MNF Cheat Sheet

[wayne1218]

Good Morning. I thought i would put a few things together in one thread for tonight's game without all the Service "HYPE" involved.

People on the fence might be helped here.

GL Brother!

[Art Vandelay]

Wayne, great stuff - appreciate it. Looks like the over is getting some play with most of the writeups.

[rwall]

October 17, 2004
By Jimmy Sirody,
Don Best senior writerThough the St. Louis Cardinals have received most of the attention from Missouri sports fans, the Rams served notice they may also be of championship caliber with last week’s stirring come-from-behind win against Seattle.
Coach Mike Martz' offense received most of the kudos for a fourth quarter comeback that erased a 27-10 deficit. But it was St. Louis' maligned defense that really turned the tide.

The Rams look to avoid a letdown when they host downtrodden Tampa Bay at the Edward Jones Dome. Martz won't have to remind his troops they have lost three straight Monday night games against the Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay has fallen on hard times since winning the Super Bowl two years ago, finishing 7-9 last season and dropping four of its first this year. But the club still has one of the league’s best pass defenses.

Although the Buccaneers have been susceptible to the run, they appear to be as stingy as ever defending the pass. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of only 69.8, and are completing less than half their passes (49.5).

Tampa Bay limited Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks to a career-low 106 passing yards last week in New Orleans. That's the same Aaron Brooks that shredded the St. Louis defense for 316 yards and a touchdown two weeks earlier.

The Rams' defense, at the bottom of the NFL in yardage allowed, is 28th against the pass and 29th against the run. Martz is hoping his stop-unit came of age in the second half against Seattle when it allowed just 85 yards after being gashed for 306 in the initial 30 minutes.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden will be starting his third quarterback in as many games. Brian Griese, who relieved injured starter Chris Simms against the Saints, hit 16-of-19 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown to spark a 20-17 victory.

The Bucs are a desperate football team. However, if they can upset St. Louis, they do have two very winnable games upcoming at home against Chicago and Kansas City. Climbing back to .500 after such a sorry start would provide momentum for the second half.

Tampa Bay is getting better on offense despite the unsettled situation at quarterback. Rookie Michael Clayton is a viable deep threat and running back Michael Pittman has provided a spark since returning from a three-game suspension.

The Buccaneers beat the Saints because they gained positive yardage on first down and stayed out of blitz situations. They will attempt to do the same at St. Louis.

Martz surprised his critics two weeks ago when he slowed his frenetic attack and let the Rams run the ball against San Francisco. Look for him to return to those pages in his playbook against a Tampa Bay defense that ranks 24th against the run.

Stephen Jackson has shown the ability to make big plays, and the Bucs defense has allowed 4.2 yards per carry. Tampa Bay opponents have also rushed for at least 145 yards in three games this season.

The Rams were 6-2-1 SU at home last season, but they have come up short in their first two chances this season. St. Louis has cashed three straight on Monday night. Tampa Bay has 'covered' five straight versus the Rams.

Most offshore books opened the Rams as six-point favorites, with the total set at 41.