MVN - Most Valuable Network

Rams to America: “We’re not the worst”

In a game that wasn’t as close as the scoreboard made it out, the Rams beat the 49ers 13-9.

It’s easy to blow this one off. Unable to build off last week’s impressive performance, the Rams’ offensive line yielded 6 sacks to a mediocre 49ers’ front. Despite a strong game by Steven Jackson (92 yards on 23 carries, 20 yards on 4 receptions), the Rams managed only a touchdown 4 minutes into the game and two field goals later on by Jeff Wilkins. And the Rams managed a meager 3.1 yards per play to a San Francisco defense in disarray.

But this game was still an achievement.

Marc Bulger, when given time to throw, proved last week’s performance was no aberration. Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce contributed their fair share of tough catches. While the 49ers offense is one of the league’s worst units, the Rams’ D shut them down all game long. And the Rams still prevailed in a rivalry game.

Perhaps most importantly, the Rams proved they’re not the worst team in the division anymore, let alone the league.

These are two teams going in opposite directions. The Rams have won two in a row. The 49ers have lost eight in a row, and they haven’t had the injury excuse the Rams had.

This isn’t a “worst-to-first” story of a team like the ‘99 Rams. In the big scheme of things, this one game will be forgotten in a lost Rams season.

But the Rams pulled off a worst-to-no-longer-the-worst, and it’s nice to be on top for once.

Game Balls:

Scott Linehan and Jim Haslett
Linehan wasn’t afraid to come out and throw, and the Rams offense pretty much embarrassed the 49ers defense on the opening drive. Haslett’s defense proved effective for the whole game. Even if the Rams couldn’t widen the margin, especially down the stretch, the two still deserve credit for preparing the Rams and getting the W.

Torry Holt
Holt’s touchdown reception was visual poetry. He had a couple more great catches later on and did a nice job against tough corner Nate Clements.

Isaac Bruce
The ageless wonder is now #6 on the career receiving yards list, passing his position coach, Henry Ellard. And he proved once again that he has the veteran savvy to make those catches on the sideline. Bruce has the best toe drag in the league since Cris Carter.

Steven Jackson
It’s scary to think what would have happened this game without Jackson. He turns five-yard losses into two-yard gains, and two-yard gains into first downs. There may be no more important player on this team.

Will Witherspoon
Witherspoon has turned out to be the heart-and-soul of the defense. If he doesn’t get a Pro Bowl nod, which would be his first, for his play this year, there isn’t justice in the world.

Game Jockstraps:

Dante Hall
Hall’s end-around at the start of the game was a great run, and he was a useful decoy down the stretch. But he had another muffed punt this week, and he’s lucky his teammates bailed him out.

Alex Barron
Not only did Barron play some middling football today, he got flagged for an illegal shift. Week after week Barron continues to draw these dumb flags - put him on any other team (with a capable number of backups), and he’s riding the bench.

Fakhir Brown
Brown got turned around by Darrell Jackson a couple times, and his height proved to be an issue a couple times this game. Brown’s play has been too erratic this year to give him a fair grade; one play he does the unthinkable, the next he does the un-think-able.

All in all, an inspiring win for the Rams. Hope they can build on it next week.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 18th, 2007 at 7:28 pm and is filed under Scott Linehan, Jim Haslett, Fakhir Brown, Rams News, Rams Players, Willl Witherspoon, Rams Special Teams, Rams Offense, Alex Barron, Torry Holt, Dante Hall, St. Louis Rams, Steven Jackson, Isaac Bruce, Marc Bulger, Rams Defense, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.