I would 
Spent a lot of time looking things over and trying to rationalize the game. I think 14 is considered a "safe" number by Vegas now that it has been adjusted as it is probably assumed that it is just as likely that the Rams blow out the Pats as it is that the Pats somehow make a game of it or even end up winning the game.
My main reason for taking the Rams is the fact that I do not feel the Pats' offense can keep up. . . yes, they scored 24 points against the Steelers, but their offense was basically shut down the second half and it was the Steelers that couldn't get things done on the offensive side of the football.
The Pats have relied on several lucky events (turnovers, official decisions) to hang around their games as of late and come up on the winning end, but I can't see it continuing against a sound offensive machine. To win and/or cover, the Pats will have to score right along with the Rams and throw out their conservative style of attack at the very beginning instead of relying on breaks to stay in the game until the 4th quarter. I can see them falling behind by two touchdowns before determining they must take chances and end up digging an even larger hole than they started with when playing conservative on the offensive side.
Another consideration is a backdoor cover which has been infamous this year as always and I'm sure is on everyone's mind when considering this spread. I believe the Rams will not let up on offense even in the 4th quarter with 5 minutes to go in the game and up by 13. This is the last game of the season and it has already been mentioned in the past how Warner and CO. abosolutely HATE coming out of games even when the outcome is no longer in doubt.
In the end, I feel the Rams will take chances early and often without ever letting up on the offensive side of the football while the Pats try to send the game into the 4th quarter still being in contention . . . this conservative style will kill them in the end and shouldn't help them score points against a Ram defense that is actually very decent.
If the Pats had the X factor like McNabb or a mobile QB, I could see their defense being vulernable. . . but not against the Pat's offensive unit and its impossible for me or anybody to determine if any breaks will go in favor of one team or the other. I'll go with what I can cap and take the Rams laying 14.
Spent a lot of time looking things over and trying to rationalize the game. I think 14 is considered a "safe" number by Vegas now that it has been adjusted as it is probably assumed that it is just as likely that the Rams blow out the Pats as it is that the Pats somehow make a game of it or even end up winning the game.
My main reason for taking the Rams is the fact that I do not feel the Pats' offense can keep up. . . yes, they scored 24 points against the Steelers, but their offense was basically shut down the second half and it was the Steelers that couldn't get things done on the offensive side of the football.
The Pats have relied on several lucky events (turnovers, official decisions) to hang around their games as of late and come up on the winning end, but I can't see it continuing against a sound offensive machine. To win and/or cover, the Pats will have to score right along with the Rams and throw out their conservative style of attack at the very beginning instead of relying on breaks to stay in the game until the 4th quarter. I can see them falling behind by two touchdowns before determining they must take chances and end up digging an even larger hole than they started with when playing conservative on the offensive side.
Another consideration is a backdoor cover which has been infamous this year as always and I'm sure is on everyone's mind when considering this spread. I believe the Rams will not let up on offense even in the 4th quarter with 5 minutes to go in the game and up by 13. This is the last game of the season and it has already been mentioned in the past how Warner and CO. abosolutely HATE coming out of games even when the outcome is no longer in doubt.
In the end, I feel the Rams will take chances early and often without ever letting up on the offensive side of the football while the Pats try to send the game into the 4th quarter still being in contention . . . this conservative style will kill them in the end and shouldn't help them score points against a Ram defense that is actually very decent.
If the Pats had the X factor like McNabb or a mobile QB, I could see their defense being vulernable. . . but not against the Pat's offensive unit and its impossible for me or anybody to determine if any breaks will go in favor of one team or the other. I'll go with what I can cap and take the Rams laying 14.
