Rams are one step away from division title

By George Dwyer
Sports Reporter

The St. Louis Rams will be looking to do something they haven't been able to do since 1985. That accomplishment is winning their first division title since that year.

In 1985, the Rams won the National Football Conference West Division title, but eventually lost in the NFC Championship game to the Chicago Bears.

All this year's Rams team has to do is beat the Carolina Panthers on the road Sunday to clinch the West Division. That task might be more challenging than it appears.

One the first things that should be mentioned is the fact the Rams secured a winning season with their current record of 9-2. They also own the best record in the NFC and seem to be destined to take home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Just because this team has already won nine games and is on the brink of a division tittle, don't think that anyone on the team is content yet.

"Winning nine games is nice but we haven't really accomplished anything yet," Rams quarterback Kurt Warner said. "We are looking to do more than just have a winning season and the division title."

The Rams seemed to be on one mission for the rest of this season. That mission is to take home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

"Home field means so much because look at the percentage of teams going to the Super Bowl that play all of their games at home," Warner said. "We are a better team at home, and I would rather play here in the playoffs rather go on the road."

For some of the veterans who have been on this team for a long time, this season has been something that is just a dream.

"I always knew we had talent on this team but it was so frustrating losing all of the time," defensive tackle D'Marco Farr said. "It always was bad playing games in November and December that meant nothing but they do now."

The Rams do have a tough game this weekend. They face a Carolina team that was embarrassed at the Trans World Dome a few weeks ago and the Panthers will be hungry to play. Rams head coach Dick Vermeil hopes there is no letdown this week.

"That Carolina team is a much better team than played us a few weeks ago," Vermeil said. "They are better all round right now and we have to be ready to strap the helmets on and play some tough football."

The Rams will probably face a Carolina Panthers team that will look for a little revenge. There are some Panthers who felt the Rams purposely ran the score up on them a few weeks ago. The Rams are due for a letdown game which they almost did against the Saints Sunday.

Carolina is playing better football and can get back in the playoff hunt with a win over the Rams. This game is also being played in a stadium where the Rams have not fared well overall.

Look for a very close football game that could come down to a mere field goal. Look for Carolina to kick a field goal at the end and upset the Rams.