By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Apr. 16 2008
Maybe the Rams upset somebody at NFL headquarters, because in terms of degree
of difficulty, their 2008 schedule is front-loaded to the max. Over the first
seven games of ’08, the Rams face five playoff teams from last season,
including both Super Bowl participants.
The combined regular-season record of those first seven foes was 73-39.
Among them, only Buffalo (7-9) is coming off a losing season.
In contrast, the Rams face only one ’07 playoff team (Seattle) over the final
nine games.
Those nine opponents had a combined mark of 52-92 last season.
So if the Rams can tread water through the first two months, they could be on
to something.
Then again, this is a team that started 0-8 last year.
Preseason schedule:
Week 1 at Tennessee, TBD
Week 2 San Diego, TBD
Week 3 Baltimore, TBD
Week 4, 7 p.m. Aug 28 at Kansas City
Game 1 • Philadelphia
Sun., Sept. 7 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The last time the Rams opened in Philly (in 2001), they won 20-17 in OT and
went on to win the NFC title. Will history repeat? Only an optimist would say
yes.
Game 2 • NY Giants
Sun., Sept. 14 • KTVI (2) • Noon
For the third time since the move to St. Louis, the Rams host a defending Super
Bowl champ. They lost the other two matchups by a combined 84-32.
Game 3 • Seattle
Sun. Sept. 21 • KTVI (2) • 3:05 p.m.
The Rams haven’t won at Qwest Field since 2004. At least Josh Brown can’t beat
them with a last-second field goal.
Game 4 • Buffalo
Sun. Sept. 28 • KMOV (4) • 3:05 p.m.
The Bills haven’t visited St. Louis since ‘95, the inaugural year for the team
here. This may be the most winnable game for the Rams until November.
Game 5 • Washington
Sun. Oct. 12 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The Rams begin a stretch of 4 road games in 6 contests against another NFC East
foe. The “St. Louis” Rams have lost 5 of 7 against the ‘Skins.
Game 6 • Dallas
Sun. Oct. 19 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The potent Cowboys bring their traveling circus to town with Romo, TO, and
maybe even Pacman. This completes the Rams’ tour of the NFC East.
Game 7 • New England
Sun. Oct. 26 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Not since 2001 have these teams met in Foxborough. Hopefully, the Rams will
hold any Saturday walk-throughs in St. Louis — under strict security.
Game 8 • Arizona
Sun. Nov. 2 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Will Kurt Warner be starting for the Big Red at QB by now? And will he shred
the Rams as he did in the ’07 finale, a humiliating 48-19 loss for St. Louis?
Game 9 • NY Jets
Sun. Nov. 9 • KTVI (2) • Noon
This is one of the more winnable games of ’08. But how will those high-priced
Jets free agents be playing? What will the Rams’ injury list look like?
Game 10 • San Francisco
Sun. Nov. 16 • KTVI (2) • 3:05 p.m.
We’ll have to see it to believe it. Sometime in pregame warm-ups, Mike Martz
will chat up WR Isaac Bruce — and both will be wearing 49ers gear!
Game 11 • Chicago
Sun. Nov. 23 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The Bears seem to be very much in decline after their 2006 Super Bowl run. Memo
to Al Roberts: Don’t kick or punt the ball anywhere near Devin Hester.
Game 12 • Miami
Sun. Nov. 30 • KMOV (4) • Noon
Who will prove to be the turkey in this post-Thanksgiving clash? Bill Parcells
will be worth every cent if he has the ’Fins in playoff contention this late.
Game 13 • Arizona
Sun. Dec. 7 • KTVI (2) • 3:15 p.m.
Speaking of playoff contention, the Rams close the season with 3 of their last
4 contests against NFC West foes. Will it still matter on Pearl Harbor day?
Game 14 • Seattle
Sun., Dec 14 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Seattle could be closing in on its fifth straight NFC West crown. Once more,
with feeling: Josh Brown won’t beat the Rams with a last-second FG.
Game 15 • San Francisco
Sun., Dec 21 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The Rev. Ike returns to St. Louis. No matter what the score, regardless of the
game’s importance — or lack thereof — there will be chants of “BR-UUUU-CE!”
Game 16 • Atlanta
Sun. Dec. 28 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Were the schedule-makers saving the worst for last? These combatants were a
combined 7-25 in ’07. Will the finale have more at stake than draft position?
