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This time, Tony Banks found the end zone!!
Hence the St. Louis Rams captured their first 1998 victory in Buffalo; a comeback effort 34-33. Add this game to the New Orleans game (a game which they should have won) and the Minnesota game (a game which they could have won), the Rams enter the last week of September with a 1-2 record.
One can make a case that this Rams team could be 3-0 or 0-3, or somewhere in between--with their inconsistent play. In any event, it is time to look ahead. Our schedule indicates that Game Four will be at the Trans World Dome against our old friends: the Arizona Cardinals. You know: The Big Red.
The Desert Rats.
Bidwill's Boys.
Sunday will mark the first time Arizona comes to town for a game which matters in the standings. In August, 1997, the Big Red were shut out by the Rams in a pre-season game at the Dome on four field goals. Final score that night: Jeff Wilkins 12 Arizona 0.
Nonetheless, Sunday may be the most important game of the season for our out of sync male sheep. They simply have to beat this town's former football team at the Dome. Otherwise the dissension within this team and the frustration of the fans may be ugly.
Today, the Rams are Number three on the pecking order of St. Louis professional sports. This is sad when you consider just three short years ago, this football team owned the sports fans' interest and money of this area.
Football fans who poured out their hearts, as well as their PSL Money, are dying for a reason to embrace this team. But for their support, the Rams have given the faithful an overall record of 19-32 or a .372 winning percentage, during their Gateway City tenure.
Now we are at the crossroads. We see the enemy. It's that futile franchise which defined bad football. The outfit which was based here in St. Louis for almost three decades. However, it's a game the Rams must win for the community, as well as themselves.
Think about it; Bill Bidwill in many circles is still considered Public Enemy #1 by many sports fans. His photo is probably pasted to many dart boards around the area.
But think of the irony if Bidwill's Big Red come back to the Gateway City and defeat the Rams in the regular season, at the Dome that Mr. B coveted. The football faithful want to rub the Big Red in the dirt (or at least the Dome's rock hard surface). But can they?
After Sunday's game, the Rams will go into their BYE week. However after the BYE week, our male sheep will host the Jets at the Dome, then travel to Miami, then welcome the 49ers to town (a team which they have not beaten since the Bush administration), then head to Atlanta (to play at team which they could not beat in 1997).
Obviously, a much more difficult schedule in the upcoming weeks.
A win would give the team a 2-2 record for September, plus some positives to explore during the break. A loss would drop the team to 1-3, and thirteen non-game days to sulk, create excuses and finger point.
A loss would also mean, that the Arizona Cardinals would return to the desert with a 2-2 record and Bill Bidwill knowing that the St. Louis Rams have yet to beat his football team when the games really counted.
One more thing, a loss to the Arizona Cardinals will probably result in more empty seats attending Rams' home games in October and November.
Fortunately, for the Rams, they will not be the primary focus of this town's sports fans this date. Sunday also marks the final home game of the season for the Baseball Cardinals. There will be a sell out crowd at the Ball Park ready to give Mark McGwire a send off and a standing ovation, as he and his teammates head out of town for the winter.
Unfortunately for the Rams, after the baseball season ends, they will then come to center stage on Sunday afternoons for the remainder of the fall and early winter months.
Not a very rosy picture, huh? That's why this Sunday's game with the Cardinals may be the most important of the season.
Coach Vermeil, leave the rhetoric to Bill Clinton. YOU set your team's practice schedules. You better have the troops prepared. This week's game may be more important than you realize.
Tony Banks, good luck. One more thing. PLEASE make sure you find the end zone THIS Sunday.
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