The people in Vegas have Sunday's game against the Colts as huge of a mismatch as you will usually see a line in the NFL for a road team. The Indianapolis Colts are 13 point favorites and as large as that spread seems to be it seems like the Rams would be lucky to be that close at the end of the game. These are two teams at the exact opposite ends of the spectrum. The Colts are undefeated and look like a
serious threat to return to the Super Bowl. The Rams are winless and look like a threat to return to the Super Bowl.....in 2025. Here is a preview of the Rams/Colts game this Sunday.....
When the Rams have the ball
I don't think it can be said enough, because apparently it was forgotten about by the Rams on Sunday in Jacksonville. You HAVE to get the ball to Steven Jackson as many times as you possibly can. That is the only possible way the Rams are going to beat anyone this year. The Colts defense is below average, surrendering almost 125 yards per game. The upside for the Colts is they are likely going to get their all-world safety back in Bob Sanders. He singleness changes the Colts look on defense. Alex Barron will have a difficult afternoon lining up against Dwight Freeney. With the Rams wide receiver situation being what it is you can't expect a huge afternoon from Marc Bulger. That being said the Colts are 28th against the pass so there might be a chance that you can get one deep if the offensive line can slow down the Colts pass rush.
When the Colts have the ball
Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning. It all begins and ends with the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He has been as good as ever this season and coming off of a bye week and facing a defense that gave up over 300 yards to David Garrard last week expect Manning to light up the Rams. The one thing that the Colts don't do well is run the football. They are dead
last averaging only 63 yards a game on the ground from Joseph Addai. I am sure the Rams will be running lots of nickel which means a mix and match of Justin King, Bradley Fletcher and Jonathon Wade trying to slow the Colts down. It could be a long afternoon. The Rams are also starting Paris Lenon and Larry Grant at linebacker so expect a big afternoon from tight end Dallas Clark exploiting the new weakness with the trade of Will Witherspoon.
Special Teams
The one area where the Rams have an advantage is in the kicking game. The Colts are without Adam Vinatieri and will go with former Baltimore Ravens kicker Matt Stover this Sunday. Pat McAfee punts for the Colts but has not had a lot of chances considering all the scoring the Colts do. In the return game the Chad Simpson has not been much of a threat for the Colts and in punt returns T.J. Rushing has also not been much of a factor. The Rams have shown some life in the return game with Danny Amendola. One concern though has been with punter Donnie Jones. He has suddenly lost his game the past couple of weeks. We'll see if he improves this week against the Colts.
Prediction
I felt like the Rams had a chance last week against the Jaguars. This week I feel like they have absolutely zero chance of a win. They are clearly outclassed in this one. On the upside it will give Rams fans a taste of what a good offense looks like. It has been a long time since we have seen this type of firepower. A complete mismatch....Colts 42 Rams 10.
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