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NFL Power Rankings Week 2: St. Louis Rams Rise Slowly After Lions Loss

The St. Louis Rams proved their competence in Week 1's narrow loss to the Detroit Lions, but ESPN's Power Rankings illuminati worried ahead of their Week 2 rankings about a new problem that emerged while the Rams were avoiding a blowout: Injuries to their already-week offensive line. NFC West expert Mike Sando cites that in the course of introducing the Rams at No. 27, up just one spot from last week.

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That's a disappointing result, but it makes a lot of sense—if the Rams benefited from a strong showing by Sam Bradford and some intermittently stout defense, their offensive line was already looking unsteady even before Scott Wells left with a foot injury and Rodger Saffold suffered his scary neck strain.

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With those guys gone, it's going to be hard for Bradford to take on the increased offensive role the Rams will want from him going forward—and if a healthy offensive line couldn't keep Sam Bradford fully upright on 25 pass attempts, it's going to be rough going for a banged-up o-line when they have to rely heavily on his arm.

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