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Kansas City Chiefs at St Louis Rams Line

This Sunday two division leaders will face off when the St Louis Rams host the Kansas City Chiefs. Both teams took a big hit to their playoff chances last week, as the Rams lost 31-13 at New Orleans, while the Chiefs got shutout 31-0 at San Diego. While the Rams are in a first place tie atop the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks, the Chiefs have a one game lead over the Chargers in the AFC West. Both teams control their own destiny, but one team will be in a lot worse shape after this week. Looking at the current odds for this week’s games, the oddsmakers have the Rams favored by just 1-point over the Chiefs at home.

Kansas City (8-5): It remains unclear whether or not starting quarterback Matt Cassel will be able to play this week, as he continues to recover from an appendectomy. There is no question that the Chiefs need Cassel after the offense managed just 67 yards of total offense. Backup Brodie Croyle went just 7 of 17 for 40 yards, but to his credit he didn’t turn the ball over. The Rams rank 20th against the pass, so there is hope if Croyle has to start this week.

Because the Chiefs were so ineffective early and managed just five first downs for the entire game, they had just 48 yards on the ground, by far their lowest total of the season. The Rams come in ranked 12th against the run, allowing just 106 yards a game, but you have to expect Kansas City to have a much better day running the ball this week, as they are still the number one rushing offense in the NFL with a 165 yard average.

The Chiefs defense did everything it could to keep them in the game last week, but when you have to play defense for 40 minutes of a 60 minute game, you are going to get tired and give up some points. Kansas City did force two turnovers and two sacks in the game, and I am confident that this defense will play better against the Rams this week.

St. Louis (6-7): While the Rams definitely could use a win this week, they are still in pretty good shape if they lose this game, as they still have a matchup with the Seahawks in the final week of the season, and Seattle has to face Atlanta this week and go on the road to Tampa Bay the following week.

Sam Bradford really struggled against the Saints defense last week, as he went 18 of 32 for 231 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. It was the second straight week that Bradford went without a touchdown. The Chiefs secondary has struggled against the pass at times this season, as they come in giving up 232 yards a game, but Bradford simply has to play better down the stretch for this team to make the playoffs.

Steven Jackson had 96 yards on just 16 carries, and likely would have had a much bigger game had the Rams not fallen behind 21-6 by halftime. Look for Jackson to have a much bigger role this week against a Chiefs defense that has really struggled against the run of late, allowing at least 100 yards in six of their last seven games.

No question the Rams would love to see Croyle in the starting lineup this week, but their main focus has to be on stopping the Chiefs rushing attack. If they don’t keep Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones in check, it won’t matter who starts at quarterback for Kansas City.

Looking at the Odds: The consensus is that Cassel will more than likely be able to play this week, but taking Kansas City without knowing for sure is definitely a risk. If you plan on betting this game I would wait up until you get the final word on whether or not he is playing. I am going to assume he is, and if he does I think your money needs to be on the Chiefs in this game. Kansas City has absolutely crushed the other three teams in the NFC West, winning by a combined score of 104- 47. My final score prediction is Kansas City 31, St Louis 23.