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Apr. 16 2008
Maybe the Rams upset somebody at NFL headquarters, because in terms of degree
of difficulty, their 2008 schedule is front-loaded to the max. Over the first
seven games of ’08, the Rams face five playoff teams from last season,
including both Super Bowl participants.
The combined regular-season record of those first seven foes was 73-39.
Among them, only Buffalo (7-9) is coming off a losing season.
In contrast, the Rams face only one ’07 playoff team (Seattle) over the final
nine games.
Those nine opponents had a combined mark of 52-92 last season.
So if the Rams can tread water through the first two months, they could be on
to something.
Then again, this is a team that started 0-8 last year.
Preseason schedule:
Week 1 at Tennessee, TBD
Week 2 San Diego, TBD
Week 3 Baltimore, TBD
Week 4, 7 p.m. Aug 28 at Kansas City
Game 1 • Philadelphia
Sun., Sept. 7 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The last time the Rams opened in Philly (in 2001), they won 20-17 in OT and
went on to win the NFC title. Will history repeat? Only an optimist would say
yes.
Game 2 • NY Giants
Sun., Sept. 14 • KTVI (2) • Noon
For the third time since the move to St. Louis, the Rams host a defending Super
Bowl champ. They lost the other two matchups by a combined 84-32.
Game 3 • Seattle
Sun. Sept. 21 • KTVI (2) • 3:05 p.m.
The Rams haven’t won at Qwest Field since 2004. At least Josh Brown can’t beat
them with a last-second field goal.
Game 4 • Buffalo
Sun. Sept. 28 • KMOV (4) • 3:05 p.m.
The Bills haven’t visited St. Louis since ‘95, the inaugural year for the team
here. This may be the most winnable game for the Rams until November.
Game 5 • Washington
Sun. Oct. 12 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The Rams begin a stretch of 4 road games in 6 contests against another NFC East
foe. The “St. Louis” Rams have lost 5 of 7 against the ‘Skins.
Game 6 • Dallas
Sun. Oct. 19 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The potent Cowboys bring their traveling circus to town with Romo, TO, and
maybe even Pacman. This completes the Rams’ tour of the NFC East.
Game 7 • New England
Sun. Oct. 26 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Not since 2001 have these teams met in Foxborough. Hopefully, the Rams will
hold any Saturday walk-throughs in St. Louis — under strict security.
Game 8 • Arizona
Sun. Nov. 2 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Will Kurt Warner be starting for the Big Red at QB by now? And will he shred
the Rams as he did in the ’07 finale, a humiliating 48-19 loss for St. Louis?
Game 9 • NY Jets
Sun. Nov. 9 • KTVI (2) • Noon
This is one of the more winnable games of ’08. But how will those high-priced
Jets free agents be playing? What will the Rams’ injury list look like?
Game 10 • San Francisco
Sun. Nov. 16 • KTVI (2) • 3:05 p.m.
We’ll have to see it to believe it. Sometime in pregame warm-ups, Mike Martz
will chat up WR Isaac Bruce — and both will be wearing 49ers gear!
Game 11 • Chicago
Sun. Nov. 23 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The Bears seem to be very much in decline after their 2006 Super Bowl run. Memo
to Al Roberts: Don’t kick or punt the ball anywhere near Devin Hester.
Game 12 • Miami
Sun. Nov. 30 • KMOV (4) • Noon
Who will prove to be the turkey in this post-Thanksgiving clash? Bill Parcells
will be worth every cent if he has the ’Fins in playoff contention this late.
Game 13 • Arizona
Sun. Dec. 7 • KTVI (2) • 3:15 p.m.
Speaking of playoff contention, the Rams close the season with 3 of their last
4 contests against NFC West foes. Will it still matter on Pearl Harbor day?
Game 14 • Seattle
Sun., Dec 14 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Seattle could be closing in on its fifth straight NFC West crown. Once more,
with feeling: Josh Brown won’t beat the Rams with a last-second FG.
Game 15 • San Francisco
Sun., Dec 21 • KTVI (2) • Noon
The Rev. Ike returns to St. Louis. No matter what the score, regardless of the
game’s importance — or lack thereof — there will be chants of “BR-UUUU-CE!”
Game 16 • Atlanta
Sun. Dec. 28 • KTVI (2) • Noon
Were the schedule-makers saving the worst for last? These combatants were a
combined 7-25 in ’07. Will the finale have more at stake than draft position?