JD's Keys Week 11; Rams v. 49ers; The Toilet Bowl

Key #1 - Linebackers-Turned-Coaches Square Off. Two interim, fiercly passionate, ex-NFL linebackers will be coaching the St. Louis Rams and San Francisco 49ers in today's game. Jim Haslett of the Rams has not dropped his pants in a motivational ploy, a la Mike Singletary of the 49ers, but both coaches are similar in that they bring their former styles of play into their positions as head coaches. Haslett and Singletary have both sparked their respective teams at times and it will be interesting to see how this matchup plays out on the field. Key #2 - Playing to Get out of Last Place. The Rams, 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks are all stuck in first gear, that is, if their proverbial cars have even started. All three teams are tied for last place in the NFC West at 2-7. With Seattle playing the first place Arizona Cardinals today, they are probably looking to drop to 2-8, as will the loser of the contest between these rivals. The 49ers have lost six games in a row while the Rams are attempting to avoid their second four game losing streak of this season. One would hope that both teams would show up to play with intensity today, but clearly there have been other "must win" situations this season when neither team was able to step up to the plate. Key #3 - Rekindling a Rivalry? The series between the Rams and the 49ers has been a bit of a see- saw in the time that the Rams have been in St. Louis. Since the 2002 season, the series is even at six games apiece. Both teams have gone through stretches of greatness in the last ten seasons or so with the 49ers coming down from their dynasty years, but still playing very well and of course the Rams having their Greatest Show on Turf period. However, these days, both teams are pretty mediocre which could actually make for a very exciting couple of games between the two this season. To add a little spice to the rivalry, the Rams will be facing Mike Martz, the architect of their Super Bowl championship season, who has landed as the offensive coordinator of the 49ers. The Rams will also have to contend with a somewhat rejuvenated Issac Bruce who the Rams believed to have lost his effectiveness in this league. Bruce is hardly the vindictive type, but it will be intriguing to see how he handles playing against the team that he called his own for so many years. Steven Jackson is still injured; so is Tye Hill. The Rams have to deal with trying to stop Frank Gore just a week after Thomas Jones of the Jets absolutely gouged the Rams defense. The Jets are certainly more talented all around than the 49ers, but I suspect that the 49ers will still give the Rams all they can handle today. If the Rams can use the short pass to set up the deeper passing game and really utilize Torry Holt and Donnie Avery they might stand a chance in San Francisco, but if not, today's contest will be just as long for the Rams as last weeks, not quite as painful on the scoreboard, but not a pleasant outing if they cannot establish any sort of rhythm on offense. My Prediction: Rams 17 - 49ers 31