Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The Rams needed some sort of reward for staying the course during this lost season.
They got it Sunday, with a bonus: The bye week gives them time to savor the first victory of the Steve Spagnuolo era.
This victory should prevent the Rams from crumbling under the pressure of mounting frustrations. They no longer have to hear about the NFL's longest current losing streak. They no longer have to worry about a potential 0-16 season. They might no longer qualify even as the worst team in the league.
Steven Jackson continued to set the tone for the Rams by shaking off tacklers and willing the Rams to victory. He has played at a Pro Bowl level all season. The difference Sunday was that the Rams finally found an opponent they could outscore despite issues on offense.
It wasn't easy. The Rams needed a fake-punt touchdown. They surrendered a safety on an interception return.
But with the game on the line, Jackson ran once for 17 yards and again for the winning 24-yard touchdown.
The schedule only gets tougher for the Rams. They face the Saints in Week 10. Preparations for that one can wait. The Rams finally won a game. They should get some time to enjoy it.
The Rams needed some sort of reward for staying the course during this lost season.
They got it Sunday, with a bonus: The bye week gives them time to savor the first victory of the Steve Spagnuolo era.
This victory should prevent the Rams from crumbling under the pressure of mounting frustrations. They no longer have to hear about the NFL's longest current losing streak. They no longer have to worry about a potential 0-16 season. They might no longer qualify even as the worst team in the league.
Steven Jackson continued to set the tone for the Rams by shaking off tacklers and willing the Rams to victory. He has played at a Pro Bowl level all season. The difference Sunday was that the Rams finally found an opponent they could outscore despite issues on offense.
It wasn't easy. The Rams needed a fake-punt touchdown. They surrendered a safety on an interception return.
But with the game on the line, Jackson ran once for 17 yards and again for the winning 24-yard touchdown.
The schedule only gets tougher for the Rams. They face the Saints in Week 10. Preparations for that one can wait. The Rams finally won a game. They should get some time to enjoy it.
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