Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

Our 2012 Detroit Lions schedule preview made it through the preseason and we’re finally ready to move on to the regular season matchups starting with the Lions’ opponent in week one, the St. Louis Rams.

I want to thank Ramblin’ Fan editor Justin Stine for taking the time to answer my questions about the Rams.

1. What is your opinion of the Rams’ 2012 draft?

Justin Stine: It’s hard to judge a draft until you see the players in action, but on paper I think the Rams did an outstanding job in the 2012 NFL Draft. Michael Brockers is exactly what we needed in the middle of the defensive line, and I think one of the best picks of the entire draft by any team was getting Janoris Jenkins in the second round. Brian Quick looks like he can be a very good NFL WR, but he might need some time to adjust to the league after coming from Appalachian St. I also really like the upside of Chris Givens and Roke Watkins, two guys the Rams got later in the draft. They didn’t address every hole on this roster, but they got a heck of a start.

2. Matthew Stafford had to prove doubters wrong after two injury filled seasons to start his NFL career, are any Rams fans having doubts about Sam Bradford?

JS: Sam Bradford is probably the biggest question mark on this Rams team right now. I think most fans here in St. Louis believe that Bradford has the ability to be an elite QB, but recently there has been a growing concern that he suffered from “Cabin Fever” in the pocket last season and that me might struggle to recover. If the offensive line gives him time, I believe Bradford could take the league by storm just like Stafford did last year. I would say that there are a good number of Rams fans who aren’t as confident as I am, but overall I think Rams fans are willing to give him at least this season to prove himself.

Suh finished number one with 260 votes out of the 617 players, coaches and executives that voted for the award. Sam Bradford finished second in what turned out to be a two-man race with 221 votes.

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Both offenses should be able to score points in this matchup. If the Lions defensive front four can hurry rookie QB Sam Bradford, they should be able to come up with the necessary stops to win this game. On offense, the Lions will do just fine so long as Shaun Hill takes care of the ball. The Rams have won a couple of games, but they’re still not a good team. This is a need to win game for the Lions.

Latif: I expect a 30-17 Lions win.

The way I see it, the Lions won’t be able to stop Steven Jackson on the ground. The Lions are giving up 4.8 yards per carry through the first four weeks, and that trend will continue in week five. On the other hand, our corners, who are the biggest weakness on this team, will matchup favorably against the St. Louis Rams receivers, who I consider to be the worst receiving corp in the NFL. That means Sam Bradford won’t have too many places to go with the ball when the D-line does bring the pressure.

On offense, the Lions offensive line is good enough to pass protect against Chris Long and James Hall. The problem will be dealing with their blitzing linebackers, but any blitzes from the linebackers also leaves our tight ends open in the flat. Plus, Shaun Hill looked settled in as a starter last week and threw the ball very efficiently and showed great mobility against the best defense in the NFC. The Rams, although much improved defensive unit from last year, are nowhere near as good as the Packers, so I expect Hill to put up great numbers.

All in all, a lot of people are worried about the “Steven Jackson effect”. He literally won them the game last season, but the way I see it: Calvin Johnson cancels out Steven Jackson, so the Lions should be great shape to win their first game and they should win it with a sizable margin.

Zac: Lions get their first win, 30-27.

I will admit that my pick is made with my heart as much as my head. This is a game that almost everybody marked down as a win when the schedule came out and despite what has occurred so far, there is no reason that the Lions can’t win it. Unfortunately, there is also a strong possibility they won’t win it.

Shaun Hill has been good, not great, but I can’t honestly say that the Lions would be in a drastically different place if Matthew Stafford hadn’t gotten hurt. Hill has thrown some poorly timed interceptions but he has also kept the offense moving with surprising regularity. The offense should be able to put up some points once again.

The biggest variable comes on defense. Steven Jackson is a legitimate threat to do some serious damage. DeAndre Levy will be sorely missed once again and the pressure will be on the Lions defenders to bring down Jackson when they have the chance. Broken tackles and big gains will spell trouble. The front four hasn’t disappointed this year. Their ability to get to Sam Bradford and force some mistakes could be the difference in the game. Sack him, hit him, and knock him down time after time and see how he responds. He may be talented but he is still young.

That’s what we have to say, what are your predictions?