Rams’ 2014 Win Total Odds
LAS VEGAS, NV (The Spread) – The St. Louis Rams are one of the true up-and-coming teams in the NFL but will they win over 8 games in 2014?
Unlike Jeff Fisher’s first two seasons in St. Louis when the team signed Cortland Finnegan and Jake Lake, the Rams didn’t make any big splashes in free agency this year. They did take a one-year flier on troubled receiver Kenny Britt and also added roster depth in Alex Carrington, Davi Joseph and Shaun Hill. One key re-signing was offensive tackle/guard Rodger Saffold, who had a free agent deal fall through in Oakland before returning to St. Louis.
Among the team’s free agent losses were backup quarterback Kellen Clemens, guards Shelley Smith and Chris Williams, and safety Darian Stewart. Running back Daryl Richardson, guard Harvey Dahl and the aforementioned Finnegan were all released by the Rams. Tim Walton was also fired as defensive coordinator and replaced by Gregg Williams.
In the draft the Rams beefed up in the trenches with the additions of Auburn offensive lineman Greg Robinson and PITT defensive tackle Aaron Donald with their two first-round picks. In the second they took versatile defensive back LeMarcus Joyner from Florida State and in the third they nabbed Robinson’s Auburn teammate Tre Mason. One other thing of note, the Rams selected Missouri defensive end Michael Sam in the seventh, as he became the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Rams’ win total for 2014 has been set at 7.5. Whether or not this team wins at least eight games may depend on the health and performance of quarterback Sam Bradford, who is coming off an ACL injury suffered in 2013. The Rams will be run-heavy but Bradford needs to make more plays in the passing game if this team is going to take that next step. The pass rush is one of the best in football and the defense is an emerging top-10 unit. But the offensive line has to stay healthy has a unit and Bradford can’t be merely average if this team is going to challenge for a playoff spot in a loaded NFC West. I do favor the over, however.
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