[laram0]

The point spread for this game has been all over the board. This is a very tough game to handicap. As bad as the Whiners have played this season our RAMS have played worse when playing on the road "outdoors".

Injuries have had a huge impact on both teams. We are all aware of the injury situations that have plagued our RAMS all season. Although the Whiners haven't had the multitude of injuries we've experienced they have had key injuries as well.

Alex Smith has missed a couple of games and is currently trying to play through a shoulder injury. Frank Gore has missed 1 game and he's currently trying to play through an ankle injury. Alex Smith and Frank Gore are definitely the Whiners two best players on the offensive side of the ball.

Although the Whiners offense (when healthy) wasn't anything to write home about, they've really struggled with Smith and Gore hobbled. Let's not forget with Smith and Gore healthy the Whiners came into the Edward Jones Dome and beat our RAMS, week 2. (17-16)

Here's a look at the (2-7) Whiners.

OFFENSE:
#32- Overall- 218.6 ypg
#32- Scoring- 11.6 ppg
#32- Passing- 128.4 ypg
#25- Rushing- 90.1 ypg
#30- Sacks Allowed- 31
#24 Turnover Ratio- (-7)

**NOTE**

The Whiners quarterbacks have a combined pass completion percentage of (49.8). By far the lowest in the NFL. The NFL average is 62%.

DEFENSE:
#23- Overall- 341.3 ypg
#23- Pts Allowed- 23.3 ppg
#21- Pass D- 216.4 ypg
#25- Rush D- 124.9 ypg
#22- Sacks- (14)

**NOTE**
6 of the 14 sacks came in one game. You guessed it, week 2 against our RAMS.

Rookie Patrick Willis (ILB) leads the NFL with 88 tackles. He's been playing with a broken hand.

Because of the injury situations and poor overall showing by both teams there hasn't been any Gore vs. Jackson comparisons or debates this season.

Well let me be the first to do so.

Gore:
Rushing- 63.4 ypg- 3 td's- 4.1 avg. per carry
Receiving- 17 for 132 yds- 0 td's- 16.5 yards per reception

Jackson:
Rushing- 70.0 ypg- 2 td's- 3.5 avg. per carry
Receiving- 15 for 90 yards- 0 td's- 18 yards per reception
Passing 1/1- 2 yards- 1 td

Analyzing and re-analyzing the stats until the cows come home won't help give any of us a clue as to the outcome of this game. These games are always unpredictable because of the "BITTER" rivalry.

I'm going to give it a shot though.

Taking into consideration that the Whiners are (1-3) at home. Coming into this game on a 7 game losing streak. Having just lost a Monday night game (shutout 24-0) with a day less to prepare for our RAMS.

Our RAMS coming in after laying a beatin' on the Saints at New Orleans. Our offense looking like it is back and the defense playing very stingy for 3 quarters.

??? BLOWOUT ???

Not so fast, let's not forget how bad we have played this season on the road.

"OUTDOORS"

(0-4) Shellacked in all 4 games.

So here it is, my prediction.....

RAMS 24 Whiners 13

:r