NFL St Louis Rams

5 Reasons Why St. Louis Rams Will Be A Playoff Team Next Season

5 Reasons Why the St. Louis Rams Will Make the Playoffs Next Season

St. Louis Rams
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Attempting to usurp the Seattle Seahawks atop the NFC West would be a monumental ask for the St. Louis Rams in 2015, but finding a way into the playoff picture in the NFC shouldn’t be quite as difficult. Jeff Fisher is building a winning organization, and even though there’s some unrest regarding their future location, this team is going to be a contender wherever they are playing. Here are five reasons why the Rams will be a 2015 playoff team.

5. Another Stellar Draft

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5. Another Stellar Draft

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Despite having just five picks heading into the 2015 NFL Draft, general manager Les Snead has earned confidence from the fanbase that he will make sound decisions in the draft process. Whether it’s trading up with the aid of future draft choices to land the franchise quarterback they so desperately need, staying put or even trading back, there’s no doubt Snead and Co. will find some terrific players to groom into stars.

4. No More Sam Bradford

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4. No More Sam Bradford

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Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

This one is somewhat mean-spirited, but there’s no doubt that Sam Bradford has held the Rams’ progress back in recent years. His first couple of seasons can’t be looked at as his fault, but his lackluster play and injury-prone ways have derailed any playoff aspirations they may have held in 2013 and 2014. Granted, a lot depends on just who they get to replace him, but it’s hard to see whomever it is being any less successful than Bradford.

3. Emerging Young Talent

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3. Emerging Young Talent

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From Robert Quinn, Alec Ogletree and Aaron Donald on defense to Tre Mason and Tavon Austin offensively, this team has plenty of reason to be optimistic about the young core in place. Unheralded guys like cornerback E.J. Gaines and offensive tackle Greg Robinson are also key building blocks of the future. As this youth movement in St. Louis matures, the team will reap the benefits and climb the NFC West ladder.

2. Arizona Cardinals’ QB Issues

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2. Arizona Cardinals’ QB Issues

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Palmer is an injury waiting to happen, and Drew Stanton inspires very little confidence behind him. And everyone saw just what Ryan Lindley or Logan Thomas is capable of in the Wild Card game for the Arizona Cardinals. This team needs to figure out the situation behind center if they want to remain in the hunt. That bodes well for the Rams jumping up into the top tier of divisional contenders.

1. Demise of San Francisco 49ers

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1. Demise of San Francisco 49ers

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This point goes deeper than just Jim Harbaugh bolting for his alma mater. Colin Kaepernick showed signs of serious regression this past season, and Frank Gore is quickly becoming geriatric. Add that to Michael Crabtree’s pending free agency and the defense seeing several guys struggle with injuries or suspension and the Niners aren’t so tough any longer. Their demise could lead to the Rams becoming the perennial runner-up in the division.

Anthony Blake is a Senior Writer/Copy Editor for Rant Sports. You Can Follow Him on Twitter, on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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