If you need proof of how fast things change in sports, just look at what the Rams and Cardinals have done over the past month.

Let’s go back to the beginning of September.

On Sept. 3 the Cards were 7.5 games behind Atlanta in the wild card race while the Rams had just finished an impressive 4-0 preseason and appeared to be the NFC West favorites.

For the first time in years, the Rams were generating more excitement than the Cardinals. It had been years since the Cardinals were out of contention with so many games left; it had been almost as long since the Rams actually looked good heading into a season.

Fans did something they never thought to be possible: They all but gave up on the Cardinals in favor of the Rams.

But then order was restored and both teams transformed into their old selves.

Right on cue, and when nobody expected it, the Cardinals started winning and didn’t stop. But all they did was play at the level we expected all along.

It shouldn’t be surprising that a team with Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday could go on a 16-5 run and take advantage of a record-setting collapse by the Braves. The only thing they needed was an improved bullpen and timely hitting from players other than Pujols, Holliday and Berkman.

We should have expected this.

At the same time, the Rams have put on the same sorry show in four straight games. Week after week, they shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and mistakes. The Lafayette Lancers have more creativity, discipline and sure-handed receivers than the Rams offense right now.

While the Lancers are winning games with trick plays, like a reverse pass against Fox on Sept. 31, the Rams repeatedly trot out the same slow-moving offense. Instead of using quick passes to protect Sam Bradford, they leave him in the pocket looking for receivers that will never get open.

It’s shocking the Bradford can finish games with a concussion.

We should have expected this.

Even with some quality free agent pickups, the Rams doomed themselves by slacking on two positions where they needed the most help.

With three of their first four draft picks in April, they took a defensive end that hadn’t played in a year and two receivers that played in pass-happy college systems. The team’s 0-4 record and complete lack of explosiveness has everything to do with those two weaknesses.

The lesson here is that we as fans can’t overact to a good preseason or even a large deficit in the standings. Things can change in the blink of an eye.

Actually, considering how the Cardinals and Rams have performed in recent years, things are basically back to normal.