Last Updated on October 28, 2010 4:28 am by Anthony Rome
Panthers vs. Rams Preview
ST. LOUIS, MO – After going almost two calendar years without a home win, the St. Louis Rams suddenly can’t lose at the Edward Jones Dome.
The Rams hope to bounce back from their latest loss with a fourth consecutive home win Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, who are coming off their first victory of the season.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BroburySports.com have made the Rams 3-point spread favorites for Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Current NFL Public Betting Information shows that 78% of more than the 3,853 bets for this game have been placed on the Rams -3.
A 17-13, season-opening loss to Arizona extended St. Louis’ home skid to 14 games dating to a 34-14 win over Dallas on Oct. 19, 2008. Two weeks after the loss to the Cardinals, the Rams snapped the skid with a 30-16 win over Washington. They’ve followed that effort with home victories over Seattle and San Diego.
St. Louis has averaged 23.3 points during its home winning streak, compared to 12.3 per game while going 0-3 on the road.
The Rams have not won four straight at home in a single season since Nov. 14, 2004-Jan. 2, 2005.
In order to match that stretch, St. Louis must rebound from an 18-17 loss at Tampa Bay last Sunday. The Rams were shut out in the second half, and have been outscored 46-3 in the final two quarters of their last three games.
“It was just a lot of little things, things we’ve got to get figured out, things we’ve done in our wins, especially, that we just didn’t get done,” said rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, who was 13 of 26 for 126 yards and two TDs against the Buccaneers.
Bradford has contributed to the Rams’ second-half struggles. The No.1 overall draft pick has thrown seven touchdowns, three interceptions and has an 86.5 passer rating in the first half this season. He’s thrown two TDs, five interceptions and has a 54.7 rating after halftime.
Bradford might take comfort in knowing star running back Steven Jackson could play after breaking a finger last weekend.
Despite suffering the injury, Jackson ran 22 times for 110 yards to set the franchise career rushing record with 7,324 yards in less than seven seasons. Jackson underwent surgery on the finger Monday.
“He didn’t think it was a big deal,” coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “He kept playing. … He’s going to be sore. Hopefully, he’ll be able to play. He’s just a warrior.”
Jackson has topped the 100-yard mark in three straight contests overall, but he’s been held to 85 yards and no TDs on 25 carries in two games versus Carolina.
The Panthers (1-5) could have the momentum to shut down Jackson and the Rams after rallying for a 23-20 home win over San Francisco last weekend.
Back as the starting quarterback after being benched in favor of rookie Jimmy Clausen following Week 2, Matt Moore threw for a career-high 308 yards and two TDs to lead the Panthers to 10 points in the final 1 minute, 53 seconds.
Carolina is 3-0 when Moore throws for 200 yards or more.
“He sat back, watched and I think (it was) a good learning experience,” coach John Fox said of Moore’s three-game benching.
Despite Moore’s effort and an eight-catch, 125-yard, two-touchdown performance from rookie receiver David Gettis, Carolina – which has scored a league-low 75 points – still has issues going forward.
The Panthers could be without star running back DeAngelo Williams, who suffered a foot injury late in last week’s victory.
After rushing for more than 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons, Williams has 361 yards and one TD in 2010. He has 176 yards on 35 carries in two games versus St. Louis.
If Williams can’t go, Jonathan Stewart will likely see the bulk of the work. Stewart ran for a career-high 1,133 yards last season, but has been limited to 148 on 50 carries this year.
Carolina has outscored St. Louis 62-20 during a three-game winning streak in the series. The Panthers won the most recent meeting 27-13 at St. Louis on Sept. 9, 2007.
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