Rams at the Jets, NFL football Betting Pick |
St. Louis @ NY Jets NFL betting Preview
After compiling a 58-44 record from 2001 to 2006, the St. Louis Rams have fallen apart in the last two seasons, finishing 3-13 in 2007 and 2-14 (6-10 AGAINST THE spread) in 2008. The 2009 Rams lost offensive tackle Orlando Pace and longtime wide receiver Torry Holt in the off season, but bolstered their offensive line with the second overall pick in tackle Jason Smith and center Jason Brown. St. Louis hopes that the two Jasons will improve an offensive line that finished 27th in the league in sacks allowed last season.
First year coach Steve Spagnuolo, who led the New York Giants’ defense for the past two seasons, inherits the two main faces of the franchise in running back Steven Jackson and quarterback Marc Bulger. Spagnuolo still lacks much impact on the defensive side of the ball, but his defensive minded approach to the game should improve last year’s 31st ranked scoring defense.
The Rams travel to the Meadowlands to face another first year coach. The Jets parted ways with coach Eric Mangini (Cleveland) and hired another one of the game’s top defensive minds in Rex Ryan from Baltimore. The former Ravens defensive coordinator brought with him linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard from Baltimore, and added Southern Cal rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, who will compete for the job with Kellen Clemens. Last year’s starting quarterback Brett Favre remains retired for now. Sanchez will benefit from protection from perhaps the league’s best offensive line, which features four former first round draft picks.
The Jets, who are listed at +5000 to win the Super Bowl, are 3.5 point favorites against the Rams, who are +10000 to win it all. NFL betting gamblers hope that New York can improve off last season’s 7-9 record against the spread.
Take the Rams and the points for our NFL football betting pick.
