(Sam Bradford prepares to make a throw for the St Louis Rams)
The St Louis Rams have to be considered as genuine contenders for a playoff contenders this year being in the weak NFC West Division, last year the Seahawks won the division, becoming the first team to ever win a division without a winning record. Of course thanks to St Louis's abysmal record throught the last part of the last decade (just 6 wins from 48 games through 2007-09!) they have been able to have high draft picks & assemble what is clearly a talented squad, although somewhat lacking in experience. Quarterback Sam Bradford was the first overall pick in the 2010 draft & looks wholly worthy of that elevated position, being voted offensive rookie of the year in 2010, throwing for over 3,500 yards & 18 touchdowns even though he was joint 5th most sacked passer in the league. If the Rams can keep Bradford better protected he should be able to put up some big numbers against the Giants lacklustre defensive backs,he's expected to play after suffering an injury to his right index finger last week. Running back Steven Jackson & lead receiver Danny Amendola are more unlikely not to start, although Cadillac Williams did a passable job rushing the ball last week & the Rams don't really have any star receivers with the ball being spread between the wide outs which should limit the impact of Amendola's loss.
The Giants allowed Rex Grossman to throw for over 300 yards last week against the Redskins but they did manage 4 sacks with Jason Pierre-Paul getting himself a couple, sack machine Justin Tuck may be back in the team & New York will certainly see putting pressure on the QB as the key to winning this one. Offensively the Giants just aren't that intimidating with Bradshaw & Jacobs being passable backs but not the explosive types likely to break a big play. If the Giants can't get their running game going then they'll struggle through the air as Eli Manning is certainly inferior to his brother Peyton, they rely on star receiver Nakeem Hicks to provide a potent deep threat but he suffered a knee injury against Washington & even if he plays he may not be at his best. The Rams have injuries on the defensive side with a couple of backs out & on the offensive side tackle Jason Smth has a sprained ankle. However if Hicks doesn't play the Rams can double up on Mario Manningham & Manning will have a difficult day throwing. With problems on both sides this looks like being a tight one & the Giants certainly don't deserve to be 7 point favourites & St Louis Rams can cover the spread with +7 points at 10/11. With questions on the offensive side for both teams with missing receivers the total points line also seems high at 44 and should be backed to be under again at 10/11.
The Championship match tonight sees two of the struggling sides of the division meet up in Ipswich & Coventry. Coventry lost their first 3 games but have recovered lately, holding out against high-flying Middlesborough & drawing again with Watford before a much needed win against Derby County, all 3 of their losses were only by the odd goal. Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz has been in good form with 3 goals in the last 4 league games & Coventry will be hoping they've made the right decision in turning down an offer from Middlesborough during the recent transfer window. Ipswich started the season with a good result in a 3-0 away win against Bristol City but have since lost 4 of the last 5 including a 5-2 loss against Southampton & a 7-1 drubbing from Peterborough. They managed a win against Leeds United with a last minute goal but Leeds had just lost important player Max Gradel & they are certainly in a slump with manager Paul Jewel seemingly having little answer as to how to arrest it. There is likely to be little in this game especially with the Sky Blues not having lost by more than a goal so far & at the available odds the best bet looks to be to back Coventry with a goal headstart at 4/5, this means that any draw or Coventry win will see us pick up a decent reward.
Selections:
St Louis Rams to beat New York Giants with +7 points at 10/11 (general)
Under 44 points at 10/11 (general) in the Rams vs Giants game
Coventry City to beat Ipswich Town with +1 goals at 4/5 (general)
The Giants allowed Rex Grossman to throw for over 300 yards last week against the Redskins but they did manage 4 sacks with Jason Pierre-Paul getting himself a couple, sack machine Justin Tuck may be back in the team & New York will certainly see putting pressure on the QB as the key to winning this one. Offensively the Giants just aren't that intimidating with Bradshaw & Jacobs being passable backs but not the explosive types likely to break a big play. If the Giants can't get their running game going then they'll struggle through the air as Eli Manning is certainly inferior to his brother Peyton, they rely on star receiver Nakeem Hicks to provide a potent deep threat but he suffered a knee injury against Washington & even if he plays he may not be at his best. The Rams have injuries on the defensive side with a couple of backs out & on the offensive side tackle Jason Smth has a sprained ankle. However if Hicks doesn't play the Rams can double up on Mario Manningham & Manning will have a difficult day throwing. With problems on both sides this looks like being a tight one & the Giants certainly don't deserve to be 7 point favourites & St Louis Rams can cover the spread with +7 points at 10/11. With questions on the offensive side for both teams with missing receivers the total points line also seems high at 44 and should be backed to be under again at 10/11.
The Championship match tonight sees two of the struggling sides of the division meet up in Ipswich & Coventry. Coventry lost their first 3 games but have recovered lately, holding out against high-flying Middlesborough & drawing again with Watford before a much needed win against Derby County, all 3 of their losses were only by the odd goal. Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz has been in good form with 3 goals in the last 4 league games & Coventry will be hoping they've made the right decision in turning down an offer from Middlesborough during the recent transfer window. Ipswich started the season with a good result in a 3-0 away win against Bristol City but have since lost 4 of the last 5 including a 5-2 loss against Southampton & a 7-1 drubbing from Peterborough. They managed a win against Leeds United with a last minute goal but Leeds had just lost important player Max Gradel & they are certainly in a slump with manager Paul Jewel seemingly having little answer as to how to arrest it. There is likely to be little in this game especially with the Sky Blues not having lost by more than a goal so far & at the available odds the best bet looks to be to back Coventry with a goal headstart at 4/5, this means that any draw or Coventry win will see us pick up a decent reward.
Selections:
St Louis Rams to beat New York Giants with +7 points at 10/11 (general)
Under 44 points at 10/11 (general) in the Rams vs Giants game
Coventry City to beat Ipswich Town with +1 goals at 4/5 (general)
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