YTD Record 0-0
Denver -3.5 4 units
Shanahan vs Linehan play. Rams 1st team had an awful time against the zone blocking run game of Houston in the preseason, even though Davis didnt play. Rams secondary will also have fits against the Denver WRs...especially in nickel situations- when the rookie Hill will come in and play the outside- matching him up with Smith/Walker. Shanahan shouldnt have a problem exploiting this mismatch. Also, I just can't see the rams getting much of a pass rush against a healthy Denver oline, which would be there only hope to stopping the denver offense. Hasletts plan will be his usual, probably consisting of blitzing mercilessly to get Plummer off of his game, but in NO he had that annoying habit of usually blitzing the wrong side of the line...and the Den RBs will burn him if he does.
Meanwhile, Linehan will be preoccupied with calling the plays during his first game as head coach. He's going to have to face some of the most active LBs in the NFL with a rookie TE whos blocking has been inconsistent. His gameplan will probably be to quick-hit run up the gut..but he doesnt have the arsenal for that. The center will be seeing his first action, the guards are both past their prime, and Jackson has had a case of the happy feet all preseason. And Bailey will nullify Holt, who's not 100%.
Basically what I'm saying is that this is a tough tough matchup for a first time head coach...Rams will have to play few penalties- turnover free football to have a chance here. Cant see that happening first game of the year.
Denver -3.5 4 units
Shanahan vs Linehan play. Rams 1st team had an awful time against the zone blocking run game of Houston in the preseason, even though Davis didnt play. Rams secondary will also have fits against the Denver WRs...especially in nickel situations- when the rookie Hill will come in and play the outside- matching him up with Smith/Walker. Shanahan shouldnt have a problem exploiting this mismatch. Also, I just can't see the rams getting much of a pass rush against a healthy Denver oline, which would be there only hope to stopping the denver offense. Hasletts plan will be his usual, probably consisting of blitzing mercilessly to get Plummer off of his game, but in NO he had that annoying habit of usually blitzing the wrong side of the line...and the Den RBs will burn him if he does.
Meanwhile, Linehan will be preoccupied with calling the plays during his first game as head coach. He's going to have to face some of the most active LBs in the NFL with a rookie TE whos blocking has been inconsistent. His gameplan will probably be to quick-hit run up the gut..but he doesnt have the arsenal for that. The center will be seeing his first action, the guards are both past their prime, and Jackson has had a case of the happy feet all preseason. And Bailey will nullify Holt, who's not 100%.
Basically what I'm saying is that this is a tough tough matchup for a first time head coach...Rams will have to play few penalties- turnover free football to have a chance here. Cant see that happening first game of the year.
