NFL Power Rankings 2011: St. Louis Rams Destined for Immediate Rise in Rankings

The St. Louis Rams have been listed in various power rankings as a middling club. They have been playing as anything but a middle of the pack team. The start of the season will prove as much. 

ESPN has the Rams as smack dab in the middle of the pack at 15, and we agree in our ranking assessment. It is hard to erase the memory of a dismal 2010 campaign.

This is the same team that could not usurp the Seattle Seahawks in the most dreadful of conferences. Things are looking up though. Seasons are not won and lost before September, but we can't ignore the perfect 4-0 the Rams have gone in the preseason.

The brightest part of the refreshed Rams is their defensive line. Chris Long and Robert Quinn are looking very spry on the wings, putting immense pressure on team's to protect their quarterbacks.

That proved vital in their last effort against David Garrard and the Jacksonville Jaguars. It will also be the reason the Rams give fits to the Eagles and Giants when they open the season.

The Eagles come to St. Louis looking for a sure win, and they might just get it. I won't go so far as to call this a trap game, but the Rams will surprise with a tighter contest than we will give them credit for. 

The upset I have my eye on is against the New York Giants in Week 2. The Rams will be sized and measured against the Eagles, and will employ the instant maturation on the Giants. 

Eli Manning will be under pressure all game, and the Giants will struggle to keep him upright. That will allow the best part of their game to take over—the offense. 

Sam Bradford commanded a fantastic rookie season with little to no trustworthy receivers. He now has Danny Amendola along with a healthy Donnie Avery to target. The acquisition of Mike Sims-Walker will be key to stretch the field.

The Rams are no longer the Lambs, and we will get proof as soon as Week 1 gets under way.  

   

2011 NFL Power Rankings
1.Green Bay Packers
2.New England Patriots
3.Philadelphia Eagles
4.New York Jets
5.Pittsburgh Steelers
6.Atlanta Falcons
7.New Orleans Saints
8.Indianapolis Colts
9.San Diego Chargers
10.Baltimore Ravens
11.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12.Arizona Cardinals
13.Houston Texans
14.Kansas City Chiefs
15.St. Louis Rams
16.Dallas Cowboys
17.New York Giants
18.Chicago Bears
19.Seattle Seahawks
20.Detroit Lions
21.Denver Broncos
22.Oakland Raiders
23.Minnesota Vikings
24.Jacksonville Jaguars
25.Cleveland Browns
26.San Francisco 49ers
27.Tennessee Titans
28.Cincinnati Bengals
29.Carolina Panthers
30.Buffalo Bills
31.Miami Dolphins
32.Washington Redskins