EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Rams, Colts should move on

Click here for more on this story

With the pairings of divisional opponents, there are no strangers in Saturday's wild-card games. Both the Rams and the Colts needed help from other teams to get this far. They got it and now look very dangerous.

After defeating the Saints on Sunday, St. Louis might as well have stayed down in the bayou. The respected yet banged up New Orleans defense was exposed as the Rams gained 474 yards. Marshall Faulk rushed for 220 yards, caught seven balls and scored three times. For the Saints to win this matchup, they will need to score on defense. Aaron Brooks has been impressive in his first five starts but without a strong running game, he will have problems against St. Louis. Ricky Williams won't be available and 73 yards rushing won't be enough this week. If the Rams hold the ball 37 minutes like they did on Christmas Eve, the Saints' season is over.

The Dolphins can't be too excited about seeing Peyton Manning and company again. Manning had his back to the wall the last three weeks and brought his game up to All-Pro level with three wins. Edgerrin James shows the damage he's capable of causing with this 52-yard catch-and-run. If Miami focuses on James, wideout Marvin Harrison will be freed up to grab a touchdown or two. Just like the Saints, the Dolphins will also need their defense to put some points on the board. The Colts will be a little tougher than last week's opponents, the lowly Patriots.

The Rams and the Colts have both already won this season on the road against these opponents. They're hot, they have the better quarterbacks and running backs, and their suspect defenses have played better of late. I like both road teams to advance.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout, and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Chat with Pat each Wednesday at 1:00 PM.

 

Related information
Multimedia
Visit Multimedia Central for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.