Sunday, September 7, 2014

Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

If there was ever a team in the National Football League that needed their luck changed, it would be the St. Louis Rams. They will look to reverse their recent misfortunes in 2014 and it all begins with their week 1 home game against the Minnesota Vikings from the Edward Jones Dome.

The Rams will look to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2004 when they were knocked out of the playoffs in the Divisional Round by the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback play was always a problem for the team, which is why they used the first overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft to select Sam Bradford from Oklahoma. With high hopes, the team has seen Bradford struggle to even stay on the field because of injury and will again be without him after he suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entire season. The team will rely on Shaun Hill at quarterback for the season and the week 1 game against the Vikings. Also expected to lead the Rams this season include running back Zac Stacy, wide receiver Kenny Britt, and tight end Jared Cook.

For the Vikings, 2014 is shaping up to be a memorable season. The team added a potential franchise quarterback during the draft when they selected Teddy Bridgewater from Louisville with the 32nd overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. Along with Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson and talented wide receivers Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson, the Vikings now have an offense that will make fans quickly forget about the days of Joe Webb. However, Christian Ponder will start week 1 against the Rams. Defensively, the Vikings now have some talent with rookie linebacker Anthony Barr, Captain Munnerlyn, and Harrison Smith. 

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota Vikings

08/30/14 S Jamarca Sanford Undisclosed IR
08/19/14 WR Jerome Simpson Suspension expected to miss weeks 1-3 of the regular season

St Louis Rams

08/25/14 QB Shaun Hill None expected to start Sunday vs. Minnesota
08/24/14 QB Sam Bradford Knee out for season
08/24/14 CB Trumaine Johnson Knee out indefinitely
08/19/14 G Barrett Jones Back out indefinitely
08/17/14 RB Isaiah Pead ACL out for season
07/27/14 WR Stedman Bailey Suspension expected to miss weeks 1-5 of regular season

Josh's Pick: Take St. Louis

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald