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The Washington Redskins remain the oddsmakers' favorites ahead of their Week 4 contest with the St. Louis Rams—this week's NFL Odds have them one-point favorites on the road in the latest line, a slight comedown from their 1-1/2 point start but still a reflection of the Rams' disappointing season to date. Who knew Sam Bradford's coming-out party would be spoiled by a team that's starting Rex Grossman?
The NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers are seven point underdogs against the Eagles, and the Seahawks and Cardinals are also picked to lose, so the Rams could somehow manage to fall to 0-4 and not lose any ground. Of course, that's what happens in a division you can win at 7-9.
The Rams' need, then, is less about the division than their own identity. With an even tougher schedule coming up after their Week 5 bye the Rams need to pull out an underdog victory to give ticket-buying fans—and coach-firing owners—a little faith in the new braintrust and its complex new offense. A win against the Washington Redskins, perhaps the weakest team they'll meet in the first half of the season, could accomplish that.