A year ago to this day (April 26, 2010), one of my columns was posted on the now-defunct Globe-Democrat website. I predicted the St. Louis Rams would go 8-8, and there would be talk of the playoffs. Many a pundit laughed in my face; I was ridiculed nationally on at least two websites. Well, the Rams went 7-9 and would have reached an 8-8 mark and the NFC playoffs with a win over the Seattle Seahawks in the season finale.
The Rams' 2011 schedule is out and—once again—I'm way more optimistic than most fans and media members. Here's my game-by-game prediction of how this season will play out:
Sept. 11: Philadelphia— Every Missouri legislator that voted to overturn Prop. B should be cheering for Michael Vick. The Rams start the season with an upset. (1-0)
Sept. 19: @ New York Giants— Coach Steve Spagnuola used to run the Giants' defense, and it’s a return to Monday Night Football. Rams hang tough, but lose. (1-1)
Sept. 25: Baltimore— Why does everyone think this is a sure loss? The Ravens are great on defense, but so-so on offense. The Rams remain undefeated at home. (2-1)
Oct. 2: Washington— The Rams could fall into a trap here. But they won't. (3-1)
Oct.16: @ Green Bay— The bye week won't help. The Rams lose at Lambeau. (3-2)
Oct. 23: @ Dallas— Yes, I'm a Cowboys fan of 43 years. No, that's not why I predict a Rams' loss. (3-3)
Oct. 30: New Orleans— Another home upset? Nope. The Rams fall under .500. (3-4)
Nov. 6: @ Arizona— Eight games into the season, the Rams finally play an NFC West opponent—and win. (4-4)
Nov. 13: @ Cleveland— Besides the fact that the team's traveling to Cleveland, this will be a good weekend for the Rams. (5-4)
Nov. 20: Seattle— The Rams run onto the field as James Brown's "The Payback" thunders. The Rams win easily. (6-4)
Nov. 27: Arizona— There is no reason the Rams should lose this game. (7-4)
Dec. 4: @ San Francisco— There is no reason the Rams should lose this game—but they will. (7-5)
Dec. 12: @ Seattle— Why is this game on Monday night? With the Seahawks and Seattle crowd fired up, the Rams lose. (7-6)
Dec. 18: Cincinnati— The Rams are guaranteed at least a .500 season with a win. (8-6)
Dec. 24: @ Pittsburgh— Brutal cold, brutal defense, brutal turf. The Rams can't overcome all of that. (8-7)
Jan. 1: San Francisco— A New Year's Day battle for the conference crown. This time, the Rams win when it counts and reach the playoffs. (9-7)
There you have it. Sound crazy? Just wait and see.
Commentary By Alvin Reid
