they just don’t match up too well with the Saints’ receivers as Brees likes to move the ball around and keep a lot of WRs and TEs involved in the passing game.  The Rams will also have to deal with rookie RB Chris Ivory who has also been hot lately.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 28, RAMS 20

The Rams are now 6-6 on the season which has them tied for first place in the NFC West just one year after being 1-15.  What is the biggest reason for the turnaround?  23-year old rookie QB Sam Bradford!  In his last 7 games, Bradford has completed 153 of 239 passes (64%) for 1,494 yards with 11 TD passes and 2 INTs.  He has also carried the ball 20 times for 46 yards (2.3 ypc) in those games.  The Rams are 4-3 in their last seven games and they easily could have won two of those games that they lost as they lost by a combined 4 points to the Buccaneers & 49ers on the road.  Bradford has now played in 12 games for the Rams this year and he has completed 268 of 442 passes (60.6%) for 2,653 yards with 17 TD passes and 10 INTs (81.0 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 23 times for 56 yards (2.4 ypc) so far this year.  The scary thing for the NFC West is that Bradford doesn’t even have any impact receivers and he’s putting up solid numbers.  He has a HUGE upside!

The Rams have lost starting outside linebacker Na’il Diggs for the rest of the season due to a torn right pectoral muscle.  Diggs played in 12 games for the Rams this year and he had 36 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.  The Rams are going to miss Diggs as they don’t have a lot of quality depth at outside linebacker.