This is the week the St. Louis Rams get to prove their 4-1 record isn't a fluke.
The oddsmakers think it is _ Seattle is a three-point favourite in St. Louis. Yes, the same Seahawks who when last seen were being pounded 37-6 by Chicago.
But everyone gets pounded by the Bears. And Seattle, the defending NFC champion, had a week off to lick its wounds and work on ways to get the running game going without running back Shaun Alexander, who won't play.
The Rams?
The only win that's impressive is the opening week 18-10 victory over Denver. All the Rams' points came on field goals in that game.
The other victories are over the Cardinals, Lions and Packers, and the loss is to the 49ers _ none of them close to being powers. And the wins in Arizona and Green Bay were a bit lucky, due in large part to late fumbles by Kurt Warner and Brett Favre with the Cards and Packers within range of at least a tying field goal.
The Rams don't care.
``It's like I tell our players, we create our own luck most of the time,'' says Scott Linehan, who is off to an impressive start as a rookie coach.
A win by St. Louis is critical if it wants to challenge the Seahawks in the NFC West. Its only loss is in the division and it needs at least to hold service at home.
It's also an interesting meeting of quarterbacks.
As the Rams have faded into mediocrity, Marc Bulger has fallen a bit under the radar. But he enters this game with 214 straight passes without an interception.
That might change Sunday. And the Seahawks are several levels above the 49ers, Packers, Lions and Cardinals.
SEAHAWKS, 22-16
Kansas City (plus 7) at Pittsburgh
It's getting close to desperation time for the Super Bowl champs. Defence wins.
STEELERS, 16-10
Carolina (plus 2{) at Baltimore
The Ravens need more from Jamal Lewis.
PANTHERS, 19-17
Philadelphia (minus 3{) at New Orleans
If the Eagles let down here after the T.O. spectacle, they could have a problem.
EAGLES, 24-20
New York Giants (plus 3) at Atlanta
The home team in this rivalry has lost 10 straight going back to 1979. So . . .
GIANTS, 22-20
Chicago (minus 10) at Arizona (Monday night)
Matt Leinart looks good for a rookie quarterback. But a rookie quarterback against Chicago's defence?
BEARS, 34-6
Cincinnati (minus 6) at Tampa Bay
Even without Chris Henry, their latest suspended player, the Bengals have too much firepower against an aging defence.
BENGALS, 27-13.
Oakland (plus 15) at Denver
The Broncos have 49 points all season. But the Raiders should be relegated to Division II.
BRONCOS, 49-2
Tennessee (plus 9{) at Washington
The Redskins, shut down last week in the Meadowlands, had better be careful against the team that scared Indy.
REDSKINS, 24-6
Houston (plus 13) at Dallas
Does anyone remember that the Texans upset the Cowboys in their first game ever?
COWBOYS, 31-10
Miami (plus 3) at New York Jets
The Jets have two ``good'' home losses to the Patriots and Colts. They're home after awful performance in Jacksonville.
JETS, 20-14
San Diego (minus 10) at San Francisco
Niners are decent at home, but not decent enough to win.
CHARGERS, 27-16
Buffalo (minus 1) at Detroit
The Lions were actually favoured by a point in the opening line. The bettors wised up.
BILLS, 19-13
LAST WEEK: 4-9-1 (spread) 12-2 (Straight up)
SEASON 29-40-5 (spread); 49-25 (straight up)
