schedule next 6 weeks

Pretty tough except for the Giants. Arizona is without Palmer, though it’s in Arizona. Houston is pretty tough, as are the 5-2 Saints (but for different reasons in each case). It’s possible Houston is fading.

But, the real big games are at-Minnesota, Philadelphia, and at-Seattle. That’s 3 very tough games in 5 weeks. If this team really is a contender, then, they need to win 2 of those 3. All 3 would be a lot to ask.

November 5 … @ New York Giants
November 12 … Houston Texans
November 19 … @ Minnesota Vikings
November 26 … New Orleans Saints
December 3 … @ Arizona Cardinals
December 10 … Philadelphia Eagles
December 17 … @ Seattle Seahawks

IMO 2 things have to happen for the Rams to win most of those games.

1. They have to improve the redzone scoring offense and get TDs instead of FGs.
2. They have to stay as good on defense as they have been in the last 3 games.

Numbers —->

Right now the Rams are 22nd in Redzone scoring percentage, TDs only. (That’s a real stat: Redzone scoring percentage, TDs only. “RZSPTDO” for short.) In the last 3 games it dropped a bit to 25th.

And coming soon, they will play 3 teams that are top 10 in that (Philadelphia, Houston, New Orleans).

When it comes to that stat, though, it gets interesting on defense. On defense, Rams are nominally 21st . But that number is an average combining the earlier, worse defensive games with the last few games where they were far better. As an average between the earlier defense and the recent improved defense, it’s misleading–the earlier numbers tilt it. But if you look at the last 3 games taken by themselves, they rank 5th.

If the defense of the last 3 games is the real Rams defense, they are capable of challenging top scoring teams.

BUT it would help a lot if the Rams scoring drives led to more TDs.

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