Rams 2011 schedule strength intriguing!?

The Rams were given a pretty soft schedule last year. Actually, with an opponent win percentage under 50%, it was the second easiest schedule in the league. I feel like that's exactly what the Rams needed, being so young and starting a rookie qb all 16 games. Not to mention winning only one game a year before.

This years schedules a different story.

Here's a list of some of the top tier teams we will face next year.

Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers
Dallas Cowboys(They will play much better under Garrett)
Green Bay Packers
New York Giants
Baltimore Ravens
New Orleans Saintes(Who dat? Dat's the defending super bowl champs who lost to the seagulls in the wild card round of the playoffs haha)

With a quick look at the teams it obvious the schedule strength took a 180 from last season. However, Im happy with the schedule

While it was very nice to see them win almost half their games last year, I'm ready for them to step up and play with the big dawgz.

I'm ready, even though they might not be, to see how well they fair against formidable teams rather than teams like the cards and panthers. Id much rather see how they fair against Big Ben, Vick,Rogers,etc. and the solid D's these teams bring almost every year.

Do anyone else agree?

Though it may seem weird, I have to agree. I would much rather watch my team go 15 rounds with a powerhouse than deliver a KO to a weak team. Does that mean we'll lose more? Probably. But we'll also win a couple of those games, and prove to the world that we are a team to be feared. A harder schedule gives us more chances to prove it.

Remember the '09 Falcons? They went 9-7 and the year after (this year) they go 13-3. I fully believe we can also do this with a few improvements this off season. I am definently looking forward to the challenge and am praying that our boys just go crazy and end up as the first seed in the NFC and get a bye :D

By any chance does anyone know if the Rams-Steelers game will be in Pittsburgh or in St. Louis this year??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BigGameHolt81

By any chance does anyone know if the Rams-Steelers game will be in Pittsburgh or in St. Louis this year??

---

Pittsburgh.

Wow if you really look at our schedule, everyone on there besides the cowgirls have been to the superbowl at least once in the past 10 years. And you would have to include our division rivals seahags and the cards have both been too in that time. So this year is our prove it or go home year.

I wouldn't put the Cowboys in the same class as those others at this point, but the point stands. That is a tough list of non-division opponents. But if you want to be the best, you have to play the best.

We play better against good teams anyway. We will be fine.

It's fine, it'll prepare the team well for the playoffs and test the teams mental and physical toughness.

Everybody else in the division is playing nearly the same schedule...

Two things to keep in mind.

1. Our division rivals will play most of the same teams; and
2. Just because a team would be a tough opponent in 2010 does not necessarily mean they'll be one in 2011. If the Rams had Dallas, Minnesota and Cincinnati on the schedule at the start of 2010, those would have seemed like very tough games when, in fact, those teams were all very beatable.

It is what it is. Bring it on!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Keen Eye

It's fine, it'll prepare the team well for the playoffs and test the teams mental and physical toughness.

Everybody else in the division is playing nearly the same schedule...

---

Agreed, nothing to worry too much about ,if we all play a similar strength schedule. It should come down to the divisional games. Hopefully this year we wont go 3-3 in a weak division. I hope we get the Steelers and Packers earlier in the year before the cold sets in really bad!
On paper at the moment most of these teams look good, but who knows what the teams will be like next year, count in the injury factors each week, who knows?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AvengerRam

If the Rams had Dallas, Minnesota and Cincinnati on the schedule at the start of 2010, those would have seemed like very tough games when, in fact, those teams were all very beatable.

---

Yes, but most of the teams, if not all, I listed have been more solid teams in recent years than that of the Bengals, Vikings, and Cowboys, for the most part.

I don't really see any of those teams declining next year. Atleast not to the point where we can say there very beatable. However, ill have no doubts that the Rams can finish all of these teams next year. Its nice the say that when two seasons ago the team was 1-15

Worst case scenario is that the Rams have an easy schedule in 2012.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FestusRam

Yes, but most of the teams, if not all, I listed have been more solid teams in recent years than that of the Bengals, Vikings, and Cowboys, for the most part.

I don't really see any of those teams declining next year. Atleast not to the point where we can say there very beatable. However, ill have no doubts that the Rams can finish all of these teams next year. Its nice the say that when two seasons ago the team was 1-15

---

Hey, we saw this year what injuries can do to a team. All it takes is an Aaron Rodgers concussion, and suddenly the Packers only put up 3 points.

I see this year as a year where we have to win the winnable games. We are certainly capable of winning every game in our division. Throw in Washington, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and suddenly we've got 9 games that look winnable on paper. Maybe eek out a win or two at home against one of those better teams, and suddenly a 10-11 win season looks realistic. This is assuming we keep mostly healthy and win the close games, however.