Rams Rerun Over Minnesota 48-17
By Rams Nation's Don Ackerman
Some of the damage by Saint Louis was self-inflicted and the turning point
of the game was Minnesota's failed fake field goal attempt. Down by only three,
Mad Mike (Tice, that is) decided 7 is better than tying the game. Living in
Minnesota, I can't help but know something about the home team. Before that
play, I said to my friend Tom - who hooked me up with tickets - I know one thing:
The Vikings will not fake the field goal. Truth be told, I know nothing as Mike Tice was willing to take 3 points off the board to get 7. I was shocked. Down
by three, I don't get the risk. If the game were tied, I understand going for
more. But down by three in a scorefest, it makes no sense to not put points
on the board.
Honestly, I wonder if Mike Tice got a hold of Mike Martz's playbook. The foiled
fourth-down attempt was the Vikings' death knell. Up by only three, the Rams
wasted no time and tacked 7 more on the board on a 5-play, 75-yard touchdown
drive. That put the Vikings down 10 again. The Rams never looked back.
D Steps Up
Like I said before, the defense stood out in this game. Leonard Little was
back. His fellow lineman opened up holes for himself and for Archuleta and Jackson
(Little had 4 sacks, Arch had 2 sacks, and Tyoka had 1 sack and 1 interception).
Daunte Culpepper never really had a chance to get a rhythm established. I was
amazed by their ferociousness and am very happy to see things coming together
late in the season. I hope to see more next Monday night in Cleveland on the
national stage.
Marc on the Mark
With such a defensive flurry, it's almost easy to overlook quarterback Marc Bulger. The focus of the spotlight while turning over the ball, Marc deserves
credit for putting together a great game with only one mistake. Marc completed
15 of 20 passes (75%) for 222 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception (his
one mistake). He looked poised and I even saw him throw the ball away. I wasn't
the only one to notice as the crowd cheered Marc throwing away the ball. Kyle Turley (Sports Illustrated's cover boy this week) said it best, he is our quarterback
so shut up.
Next Week
I'm not looking past Cleveland and I know the Rams won't either. (I love that,
by the way!) The Browns were whipped around in Seattle and lost 34-7. Now they
come home for a showdown at the Dog Pound. This game should be a great test
for the Rams. After all, they can't win on the road (they are only 3-3) and
can't win in bad weather (Rams are 2-0 including wins in rainy Pittsburgh and
Chicago). This game should prove the Rams are coming back.
ESPN Biased?
Being at the game, I was surprised when I had to wait quite a while to see
the game highlights. The talk Sunday was all about the great Philadelphia Eagles.
Why would ESPN favor the Eagles chatter over Rams talk? I don't care and I like
it that way. I am fine with the Rams going under the national media's radar.
From my point of view, talk Philly, Philly, Philly. Yes, Donovan McNabb is the
best QB ever and the Eagles should book their hotel rooms in Houston now! Yes,
talk about the Eagles. Let them enjoy the spotlight while the Rams put together
win after win after win. That's fine by me!
Ram on,
Don
Don, the Rams Nation columnist can be contacted at Don@RamsNation.org.