The last of the undefeated

By Jared Spinelli Sports Central Columnist

Last Monday night, the St. Louis Rams defeated the Detroit Lions in convincing fashion, 35-0.

The Rams passing offense looked like it was a game of backyard football between the local high school varsity team and eleven untrained dogs. The Rams put the Lions to shame, shredding apart the Detroit defense, with long bombs to wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, screens to tight end Ernie Conwell, or dump-offs to Marshall Faulk, which against the Lions defense, turned into twelve-yard gains.

Let's face it: the St. Louis offense is something to marvel at. They're in another league.

You've got your average offenses, you've got your above average offenses, and then way above that you find the offense of the St. Louis Rams.

Kurt Warner has an arm with the strength of an ox, the receivers have the legs of a cheetah, and the running backs have holes the size of Texas, thanks to an exceptional offensive line. When you watch the Rams, you know you're going to get sixty minutes of good football.

If the Rams are so good, then what happened last year?

Well, most of us know the Rams' defense last season was not something to marvel at. While the Rams would consistently put up around thirty points every game, their defense would consistently allow just as many. The result: lots of high-scoring, close games -- some of which the Rams lost, which eventually caught up to haunt the team, and not allow them to reach their full potential.

Over the offseason, the Rams cleaned up their defense through trades (Aeneas Williams), signings, and draft picks (Adam Archuleta). Only three starters from the previous season returned to the St. Louis defense for this year. Combine that with the fact that the team welcomed back Conwell, who had missed the previous two seasons because of injury, and you've got yourself a revamped team that really could have gone without change and still have been above average.

Being the only undefeated team left in the NFL has some pressure to it. The Rams could have the makings of an unbelievable season on their hands. It's probably too early, but that undefeated Dolphins team of the past has to be looking over their shoulder at those 2001-2002 Rams, wondering just "if." What if the Rams can go 16-0?

If any team can do it, it's these Rams. They've got it all: passing, running, and defense. All that's holding them back now are twelve hungry teams, wanting to take down that highest rung of the ladder.

We'll just have to wait a few of weeks.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.