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By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch
Sunday, Dec. 26 2004
In the immediate aftermath of the Debacle in the Desert, veteran Isaac Bruce
put things into immediate perspective.
"There was a lot at stake today," Bruce said as he rummaged through a stack of
wrapped sandwiches in the visitors' locker room at Sun Devil Stadium. "And next
week there's going to be a lot at stake as well. We're still in the division,
and that's the biggest thing that we have to go on right now. Our biggest thing
is we're still alive. So that's what we have to feed off of."
But that 31-7 pratfall against Arizona left the Rams with a 6-8 record and
little margin for error. In fact, following victories Sunday by Seattle (8-7),
Carolina (7-8) and New Orleans (7-8), there is no margin for error.
Plain and simple, a loss tonight against Philadelphia eliminates the Rams from
playoff contention. They could not win the NFC West title. Nor could they claim
a wild-card berth. Here's why:
A loss tonight means the best the Rams could finish is 7-9, giving Seattle -
which can finish no worse than 8-8 - the West division title.
In the wild-card race, a Rams loss gives Minnesota and the winner of next
Sunday's Carolina-New Orleans game the NFC's two-wild-card berths.
Even if the Rams win tonight, they need a victory over the New York Jets next
Sunday - plus help - to earn their fifth playoff berth in six seasons. But
there are only two scenarios that work:
Even at 8-8, the Rams would need a Seattle loss next Sunday against Atlanta to
win the division title. With both teams at 8-8, the Rams have the tiebreaker
edge because they swept two division games against the Seahawks.
If Seattle wins the West by beating Atlanta to finish 9-7, an 8-8 Rams team
could still make the playoffs as a wild card if Minnesota loses at Washington.
And that's regardless of who wins the Carolina-New Orleans game.
"We have to win on Monday to have a chance to get in the playoffs. Period,"
defensive lineman Tyoka Jackson said. "I can't remember what it's like to win a
good game around here. I'm glad we're home the last two weeks. But we've
probably got the best team in football coming into our spot."
The Rams have won only two games since a Monday night triumph over Tampa Bay on
Oct. 18, defeating Seattle on Nov. 14 and San Francisco on Dec. 5. Given that
track record, what reason is there to believe the Rams can win their final two
games?
"I can give you a lot of reasons," Jackson said. "I've got No. 10 (Marc
Bulger). I've got 81 (Torry Holt). I've got 80 (Bruce). I've got 76 (Orlando
Pace). That's a few of them right there. I've got 91 (Leonard Little), 28
(Marshall Faulk). They'll all be coming on the field."
Playoff scenarios or not, Bruce has been around St. Louis long enough to know
that losing to the Cardinals is a no-no to denizens of the Gateway City.
"It's a big letdown for us," Bruce said. "Big disappointment. But I can assure
you that next Monday we'll come out and we'll play well. And that's what I
expect. As a unit, we'll play well."
Well, "next Monday" is upon us. The Philadelphia Eagles are in town with a 13-1
record and home-field advantage already assured in the NFC playoffs.
The Eagles will be without the injured Terrell Owens, their star wide receiver.
Philly coach Andy Reid has indicated broadly that many of his starters will not
finish tonight's game at the Edward Jones Dome.
Why? Because the Eagles have absolutely nothing to gain in terms of playoff
position in their final two regular-season games. But with an injury list that
numbered 15 this week, they have everything to lose in terms of banged-up
players.
But enough about what kind of team the Eagles will line up with tonight. What
kind of Rams team will show up tonight?
"We haven't played consistent," Bulger said. "When we have played well on
offense, we haven't on defense, and vice versa."
Last week in Arizona, neither side of the ball played well. The Rams' offense
didn't score a touchdown for the first time in two years.
"We have too many weapons across the board," Bruce said. "I never thought I'd
see it. But hopefully, it's the last time I see it."
All told, the Rams have scored only two offensive touchdowns since Bulger went
down with a bruised throwing shoulder late in the first quarter against San
Francisco on Dec. 5. Bulger returns to the starting lineup tonight, as does
veteran left guard Tom Nutten on a struggling offensive line.
But points don't figure to come easily against the Philadelphia defense.
Entering the weekend, the Eagles had allowed only 202 points, the lowest total
in the NFL this season.
And which Rams defense will show up? After good outings against Carolina and
San Francisco, the Rams yielded 31 points and 402 yards to the
less-than-stellar Arizona offense.
"They scored 31 points, and I don't know where all those points came from,"
defensive end Little said. "We can't give up 31 points. All the great defenses,
they don't give up 31 points no matter what the offense is doing."
At this point in time, the Rams are several steps short of great - on offense,
defense or special teams.
