Playoff Bound?

With a Week 16 win versus the San Francisco 49ers, the St. Louis Rams are a step away from winning the NFC West, something they have not accomplished since 2003. The only obstacle in the Rams' way is division rival Seattle Seahawks.

With a win next week, at Seattle, the Rams will end the season at 8-8. That task won't be an easy one - Qwest Field has been tough on opposing teams, and the Rams are well aware of this.

But Sam Bradford will lead the Rams to victory. He has shown to be able to handle adversity well in his young career.

And the QB position is probably the reason the Rams have a better chance of winning. Seattle has question marks at the position, with veteran Matt Hasselbeck being closer to the end of his career.

Dodgers' LF Situation

The Dodgers have sought after a big bat to play in a left field platoon with Jay Gibbons. Their first choice was Bill Hall, formerly of the Boston Red Sox.

Bill Hall has signed with the Houston Astros, so the Dodgers' first pick at LF was taken away. The other free agents in their radar are Marcus Thames and the Hairston brothers, Scott and Jerry.

Thames makes sense; he hits right handed and has some pop. Scott Hairston has less pop in his bat, and Jerry has none at all.

If anything, Dodgers should sign Thames. He has the power the club is looking for. The Hairston's are bench players, which the team has in outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr.

Jay Gibbons is capable of handling himself in left field. The team should allow him to prove himself.

What is Going on in L.A.

Lakers

L.A. Lakers just traded guard Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic and their 2011 first round pick to the New Jersey - soon to be the Brooklyn New Yorkers??? - Nets for power foward Joe Smith and a pair of second round picks in a three team trade. The third team is the Houston Rockets.

Now, what the hell were the Lakers thinking? Joe Smith? I know they didn't really need Sasha, so it was probably a move just to get him out of here. But what about the fist rounder?


Dodgers

The Dodgers signed catcher Dioner Navarro to back up Rod Barajas. They have also signed pitcher Vicente Padilla to the swingman role out of the bullpen. And just today, word is they are on the verge of signing right-handed reliever Matt Guerrier to a three-year deal worth $12 million.

I don't think this is enough to catapult them into the postseason. Barajas is not a long term solution to the Dodgers' backstop. They signed Navarro believing he can be the solution, but Navarro is not any better than former catcher Russell Martin. Actually, he is worse. The Dodgers also lack the "big bat" in left field. I advocated Adam Dunn, but we saw the Dodgers didn't even give him a look. Bill Hall? Really?

4 in a row??? Damn Lakers

It has been nearly three years since the Lakers lost four consecutive games. They just achieved that undesirable feat again when they dropped Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets.

I personally thought the recent skid was not a huge issue; they were getting tired. I thought the Lakers would bounce back and turn the boat around and head to the right direction.

The games the Lakers have dropped have something in common; the Lakers lose the lead and cannot recover, or try to recover it when it is too late.

The defense has been terrible. They are allowing too many points to teams that don't really have a scoring catalyst.

Pau Gasol also struggled in Wednesday's game, scoring 8 points. He'll have to be spot on for the Lakers to get out of this rut.

The Lakers have to get their shit together.

I bid you all farewell.