Lilseb93
This Is My House
Lets Get The RAMS!!
WHEN THE DOLPHINS PASSChad Pennington proved last week he could account for a lot of passing yards when the Dolphins need it. But the Dolphins hope they don't need it because it really isn't their strength. This team would rather not pass 40 times a game, and with leading receiver Greg Camarillo out for the season and left tackle Jake Long's sprained ankle limiting his mobility, Miami is more likely to run. The Rams are not a solid pass defense, ranking 21st in the NFL, but that is better than their run defense. By the way, anyone seen tight end Anthony Fasano lately? He's caught one pass the past three games. Advantage: Miami.
WHEN THE RAMS PASS
Trent Green played quarterback last week when starter Marc Bulger couldn't because of a concussion, and it was a disaster for the Rams. Green threw four interceptions and had a quarterback rating of 37.4. So the Rams are praying that Bulger will be able to return for this game because their only chance to win seems to be if they author a game plan similar to the one that exposed Miami's secondary last week: Have five receivers in the pattern, an offensive line that can protect and a quarterback that can pick out the open receiver. Advantage: St. Louis.
WHEN THE DOLPHINS RUN
If Ronnie Brown and/or Ricky Williams don't have great days, something is wrong with the Dolphins. The Rams are No. 30 in the NFL against the run. Seven running backs have gained more than 100 yards against them. They allow 162 rushing yards per game. Are you getting the idea the Rams cannot stop the run? The Dolphins' running game has been a study in inconsistency, unable to break three yards per rush average against Buffalo and Denver, then working against Seattle and Oakland, then going dormant against against New England. Look for the roller coaster to head up this game. Advantage: Miami.
WHEN THE RAMS RUN
The Rams have the lowest scoring offense in the NFL, averaging 13.4 points per game. The fact that running back Steven Jackson, perhaps the Rams' best offensive player, has a thigh injury and has started only six games this year has plenty to do with that. The Dolphins' run defense had the week off against New England because the Patriots were so busy passing. But it is imperative, believe it or not, for Miami's run defense to play well Sunday so that St. Louis throws the ball instead of runs, which the Dolphins believe is in their interest. Advantage: Miami.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Dolphins might have found a team as inept as they are. The Rams have a terrible field-goal percentage that is 31st in the NFL. They struggle covering kickoffs (29th) and punts (24th) and are not much better when they return kicks, either. The Dolphins improved somewhat on special teams last week -- if one measure of improvement is that New England wasn't able to gash Miami's coverage units. The addition of linebacker Erik Walden paid a dividend when he made two special teams tackles. Advantage: Even.
COACHING
Rams coach Jim Haslett has been told he must win at least two more games this season to keep the job he inherited when former Dolphins assistant Scott Linehan was fired. That's one motivated coach, but he's got a battered team. Tony Sparano's staff is coming off perhaps its worst outing of the season; it didn't double Randy Moss at all and had no answers for New England's offensive plan. Consequently, the Dolphins lost to a team they had beaten earlier, which was struggling with injuries and playing on the road. Advantage: Miami.
RECENT HISTORY
The Rams aren't the Greatest Show on Turf anymore. They have lost five consecutive games and haven't really been competitive in those games. Overall advantage: Miami.
WHEN THE DOLPHINS PASSChad Pennington proved last week he could account for a lot of passing yards when the Dolphins need it. But the Dolphins hope they don't need it because it really isn't their strength. This team would rather not pass 40 times a game, and with leading receiver Greg Camarillo out for the season and left tackle Jake Long's sprained ankle limiting his mobility, Miami is more likely to run. The Rams are not a solid pass defense, ranking 21st in the NFL, but that is better than their run defense. By the way, anyone seen tight end Anthony Fasano lately? He's caught one pass the past three games. Advantage: Miami.
WHEN THE RAMS PASS
Trent Green played quarterback last week when starter Marc Bulger couldn't because of a concussion, and it was a disaster for the Rams. Green threw four interceptions and had a quarterback rating of 37.4. So the Rams are praying that Bulger will be able to return for this game because their only chance to win seems to be if they author a game plan similar to the one that exposed Miami's secondary last week: Have five receivers in the pattern, an offensive line that can protect and a quarterback that can pick out the open receiver. Advantage: St. Louis.
WHEN THE DOLPHINS RUN
If Ronnie Brown and/or Ricky Williams don't have great days, something is wrong with the Dolphins. The Rams are No. 30 in the NFL against the run. Seven running backs have gained more than 100 yards against them. They allow 162 rushing yards per game. Are you getting the idea the Rams cannot stop the run? The Dolphins' running game has been a study in inconsistency, unable to break three yards per rush average against Buffalo and Denver, then working against Seattle and Oakland, then going dormant against against New England. Look for the roller coaster to head up this game. Advantage: Miami.
WHEN THE RAMS RUN
The Rams have the lowest scoring offense in the NFL, averaging 13.4 points per game. The fact that running back Steven Jackson, perhaps the Rams' best offensive player, has a thigh injury and has started only six games this year has plenty to do with that. The Dolphins' run defense had the week off against New England because the Patriots were so busy passing. But it is imperative, believe it or not, for Miami's run defense to play well Sunday so that St. Louis throws the ball instead of runs, which the Dolphins believe is in their interest. Advantage: Miami.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Dolphins might have found a team as inept as they are. The Rams have a terrible field-goal percentage that is 31st in the NFL. They struggle covering kickoffs (29th) and punts (24th) and are not much better when they return kicks, either. The Dolphins improved somewhat on special teams last week -- if one measure of improvement is that New England wasn't able to gash Miami's coverage units. The addition of linebacker Erik Walden paid a dividend when he made two special teams tackles. Advantage: Even.
COACHING
Rams coach Jim Haslett has been told he must win at least two more games this season to keep the job he inherited when former Dolphins assistant Scott Linehan was fired. That's one motivated coach, but he's got a battered team. Tony Sparano's staff is coming off perhaps its worst outing of the season; it didn't double Randy Moss at all and had no answers for New England's offensive plan. Consequently, the Dolphins lost to a team they had beaten earlier, which was struggling with injuries and playing on the road. Advantage: Miami.
RECENT HISTORY
The Rams aren't the Greatest Show on Turf anymore. They have lost five consecutive games and haven't really been competitive in those games. Overall advantage: Miami.
