St Louis Rams NFL Betting Odds

2010 Season

After the St. Louis Rams finished the 2009-10 NFL season fourth in the NFC West with a shocking record of 1-15, they were paid little attention at the start of last season. Which is why even their most ardent critics were dazzled when they finished second in the division with a none-too-shabby record of 7-9, and narrowly missed out on a spot in the playoffs.

2011 Off Season

Although QB Sam Bradford was largely responsible for taking the St. Louis Rams to a new level last season, head coach Steve Spagnuolo must be given his dues for putting him in as well as turning the dejected, bottom-of-the-barrel team into an actual contender. During the off season, the Rams bid farewell to offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur as well as FB Mike Karney, WR Mark Clayton, WR Laurent Robinson, LB David Vobora and FS O.J. Atogwe. They then went shopping and signed up offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, as well as RBs Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood, WR Mike Sims-Walker, G Harvey Dahl, DTs Justin Bannan and Daniel Muir, LBs Ben Leber, Zach Diles, Brady Poppinga and Larry Grant, CB Al Harris and S Quintin Mikell. Using the 2011 NFL Draft, the Rams acquired DE Robert Quinn, TE Lance Kendricks, WRs Austin Pettis and Greg Salas, and SS Jermale Hines.

2011 Preview

You couldn't have wished for a bigger underdog than the St. Louis Rams last season, and as underdogs are often wont to do, they refused to roll over and die, and instead dug deep and went from zeros to heroes. Consider how they went from 31st in the league in points allowed per game to 12th in a single season, or how their rookie quarterback played way better than expected, racking up a whopping 3,512 yards. Offensively, the Rams will once again look to Bradford to stack up the points, and who will hopefully have an improved receiving corps to work with this season. That said, RB Steven Jackson is expected to play his part this season, as is former Bucs RB Cadillac Williams and former Falcons RB Jerious Norwood. And while St. Louis' WR department may still be lacking, Mark Clayton or Mike Sims-Walker could indeed fill the void. Defensively, the Rams made huge strides last season, not least because of exemplary players such as LB James Laurinaitis, DEs Chris Long and James Hall and DT Fred Robbins. The addition of DE Robert Quinn and S Quintin Mikell won't hurt any in helping the Rams' defense to become even stronger this season.

2011 Prediction

The St. Louis Rams seem to be on a roll. In the space of just one season they dragged themselves out of the NFL doldrums and reasserted themselves as a real threat in the NFC West. With a slew of solid players offensively and defensively, and lots of beneficial coaching, there is little stopping the Rams from improving their standings and record even more this season. That is provided that they can overcome a very tough start to the season in the form of the Eagles, Giants and Ravens.

**Our Pick

After their great accomplishment last season, I have a feeling the St. Louis Rams will be one of the teams to watch out for this season. They are packed with talent, highly motivated coaching staff and have the kind of confidence that comes with overcoming adversity. As such, I predict the Rams will finish first in the NFC West this season with a record of 10-6.