St. Louis Rams Predictions 2008
August 26, 2008
Head coach Scott Linehan will be feeling hot lava under his backside if his 2008 St. Louis Rams get off to another 0-8 start like last year. Linehan lost a grip on his team last year and he must prove early on against a rugged schedule that he still has control. You can guarantee NFL predictions will soon have an OVER\UNDER on Linehan’s firing if he starts even 0-3 this year. The NFC West division is wide open for the most part however, and a strong off-season should help bring St. Louis back to respectability. With a secondary that allowed 25 TD passes and a question mark at QB with Marc Bulger the NFC West St. Louis Rams are still a year away from being contenders though. The 2008 St. Louis Rams are at 75-1 NFL betting odds.
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After an injury plagued 2007 season hurt the St. Louis Rams trio of Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson and Torry Holt they are all back now ready to light up the scoreboard again. A year of experience should help the young offensive line that still owns left tackle Orlando Pace. Pace hasn’t been what he was as he has battled injuries but is still one of the NFL’s best in his 12th season. With Marc Bulger healthy the Rams could surprise on offense if he isn’t shell shocked from last year’s drumming. Bulger didn’t look like his usual accurate self last season and it is legit to wonder if he has slipped or if it was due to his rib injury. Despite an injury plagued year RB Steven Jackson had his 3rd straight 1000+ yard rushing season. Jackson is a top-5 NFL back with explosive power and 4.40 speed and should have a monster season now that he is healthy. Rams lifer Torry Holt will no longer have Issac Bruce opposite of him this season but, Bruce’s replacement Drew Bennett is a 6’5″ red-zone target. Bennett has been injury prone and Holt has lost a step but the wideouts are deep and could do some damage. Also added into the mix was 2nd round burner WR Donnie Avery (4.30 speed) who will be the vertical threat in offensive coordinator Al Saunders system. The NFL predictions have the 2008 St. Louis Rams at +550 odds to win the NFC West.
Linebacker Will Witherspoon leads the St. Louis Rams 4-3 defense that struggled mightily last year finishing 31st in the NFL in points allowed. Injuries hit the defense hard but St. Louis has two playmakers in DE Leonard Little (13 Sacks 06″) and FS O.J Atogwe (8 Int’s 07″) who both have impact potential. Passionate WLB Pisa Tinoisamoa is among the NFL’s best when on the field with Witherspoon but he too has battled injuries. #2 overall draft choice DE Chris Long will give the line more versatility with his pass-rush ability. DT Adam Carriker is a physical specimen that has battled injury but has the tools to be very good. Long and Carriker could anchor this line for years to come if they fulfill their talent. The secondary is only average but CB Fakhir Brown has show steady improvement and had a good 2007 with 4 INT”s. CB Tye Hill is not equipped for the Rams physical style of coverage and he has been a sore spot. SS Corey Chavous is a below-average athlete but he is a hard hitter and a vocal leader. The struggling special teams got a significant upgrade when they signed the golden leg of Josh Brown away from the Seattle.
The NFC West St. Louis Rams NFL predictions call for improvement from a team that was hit harder than the M.A.S.H unit a year ago. Steven Jackson is a bull that is tough to handle and there is reason to believe that Marc Bulger has another year left in the tank. Bet the OVER 6.5 WINS at -155 for the NFL betting odds to win the NFC West.
2007 St. Louis Rams NFL Betting ATS Record: 5-11
2008 St. Louis Rams NFL Betting Power Ratings 1-10 Scale
Coaching: 7
Quarterback: 6
Running Back: 9
Offensive Line: 6
Receivers: 6
Defensive Line: 6
Linebackers: 7
Defensive Backs: 5
Special Teams: 7
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