NFL Futures: Once upon a time the St. Louis Rams were known as the “Greatest Show on Turf” with an electrifying offense that led them to the 1999 World Championship and a Super Bowl berth two years later. Unfortunately there have been no playoff berths for the Rams since 2004 and they have not had a winning season since 2003. The Rams are trapped in the ever-tough NFC West with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, the 2012 NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, and an Arizona Cardinals team that won 10 games last year. It all means that improvement will be difficult for 2014. St. Louis opened at BetDSI as a +4400 choice to win the Super Bowl and as a +2500 choice to win the NFC championship. The Rams opened with an over under win total of 7.5 -145 over and +125 under.
Bradford Needed for Full Season
The Rams were a 7-9 team last year but had to play most of the season without QB Sam Bradford, who was having a career-best season before going down to injury in week seven. The Rams have worked to stock the lineup with wide receivers but lack depth at offensive line. They also are thin in the defensive secondary with a lack of depth at linebacker.
Handicapper’s Notebook
The Rams have covered the spread in just four out of their last 11 games as a favorite with seven out of their last 10 games as a chalk going over the total. The Rams have lost eight out of their last 12 games against the spread as a dog with just six out of their last 16 games as a dog going over the total. The Rams were 7-9 against the spread last year.
Our Prognosis
Bradford has had injury issues in two out of his first four seasons on the job and is the key to the Rams season. The problem is, however, that even if Bradford delivers it may very well not be enough for the Rams in the tough NFC West. There are simply too many “ifs” and question marks for a team that has not had a winning season in 11 years. Stepping out on the Rams would be a reach although there may be occasional betting value.