Of the Post-Dispatch
Sunday, Dec. 26 2004
In the immediate aftermath of the Debacle in the Desert, veteran Isaac Bruce
put things into immediate perspective.
"There was a lot at stake today," Bruce said as he rummaged through a stack of
wrapped sandwiches in the visitors' locker room at Sun Devil Stadium. "And next
week there's going to be a lot at stake as well. We're still in the division,
and that's the biggest thing that we have to go on right now. Our biggest thing
is we're still alive. So that's what we have to feed off of."
But that 31-7 pratfall against Arizona left the Rams with a 6-8 record and
little margin for error. In fact, following victories Sunday by Seattle (8-7),
Carolina (7-8) and New Orleans (7-8), there is no margin for error.
Plain and simple, a loss tonight against Philadelphia eliminates the Rams from
playoff contention. They could not win the NFC West title. Nor could they claim
a wild-card berth. Here's why:
A loss tonight means the best the Rams could finish is 7-9, giving Seattle -
which can finish no worse than 8-8 - the West division title.
In the wild-card race, a Rams loss gives Minnesota and the winner of next
Sunday's Carolina-New Orleans game the NFC's two-wild-card berths.
Even if the Rams win tonight, they need a victory over the New York Jets next
Sunday - plus help - to earn their fifth playoff berth in six seasons. But
there are only two scenarios that work:
Even at 8-8, the Rams would need a Seattle loss next Sunday against Atlanta to
win the division title. With both teams at 8-8, the Rams have the tiebreaker
edge because they swept two division games against the Seahawks.
If Seattle wins the West by beating Atlanta to finish 9-7, an 8-8 Rams team
could still make the playoffs as a wild card if Minnesota loses at Washington.
And that's regardless of who wins the Carolina-New Orleans game.
"We have to win on Monday to have a chance to get in the playoffs. Period,"
defensive lineman Tyoka Jackson said. "I can't remember what it's like to win a
good game around here. I'm glad we're home the last two weeks. But we've
probably got the best team in football coming into our spot."
The Rams have won only two games since a Monday night triumph over Tampa Bay on
Oct. 18, defeating Seattle on Nov. 14 and San Francisco on Dec. 5. Given that
track record, what reason is there to believe the Rams can win their final two
games?
"I can give you a lot of reasons," Jackson said. "I've got No. 10 (Marc
Bulger). I've got 81 (Torry Holt). I've got 80 (Bruce). I've got 76 (Orlando
Pace). That's a few of them right there. I've got 91 (Leonard Little), 28
(Marshall Faulk). They'll all be coming on the field."
Playoff scenarios or not, Bruce has been around St. Louis long enough to know
that losing to the Cardinals is a no-no to denizens of the Gateway City.
"It's a big letdown for us," Bruce said. "Big disappointment. But I can assure
you that next Monday we'll come out and we'll play well. And that's what I
expect. As a unit, we'll play well."
Well, "next Monday" is upon us. The Philadelphia Eagles are in town with a 13-1
record and home-field advantage already assured in the NFC playoffs.
The Eagles will be without the injured Terrell Owens, their star wide receiver.
Philly coach Andy Reid has indicated broadly that many of his starters will not
finish tonight's game at the Edward Jones Dome.
Why? Because the Eagles have absolutely nothing to gain in terms of playoff
position in their final two regular-season games. But with an injury list that
numbered 15 this week, they have everything to lose in terms of banged-up
players.
But enough about what kind of team the Eagles will line up with tonight. What
kind of Rams team will show up tonight?
"We haven't played consistent," Bulger said. "When we have played well on
offense, we haven't on defense, and vice versa."
Last week in Arizona, neither side of the ball played well. The Rams' offense
didn't score a touchdown for the first time in two years.
"We have too many weapons across the board," Bruce said. "I never thought I'd
see it. But hopefully, it's the last time I see it."
All told, the Rams have scored only two offensive touchdowns since Bulger went
down with a bruised throwing shoulder late in the first quarter against San
Francisco on Dec. 5. Bulger returns to the starting lineup tonight, as does
veteran left guard Tom Nutten on a struggling offensive line.
But points don't figure to come easily against the Philadelphia defense.
Entering the weekend, the Eagles had allowed only 202 points, the lowest total
in the NFL this season.
And which Rams defense will show up? After good outings against Carolina and
San Francisco, the Rams yielded 31 points and 402 yards to the
less-than-stellar Arizona offense.
"They scored 31 points, and I don't know where all those points came from,"
defensive end Little said. "We can't give up 31 points. All the great defenses,
they don't give up 31 points no matter what the offense is doing."
At this point in time, the Rams are several steps short of great - on offense,
defense or special teams.
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