***SWAMPOMANIA TNF CARDS @ RAMMIES***
***ST. LOUIS RAMS -4.5***
The Rams have been playing lights out defensively lately and extremely impressive. They kind of finally look like the team that I thought they would be this season, too bad it is too late for them as they are actually playing like a contender. Especially at home, their defense is lethal shutting out their opponents the last two games and attempting to tie an NFL record of three straight tonight. Arizona also has a superb defense but have been exploited lately due to some injuries and have shown that they are not the same elite defense they were earlier this year. Since losing their starting QB Carson Palmer, Arizona has clearly missed him tremendously as backup Drew Stanton can't catch a break and is getting embarassed out there week after week. His play I believe has really taken a toll on the Cards and broken their spirit a bit. I feel as though they know deep down that they are in trouble and that he is not going to take them very far into the playoffs if they even still make them at this point (which I believe they do not). I have forseen a Arizona meltdown toward the end of the season here and think they will lose the majority of their games left, if not all of them. I was suprised last week that they were able to squeak out a win against Kansas City. However anyone who watched that game knows that they were extremely fortunate for that outcome and had a few HUGE questionable calls in their favor that helped influence the end result.
Tonight I fully anticipate Stanton to once again be under durress as arguably the best defensive front in the league is thrown at him in various different schemes and blitzes. With the addition of defensive leader Chris Long back in his DE spot for the Rams, it has really provided this team with a jolt that they were struggling to find early on. Now you have him and fellow freak pass rusher Robert Quinn on the opposite end, amongst many other standout defenders licking their chops to get to a backup QB who has shown doesn't fair too well under pressure of that sort. That being said I do not like Arizona's chances to score many points, if any at all. Especially with WR Larry Fitzgerald not 100% and starting RB Andre Ellington out with an injury. Both of these players were the main source of production and without them this team seems lost offensively. The score of the last time these two teams met is very deceiving and was much closer then it reads. St. Louis actually led most of the game until Arizona was able to score two defensive TDs late in the game to pull away. The Rams were also on their third road game in a row and had turnover prone Austin Davis in at QB at that time. As I mentioned above, the Rams have been playing tremendous football lately and have really seemed to of bought into Fisher and are playing for him, whom I think is an awesome Head Coach. They have very impressive wins against top tier teams like Denver and Seattle, and juuuust fell short of beating San Diego on the road as well. They recently abused two league bottom feeders in the Raiders and Redskins and did not let up a single point. Eventhough they may not admit to it, I think they really want that third shutout and will do everything they can to try and get it tonight. This defense will be JACKED up and Stanton is in some serious trouble. I expect a couple of turnovers and the Rams to love nothing more than to help crush the Arizona playoff spirit. On the other side of things, Rams QB Shaun Hill has managed games well thus far and seems to be getting more and more comfortable in the offense utilizing the weapons at hand, which he has a lot of. RB Tre Mason has really come on strong as well and I see him having a good game tonight. I will shutup now, Rams win big at home tonight!
