READING TIME 3 MINUTES:
* Any prognosis of what the Rams must to do to rejoin the ranks of the alive and well begins with a simple premise: win some division games. The Rams haven't made the playoffs since the 2004 season. That's also the last time they were anything close to being a factor in the NFC West. Consider:
-- Since the start of the 2005 season, the Rams have been bullied by NFC West rivals. They're 0-10 vs. Seattle, 2-8 vs. the 49ers and 2-8 vs. Arizona for a five-season record of 4-26.
-- Over the last four seasons the Rams are 0-8 against the Seahawks, 2-6 vs. the 49ers and 1-7 vs. the Cardinals for an NFC West mark of 3-21.
-- It's even worse over the last three seasons: 0-6 vs. Seattle, 1-5 against the 49ers and 0-6 vs. the Cardinals for an NFC West record of 1-17.
The Rams have not won a division game since beating the 'Niners on Nov. 18, 2007.
They have not defeated the Cardinals since Sept. 24, 2006.
And their last regular-season win over the Seahawks came on Nov. 14, 2004.
The Rams are 1-14 in home games inside the division since the start of the 2005 season; the only win came against the 49ers on Nov. 26, 2006.
I get tired of hearing about "statement" games, but with the Arizona Cardinals coming into the Edward Jones Dome for Sunday's season-opener, this would be a good time for the Rams to make a stand. And let everyone know that they're going to at least offer some resistance against the NFC West this season.
* New Orleans over Minnesota tonight as the NFL kicks off the 2010 season. Defending Super Bowl champs haven't done well in terms of repeating -- the last time it happened was the 2005 New England team -- but they usually come out strong, having won the last six season-openers in the Thursday-night showcase. Two other factors: the Saints are at home. The Saints also figure to pound Brett Favre again. The gradual beating took a toll on Favre in last season's NFC Championship Game; in the second half Favre threw two INTs and had a passer rating of 54.8. In the first half of that game, Favre had a TD with no INTs and a rating of 83.3.One of this years, Favre will be physically diminished. Is it this year?
And for my daily look at the Cardinals' struggles: Read about their starvation offense here.
As always, thanks for reading ...
-Bernie
