2011 NFL Predictions: How Will St. Louis Rams' First Half of Schedule Play Out?

Looking ahead to the 2011 regular season, it appears the Rams will have one of the tougher first halves to the season.

The Rams have made many moves through the draft and free agency to become a better team, but there is a good chance it won't necessarily show right away. St. Louis opens the season with the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by the New York Giants and the Baltimore Ravens. Those teams combined for a 32-16 record in 2010.

The Rams are going to be tested very early in the season, and it'll be very interesting to see how this young team responds. Sam Bradford showed his toughness a season ago, and he will have to show more of the same this season if the Rams want to be in the playoffs.

The predictions that you'll see reflect the additions that both teams have made so far this season and assume that each roster is at full strength. A lot can still change between now and the regular season, but this is how I currently see the Rams' first eight games playing out.

Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the Rams open up their season against what is now arguably the best team in the NFL in the Philadelphia Eagles.

This is a game that could either turn ugly quick or be a lot closer than most people think. I'm going to go with the latter of the two. In the first game of the season, there are a lot of nerves for everybody out there on the field. Throw in the fact that both teams are still running on a shortened offseason and are trying to get all of their players acclimated.

With that said, I believe that both teams will make careless mistakes that lead to turnovers and sacks. The Rams have made major strides on both sides of the ball, but in the end I believe the team with the more explosive offense wins out. Once the Eagles begin to gain a lead and the Rams are forced to air it out, I just don't see the Rams' receiving corps getting loose of the trio of Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Prediction: Eagles win 24-13

Rams Record: 0-1 

Monday, Sept. 19 @ New York Giants

This game will be the first time the St. Louis Rams are on Monday Night Football since 2006. You better believe the Rams will be out to prove themselves in this game.

On paper, most people would look at this game and say the Giants are going to win. They have a top-flight receiver in Hakeem Nicks, a very good running back tandem, a historically good defense and what is likely to be a sold-out stadium on top of that.

However, I believe the Rams will steal this game for a number of reasons. Reason No. 1: every opposing team's best friend, Eli Manning. The Rams have the types of guys now in Chris Long, James Hall and Robert Quinn to get after Manning. Manning threw 25 interceptions last year, and I believe he will throw two in this game.

Reason No. 2: The Giants defense has already lost one stud lineman in Barry Cofield and could easily have to trade Osi Umenyiora before the season starts.

Reason No. 3: The Giants are a team that is under a lot of pressure right now. Their coach Tom Coughlin is on the hot seat, and they need to win for him. Under the lights with millions watching, how will the Giants respond? My guess is not too well.

Prediction: Rams win 27-21

Rams Record: 1-1

Sunday, Sept. 25 vs. Baltimore Ravens

Coming off two tough, close, emotional games, the Rams then have to come back home and play a favorite to win the AFC in the Baltimore Ravens.

This game doesn't project too well given the shortened week and the fact that the Ravens will be coming off what should be an easy win over the Tennessee Titans. The Rams will once again be facing one of the league's best defenses, which is a recurring theme in these first three games.

If the Rams are going to win this game, they are going to need a big game from Sam Bradford. The position where the Ravens are most suspect is at cornerback. Bradford will need to be on top of his game because you can't expect a whole lot running the ball against Baltimore.

This game could be close if the Ravens are looking ahead to their Sunday night game against the New York Jets, but I don't see that happening. The Ravens are a veteran organization playing a young Ram team on a short week. This is a minor setback for the Rams as the Ravens cruise to a W.

Prediction: Ravens win 34-17

Rams Record: 1-2 

Sunday, Oct. 2 vs. Washington Redskins

Finally, an easier game for the Rams. All signs point to the Rams being able to win this game handily against the Washington Redskins.

They will be at home for the third time in four weeks, which is always a plus for a team that needs confidence. Sam Bradford will have the crowd behind him, so even if he makes mistakes, he won't feel the pressure that he would on the road.

The Redskins will come into this game on a short week after playing their division rival Cowboys in Arlington on Monday Night Football. The Skins will more than likely be both physically and emotionally exhausted after that game.

The most important reason to believe the Rams will roll right over the Skins is the fact that, as of now, either John Beck or Rex Grossman will be starting. That is something Steve Spagnuolo will be licking his chops for.

Prediction: Rams win 31-9

Rams Record: 2-2

Sunday, Oct. 16 @ Green Bay

The St. Louis Rams should be very thankful to have a bye week before traveling to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers.

