It's the start of the 2008 NFL season as the St. Louis Rams head to the city of Brotherly Love to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.  The Rams will be looking to start the season off on the right foot after suffering through a dismal 3-13 campaign in 2007.  The main playmakers return to the offensive side of the ball that is now coordinated by Al Saunders, who was with the Rams during there Fastest Show on Turf years in the late 90's early 2000's.  This Rams team isnt the same as that one, but there are plenty of weapons who hopefully can lead the Rams to more wins in 2008.  Marc Bulger returns as the signal caller and Steven Jackson is main cog in the Rams offense.  Torry Holt is still the Rams #1 receiver and will be looking for help from the likes of Drew Bennett, Randy McMichael and draft choices Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton.  Orlando Pace returns from an injury to anchor an offensive line that was one of the worse in 2007.  He is joined by free agent signee Jacob Bell, Alex Barron and former Nebraska Cornhusker Richie Icognito.

Defensively, the Rams will be looking to improve on a run defense that was gashed for numerous yards in 2007.  They will be looking for major production from 1st round draft choice Chris Long.  He's expected to line up all over the defensive front and hopefully provide some pressure on the quarterback opposite Leonard Little and Adam Carriker.  Wil Witherspoon returns as the middle linebacker and he'll be flanked by Pisa Tiniosamoa, Chris Draft and Quinton Culberson.  The secondary has some talent but has yet to really put it together, with Tye Hill and Fahikr Brown as the corners and Corey Chavous and Oshiomonho Atogwe, who was one of the leaders in the NFL in interceptions in 2007.

Former Ram killer Josh Brown takes over the kicking duties for the retired Jeff Wilkins and Donnie Jones returns as the punter.  A healthy Dante Hall is expected to provide a boost to the Rams kickoff and punt return teams, one of the worse in the NFL in recent years.  The Rams spent quite a few draftpicks the past few years on guys with special teams experience, trying there best to curtail a problem that has plagued the gold and blue for a while now.  Hopefully this will be the year the Rams can put it all together.

Up first, a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.  Led by Donovan McNabb, the Eagles will be looking to improve on a 8-8 season.  Picked by some as a possible sleeper in a very good NFC East division, the Eagles are led offensively by Brian Westbrook, who can do it all out of the backfield.  He'll see plenty of touches against the Rams and will provide the opponent with a tough test in week 1.  The receiving corp is lead by former Ram Kevin Curtis, who will miss game 1 with an injury.  Reggie Brown is also injured and it's uncertain if he will be ready to play in the opener.  That leaves 1st round pick Desean Jackson, a speedy receiver who can also return punts and kicks, as McNabb's go to guy.  Jackson's speed could be a problem for a Rams team that gave up quite a few long plays in 2007.  Defensively, the Eagles are led up front by Pro Bowl DE Trent Cole.  The linebacking corp is young but quickly becoming coordinator Jim Johnson's biggest surprise.  They'll be tested by the Rams constant shifting offense, but expect Johnson to hold nothing back as he tests the Rams offensive line.  The secondary is led by Asante Samuel, who the Eagles got in an offseason acquisition.  The former Patriot had 16 interceptions in the last two seasons and will be matched up against Torry Holt in week 1.  Samuel is joined by Sheldon Brown on the corner, Quintin Mikell at strong safety and the heart and soul of the Eagles defense, hard hitter Brian Dawkins.

Which team will walk away with the win in week 1?

Predict the following questions for this NFC East/NFC West matchup

St. Louis Rams 2007 stats

Philadelphia Eagles 2007 stats