St. Louis Rams

After going 8-8 in their first season under new head coach Scott Linehan in 2006, the St Louis Rams appeared to be back on track, and ready to contend again in the NFC West. Little did we know how quickly the situation would head south with this team as a football betting proposition.

St. Louis began 2007 with eight straight losses, leading to a disastrous 3-13 campaign. Injuries to QB Marc Bulger and RB Steven Jackson played a key part in the Rams' demise, but there was more to it than that. This team gave up late last year, losing its last three games by 19, 17 and 29 points, and that does not bode well going into this season.

St. Louis struggled statistically last year, ranking 24th in total offense at 298 YPG, just 25th in rushing at 95 YPG, 21st in total defense at 341 YPG and 20th vs. the run at 115 YPG. Add it up, and the Rams ranked 25th in the league in total yardage at -43 YPG.

Accordingly, St. Louis was one of the worst teams in the league to risk money on, going 5-11 vs. the NFL betting lines, and just 1-4 ATS as home dogs. Also, the totals went 7-9 in Rams games last year, which averaged 44 total points, despite the fact that only one other team in the league allowed more points.

Over the offseason, St. Louis brought in some veteran talent such as K Josh Brown and OG Jacob Bell, and they let the formerly great WR Isaac Bruce go. The Rams also added DE Chris Long with the second overall pick in the draft. Bulger, if healthy, can still be effective throwing downfield. And Jackson, if healthy, can be a force out of the backfield. But this team has a lot of question marks, especially along the offensive line and on defense.

If their key offensive threats can stay on the field, rather than in the trainer's room, and if the defense can improve upon the 27 points per game it allowed last year, St. Louis could give .500 a run in a weak NFC West. But if the Rams don't get out of the gate with some bounce in their step, and grab some early wins, they could end up tanking again and Linehan might find himself unemployed before the end of the season.

St. Louis hasn't posted a winning record since 2003, and they probably won't again this year, either.