This is a matchup nightmare for the Rams. After Ron Bartell and Bradley Fletcher, the cornerback position is very gray for St. Louis. The Packers, who will spread the field with four receivers and an athletic tight end in Jermichael Finley, are going to be very tough for the Rams to stop.

The hope is that by this point in the season Robert Quinn has developed into the pass rusher many expect him to be and he can pressure Aaron Rodgers.

On the other side of the ball, expect a heavy dose of Steven Jackson because the Packers have arguably the best secondary in the league. They boast two lockdown corners in Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams, and they have Atari Bigby and Nick Collins covering their backs. The Packers ranked 18th in run defense last season, so Jackson will have to run like a man possessed.

In the end, the Packers have too much talent for the Rams to compete.

Prediction: Packers win 38-14

Rams Record: 2-3

Sunday, Oct. 23 @ Dallas Cowboys

At first glance, you may look at this game and say, "Yikes!" However, if you look deeper, this is a very winnable game for the Rams.

The Dallas Cowboys are a team that has lost guys like Marc Colombo, Leonard Davis, Roy Williams and Marion Barber without really adding any new players. The Cowboys had one of the worst pass defenses in the league a year ago, and they have done little to nothing to improve on it.

The Rams, on the other hand, have added Mike Sims-Walker at receiver and Harvey Dahl at guard, improving their ability to pass the ball. Add in the fact that Steven Jackson is still a very capable receiver out of the backfield, and this has the makings of a big game for Sam Bradford.

I think this game will be a tight, high-scoring game, but in the end DeMarcus Ware comes up with a game-changing play to turn the tide in the Cowboys' favor.

Prediction: Cowboys win 37-31

Rams Record: 2-4 

Sunday, Oct. 30 vs. New Orleans Saints

At this point in the season, the Rams will have seen most of the league's premier teams, and that won't stop as the New Orleans Saints come to town.

This is a game that is very similar to the Green Bay game. The Saints have more capable options than the Rams have capable defenders. The hope on the Rams' side of the ball is that they see the 2010 version of Drew Brees that threw 22 interceptions.

The Rams will have to focus on running the ball and clock management if they want to win this game. The Saints added Fabian Washington to a defense that finished fourth in passing defense just a season ago. The were right in the middle of the pack at 16th as far as rushing defense, and they haven't made any additions to better their run defense.

I'm sure most fans remember when we had our hearts broken in '09, when the 1-7 Rams were ever so close to knocking off the big dog Saints only to lose 28-23. I don't know if this will be as crushing, but the odds favor the New Orleans Saints.

Prediction: Saints win 31-20

Rams Record: 2-5 

Sunday, Nov. 6 @ Arizona Cardinals

Around this point in the season is when I expect the critics to start chirping. All of the "experts" will be saying, "The Rams were over-hyped this season. They shouldn't have been the favorites in the NFC West." I believe the Rams will shut up the critics in Phoenix.

Coming into the game against the rival Arizona Cardinals at 2-5, the Rams will show their ever increasing maturity. The Cardinals will be relying on a backfield tandem of Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams and the passing connection of Kevin Kolb to Larry Fitzgerald. The Rams defense has gotten better the past two seasons and will dominate the Cardinals at the point of attack.

Offensively, the Rams will have a tough task going up against a very good Cardinals defense that has only gotten better with the additions of Stewart Bradley and Richard Marshall. As we saw a season ago with the Cards, their offense will put the defense in bad positions, and the Rams will take full advantage.

Prediction: Rams win 34-10

Rams Record: 3-5

Overview

I don't expect the Rams' record after the first eight games to be anything worth noting. They have one of the toughest non-division schedules of any of the 31 other NFL teams.

Rams fans should be excited after the first half, however. If the Rams are in fact sitting at 3-5 going into the second half of the season, then they are in a good position to win the division.

After they play the Cards, the Rams play at Cleveland, home against Seattle and home against Arizona. All three of those games are very winnable and would push the Rams above .500.

The following five games are against San Francisco (twice), Cincinnati, Seattle and Pittsburgh. The Rams must win two or three of these games if they expect to win the division.

The way the season shapes up according to these predictions would leave the Rams at either 8-8 or 9-7 and potentially in the playoffs. How do you think the season will shape up for the Rams?