Rams @ Falcons

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20130915001&home=1&vis=14

 

(AP) -- Sam Bradford was well-protected in the St. Louis Rams' opener by an offensive line that included the newly acquired Jake Long.

 

The Atlanta Falcons may wish they had made a bid for Long as well.

 

Long and the Rams will get a look at a cornerstone of their past in Steven Jackson when they visit the Falcons on Sunday.

 

The Rams hadn't started with a win since 2006, and the delight they took in Sunday's 27-24 comeback victory over Arizona was obvious.

 

"Watching the game clock tick to zero, that's my most favorite part," coach Jeff Fisher said. "You know, we're really excited."

 

They haven't been 2-0 since winning the NFC championship in 2001.

 

The Rams are in position to equal that mark because their pass protection continued to trend upward last week. St. Louis gave up a league-worst 55 sacks in 2011 and 35 last season, then didn't allow any Sunday.

 

"I can't say enough about those guys up front," Bradford said. "They played outstanding, and I think it shows that we've taken leaps and bounds from where we were last year."

 

Long, the No. 1 overall pick by Miami in the 2008 draft, went to the Pro Bowl in his first four seasons but allowed a career-high seven sacks last year.

 

On Sunday, he was part of a unit that helped the Rams not allow a sack for the third straight game - the first time they've achieved that feat since 1973.

 

"Not that there's much carry-over from last year, but at least we're off to the right start," said Fisher, who said Bradford was hit just six times Sunday.

 

The Falcons wish they could say the same, as they allowed three sacks amid pressure that played a key role in their 23-17 loss to New Orleans last week.

 

Matt Ryan was forced to throw the ball away on a third-and-goal in the first quarter. He absorbed a 10-yard sack and an intentional grounding penalty to send the Falcons' promising final drive of the half to a premature end.

 

Ryan was hit on six other occasions.

 

"We don't want Matt to be under any pressure," center Peter Konz said. "We don't want anyone touching Matt, much less sacking him."

 

Some of these struggles are likely the result of the state of flux on the Falcons' offensive line. Left tackle Sam Baker and left guard Justin Blalock are the only holdovers from last year's starting unit, while Konz has shifted from guard to center to replace the retired Todd McClure.

 

Lamar Holmes made his first career start at right tackle Sunday, and Garrett Reynolds, with 14 starts since 2009, started at right guard.

 

"I'm absolutely confident we've got right guys," coach Mike Smith said. "The biggest jump you have during the season is always from Week 1 to Week 2. We're playing a lot of younger guys who have not played much. This was a great learning experience for them."

 

They'll get more such experience from a St. Louis team that led the NFC with 52 sacks last year. The Rams looked dangerous again in their opener, with Robert Quinn accounting for three of their four sacks.

 

St. Louis didn't run the ball particularly well in the first game of the post-Steven Jackson era, though, compiling 67 yards on 24 carries.

 

Jackson, who set the franchise record with 10,138 rushing yards over nine seasons, got off to a promising start in Atlanta with 11 rushes for 77 yards and five receptions for 45 yards. He did have a key drop on third-and-goal, however, with the Falcons looking to score a last-second touchdown.

 

On fourth down, Ryan's pass was tipped and intercepted to seal the defeat.

 

For St. Louis, Greg Zuerlein helped ensure the opposite ending with a 38-yard tying field goal and a 48-yard winner in the fourth quarter.

 

"Basically, I stay calm, swing like I know how and the rest takes care of itself," Zuerlein said. "I don't even know the distances when I go out there, to be honest. I just go out there and try to do my job."

 

Jared Cook, in his first game for the Rams after four seasons with Tennessee, overcame an early fumble to record a franchise-record 141 yards at the tight end position.

 

"I told him when we came back to the sideline, I said, 'Hey bro, be ready. It's coming right back to you,'" Bradford said. "It would have been easy for him to get down out there. He showed a ton of maturity and confidence."

 

Atlanta seeks to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2007.

 

[Dutch 874]

I think this is a pretty important game for the Falcons. I don't think they can afford to go 0-2 here. The Rams also aren't pushovers and I believe can be a trap game for some teams out there. I'm not sure how efficient the Falcons will be without Roddy White; their best WR. Roddy might be out for a few weeks so we will should get a good sample size. Furthermore, this will be a huge test for Julio to be the #1 WR while Roddy is out. Yes, we all know he's a talented play maker but he hasn't had to carry the receiver corps because he's always had Roddy (unlike A.J Green). Julio will see more double coverages and receive much more attention from defenses so it will be interesting to see how he responds. Also, the Falcons offensive line appears to be having a little trouble and the Rams lead the league in sacks last year so that will be an important matchup to keep an eye on. With all that said though, I'm going to roll with the Falcons but this could be a potential upset.

 

24

 

20

Edited September 13, 2013 by dutchff7

[housemd 338]

19

28

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

I got the Rams in this one

 

24

19

[RazorStar 4,025]

Rams have to show they can play well outside their division as well. This is gonna be a tight game if the Rams do show up though, the talent difference isn't that disparaging right now.

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

I love my Falcons, but I'm not so hot on this game. Our offensive line looked great in the first half, but terrible in the 2nd last week. We are going into this weekend with an offensive line that is seeing injuries. 3 of our 5 starting lineman actually missed practice time this week due to injuries. Lamar Holmes, our current inexperienced starting right tackle, has taken reps at left tackle for injured Sam Baker all week long. There hasn't been any word on whether or not Baker will play this weekend against the Rams. If Baker sits, the staff will play Holmes at LT (his natural position) and Jeremy Trueblood, a FA pickup LAST WEEK, at right tackle.

