In NFL analyst Ryan Van Bibber's latest piece, Van Bibber looks at each NFC team through the most optimistic of lenses in a series entitled "Why Your Team Will Make The Playoffs This Season."
For the St. Louis Rams, he sees a talented defense that might be able to take advantage of several "shaky quarterback situations" in their coming 2012 NFL schedule:
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams have a long road to the playoffs, but they can make it back thanks to playing in a wide open NFC West. What really helps the Rams in their division is that they have two essential ingredients for taking on three shaky quarterback situations in six of their games. Cortland Finnegan, one of the NFL's best pass defenders last year, joins Janoris Jenkins to lead a suddenly deep group of corners. In front of them is a defensive line headlined by Chris Long, who had 13 sacks and 83 total pressures last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Rams finished the 2011 NFL season with a 2-14 record and the No. 2 overall draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. They overhauled their coaching and front office staff in the offseason, hiring respected head coach Jeff Fischer.
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