Rams Preview - Week 3 - at Seattle

After two weeks of uninspired football, the Rams find themselves off to an 0-2 start to the season. To get out of the slump the Rams will travel to Seattle this week to face division rival, the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks, also 0-2 and who have been decimated by injuries at the wide receiver position, are coming off a tough 33-30 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week.

So two 0-2 teams meet in Week 3. What to expect. For one the Rams have to come out and play like a desperate football team. It is still possible for their season to change. It is still only week two. But this is the game where it has to happen.

With owner, Chip Rosenbloom, chiming in on possible changes on Monday, coach Linehan and his staff might be on a very short lease. Changes could be coming soon to St. Louis sooner than expected.

Seattle is going to be mad coming off their loss in overtime last week. That is why it will be key for the Rams to stay in the game in the first half and weather the storm, much like they did last week against the Giants. By halftime if the Rams aren’t close, that should be a major cause of concern for the players. This is because through two weeks, the Rams rank dead last in offense and defense. Not something which bodes well for comebacks.

Other things the Rams need to do to win this game. Establish the run game with Steven Jackson. Jackson hasn’t been able to go over 100 rushing in a game this season. With rookie RBs doing this on the regular, more is expected of Jackson, especially since he received his big money deal in training camp. If Jackson doesn’t have a big game, the Rams will not come out of Seattle with a victory.

As much as Seattle’s passing game has struggled they still were able to put up 30 points last week. QB Marc Bulger and the Rams would love to even score half that amount through the air.

Last weeks TD pass from Bulger to Holt (where Holt had to wrestle the ball from a Giant defensive back) was the only passing TD the Rams have had all season. In this passing league, one passing touchdown a game won’t win you many football games, if any.

Bulger and the Rams receivers need to do more to stretch the field so they can get the Seahawks defence from just stacking the box against Jackson.

Defensively, Jim Haslett’s unit has come under fire. This is not surprising as I have already mentioned how porous the D is this year. So if the Rams early in the game are caught not making tackles, allowing plays of 10+ yards, playing uninspired football, it will be a long day and probably be another game in the loss column afterward.

In my opinion, this game determines the Rams season. It is that serious in Week 3. If they can’t get up to face a divison rival with all the uncertainty regarding the coaching staff and players, the team will have given up on the season. I expect a more competitive game from the Rams this week. And if it is close, don’t be surprised to see Josh Brown kick for the win in his old stomping grounds.

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Last post (s) by Femi Fasoyinu

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