I am looking at this from the perspective that the Rams haven't been particularly enthused about stopping the run for some time now. During the preseason I didn't put too much stock in it, although it was an undeniable and troublesome pattern. Against the Vikes it was again a clear red flag, and the fact that Tampa Bay wasn't able to run for over 200 yards I think is attributable to their offensive line. And while they've had some success on first down, they are still a team that plays the next two downs with considerably less conviction. And if we are being objective, the Rams were pretty fortunate to come away with that victory last week. Barring a remarkable Austin Pettis catch where he took a shot and was a stud to hold onto the ball, we are talking about a winless Rams team that is catching something closer to a FG.
Now if you want to make the argument that perhaps between now and then, Shaun Hill has a speedy recovery, and that, coupled with the return of their best WR in Steadman Bailey, somehow propels the Rams to victory, then I could perhaps squint to envision that scenario. But Austin Davis has shown me little to think that anyone with his arm strength can't be game planned for defensively, no matter how floundering that defense may be. And I think the game plan executed last week at Tennessee, of controlling the clock by establishing the running game, perhaps a Linehan staple going forward for this team as they attempt to keep the defense off the field, might prove very effective against a team that might well be short on clock eating drives of their own. And it's not like you don't have to respect the fact that Dez Bryant is lining up on the outside, but I'm guessing it will be Terrence Williams who ends up having the bigger game. Normally I'd take this time to say, hopefully I am wrong and the Rams can pull this out somehow, but I really want a crack at Mariota or Petty, and hope that one of those guys can turn this ship around, ideally under the guidance of a new Offensive Coordinator.