It doesn’t seem all that long ago when the Rams-49ers games actually meant something, and while I don’t expect to spend my Sunday afternoon watching this sleeper, there are actually some interesting story lines in this weekend’s game as the Rams will wrap up their miserable season this Sunday when they host San Francisco.
For starters, Isaac Bruce will be back in the dome. He’s played with the 49ers this season and this could be his last NFL game. It’s only fitting it plays out in St. Louis where Bruce was a part of the Greatest Show on Turf. The Rams also expect running back Steven Jackson to play. He missed last week with a herniated disk in his back, but won’t need surgery and can’t do further damage. Jackson is second in the NFL with 1,353 yards rushing on a team that is average just 11 points a game…last in the NFL.
Now, given the Colts tanked in their game on Sunday against the Jets and were not worried about going 15-0 with a chance to finish the regular season undefeated, I think the Rams need to take the same approach this week against SF. Sit Jackson and continue to start Keith Null, a rookie at QB and take the loss, finish 1-15 and get the number one draft pick in April…a.k.a Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska.
Why should the Rams try to win? Teams always talk about building for next season. What better way to build for next season then to lay a big ole egg this Sunday? Here’s how the scenario plays out. The Lions are 2-14 and host Chicago. If they lose and the Rams beat the Niners, it will come down to strength of schedule which at this point, the Lions have a two game edge on St. Louis.
Head Coach Steve Spagnoulo says he’s coaching this team to win. I hope he’s just saying what he thinks he needs to say. Spags should have started this week’s press conference by saying, “As we prepare for San Francisco this week, I want everyone to know, the Rams are officially on the clock.”