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NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 22, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) is sacked during the fourth quarter by St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) is sacked during the fourth quarter by St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports /

4. player. 51. . NFC. West. St. Louis Rams

The offseason was good … very good to the St. Louis Rams. After signing defensive tackle Nick Fairley to a one-year deal, general manager Les Snead landed a potential franchise quarterback by dealing the oft-injured Sam Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles for Nick Foles. Foles, who is coming off a broken clavicle that ended his 2014 campaign, was magical in 2013 with 27 touchdowns and two interceptions.

However, the reason the Rams could find themselves in the postseason is the defensive front. Few teams if any can match the outrageous line of Fairley, second-year stud Aaron Donald, sack-master Robert Quinn and Chris Long. In 2014, Quinn started slow but ended the campaign with 10.5 sacks. Donald looked like the second-coming of Warren Sapp from the tackle position in St. Louis’ 4-3 scheme, bagging the quarterback nine times.

Behind the line is the linebacker combination of James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree. Between the two, 220 tackles were made, with Ogletree notching two interceptions and Laurinaitis notching 3.5 sacks. St. Louis finished last in the NFC West last year, but it wasn’t because of the defense. With Foles in house, the main problem for the Rams has been fixed.

St. Louis also added first-round pick, running Todd Gurley to the fold. The offense doesn’t stand to be incredible, but it should be vastly improved from its pathetic play of 2014. With the defense already in place, head coach Jeff Fisher has to feel good about the prospects heading into September.

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