ST. LOUIS RAMS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS 
Vegas Line: Rams + 3
Rob’s Line: Rams + 1.5
Is this the game then that only loved ones of those taking part will be watching? The player selected last overall in the NFL Draft is titled ‘Mr. Irrelevant’…can this game become their second cousin removed?!! Yes, it is harsh of me and I apologise to all you Rams and Browns out there, but I’m a Seahawk so I think I’ve earnt my turn down the years at a little dig in the ribs every now and again.
I am wrong to even attempt to label this matchup as irrelevant because as any draftnik out there will tell you, this game has massive implications in the Andrew Luck stakes, especially if the Rams lose and the Colts topple the Jaguars. I’m not going to count the Dolphins as serious players for Luck as I believe they’ll win more games this season, but the Rams in contention for Luck having only drafted Sam Bradford first overall in the 2010 draft? I hope they do pick first…not only would it mean that they’ve finished below the Seahawks in the NFC West, but it ensures a media frenzy as a possible scrum of teams jockey for position with blockbuster trades to offer the Rams because, surely, they won’t draft Luck and trade Bradford…but even that is part of the delicious intrigue!
Stastically, the Browns are terrible on offense, ranking 31st in rushing and 25th in passing, but defensively they rank first in pass defense, giving up just 165 yards per game through the air. Their excellent secondary is led by stud cornerback Joe Haden and hard hitting safety T. J. Ward, but that unit received a blow this week when it was announced that Ward won’t play on Sunday due to a foot injury and it’s likely he’ll miss a few weeks. It hasn’t been determined what the injury actually is, just that Ward “felt a pop.”
Rams running back Steven Jackson has shown veteran leadership this season in what has been a tough year for St. Louis and all this after almost making the playoffs last year and being tipped for a playoff run again this year. In the memorable (almost unforgettable if you’re a Ram) win over New Orleans two weeks ago, Jackson was the voice on the sideline cajoling all those around him and he stepped up to the plate himself, carrying his team to victory. He enjoyed another fine day last week despite the Rams going down in overtime in Arizona and with Cleveland’s defense ranked 30th against the run, I can see a motivated Jackson breaking the 100 yard barrier for the third week in a row.
Overall, I like St. Louis more than I do Cleveland, especially with Ward not playing as he would’ve been up facing Jackson from his strong safety position so any points on offer for the Rams are fine by me. I also take them to win from scratch.
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