 

This isn't to mention that Roddy White (high ankle sprain) sat out of practice all week, and Julio Jones missed 2 days of practice with an undisclosed knee injury (not thought to be too serious, just precautionary). We could see Roddy White miss the first game of his career. If that's the case, Harry Douglas will take the start and probably do decent with the opportunity.

 

The Rams have a great front 7, this could spell trouble for the Falcons. Atlanta needs to bank on Steven Jackson having an absolute monster game against his prior team this weekend. If the Falcons can't run the ball, I don't see them winning this game. While we can probably put the Rams offense to rest, it's their defense that will cause us trouble. This game will probably be a lot closer than what most people are going to give the Rams credit for. Although there are a lot of aspects that really scare me off from picking the Falcons this week, I've still got them winning this one in a tight battle.

 

Falcons 28

Rams 24

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

^Yep, S-Jax is the key to the game. If Rams limit him I think they win.

[NFL-Lady 1]

FALCONS win this one...

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Don't like this matchup at all. Won't be surprised to see us go 0-2

[Thanatos 2,847]

St. Louis can easily take this game, but I expect Atlanta to do so.

 

23

27

[southgadawg 52]

Falcons have the potential to start off the season exceptionally poorly. Injuries to the offensive line and young players having to step up isn't a great formula for success. I had correctly picked the Falcons to lose in the first game against the Saints but I think someway they pull this game out at home....but it won't be easy.

 

Rams 24

Falcons 31

[theMileHighGuy 656]

27

21

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

Wow, lots of people are high on the Rams in this game. The Falcons are a great home team. Very tough to beat them in the dome during the regular season. Definitely don't think the Rams are good enough to do it.

[Dutch 874]

I'm not sleeping on the Rams this year. Falcons are struggling with the o-line injuries and the Rams lead the league in sacks last year. Not sure if Roddy is going to play and they looked a little different with him not playing at 100%. I expect the Falcons to win but wouldn't be surprised if the Rams won.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/379190117732462592

[Dutch 874]

Oh wow... Think I might change my pick em now lol.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Oh wow... Think I might change my pick em now lol.

 

Cortland Finnigan and Janoris Jenkins are more than ready to give the hobbled White and Jones fits.

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

Jones isn't necessarily hobbled. Roddy White is though. Julio Jones was kept out of practice as a precaution. He landed on his knee awkward last week about halfway through the game, yet still played great the rest of the game. Smith and Company do a good job at protecting our guys from injuries becoming nagging problems. White is probably going to play, but he'll be limited like last week.

 

So Rams fans, do we see Finnegan on whatever side that Roddy/Douglas combination is playing, or do we see Finnegan try to blanket Julio Jones all day.

 

I'd also like to add, the reason I think this game will be close has nothing to do with that Rams offense against the Falcons defense. It has everything to do with that Rams defense and the injuries we are facing at the moment.

Edited September 15, 2013 by Rain Man

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Rams declared RB Zac Stacy, S Darian Stewart, CB Quinton Pointer, G Shelley Smith, G/C Barrett Jones, G Brandon Washington, and DE Gerald Rivers inactive for Sunday's Week 2 tilt versus Atlanta.

With Isaiah Pead back from suspension, Stacy will wear street clothes. Benny Cunningham is the No. 3 running back and helps out on special teams. Stewart has a thigh injury.

LE Chris Long (hip) is active.

 

 

 

 

Falcons declared RB Josh Vaughan, S Kemal Ishmael, S Zeke Motta, G Harland Gunn, T Ryan Schraeder, DT Travian Robertson, and DE Stansly Maponga inactive for Sunday's Week 2 game against the Rams.

Maponga, Schraeder, Ishmael, and Motta are all rookies. Roddy White (ankle) and Julio Jones (knee) are both active.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Changed my pick on this one. Hope the Rams don't screw me... but they will, because Jeff Fisher is a turd.

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

LOL at everyone being so high on the Rams.

[RazorStar 4,025]

So the Rams still don't show up outside of division games...

[Bay 2,003]

Falcons can make any good D look like this. Also the Rams O gave up at least 7 of these points. Rams O isn't that good, lol.

[housemd 338]

Falcons are a very good team but they really need to learn how to not blow a huge lead.

[southgadawg 52]

Falcons have the potential to start off the season exceptionally poorly. Injuries to the offensive line and young players having to step up isn't a great formula for success. I had correctly picked the Falcons to lose in the first game against the Saints but I think someway they pull this game out at home....but it won't be easy.

 

Rams 24

Falcons 31

LOL I even got the final score right. TBH I was impressed about a lot of things I saw from the Falcons today. The defense looked good at times, especially the young secondary that played without Asante for the most part. The pass rush didn't look exceptionally well although they did get pressure at critical times (Biermann getting injured didn't help). The offense was missing several key components. I am worried about the injuries to several key people. But nice to see the younger players and back-ups step up at critical times. Depth and LUCK go a long way in an NFL season.

Falcons are a very good team but they really need to learn how to not blow a huge lead.

I love Mike Smith as a coach EXCEPT the fact that his teams have shown for a long time if they get a big lead they go too conservative and it comes back too often to bite them in the butt.