Do not write the Los Angeles Rams, just yet
By Andy Davies
It has not been the start that many envisaged the Los Angeles Rams having to the season.
The Rams currently possess at 2-3 record, their overtime defeat against the Buffalo Bills in Monday Night Football marking another disappointing result for Sean McVay’s team
Harrison Mevis missed two field goals, including one in overtime that would have won the game for them, and was cut less than 24 hours later. This goes to show the cutthroat nature of the NFL.
The Rams were the overwhelming favourites to win the Super Bowl this season, after trading for Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald coming out of retirement and the team assessing the reigning MVP in quarterback Matthew Stafford. Instead, there is a lot of questions being presented at the team right now. They have the same record as the likes of the New York Jets and have less victories than the Cleveland Browns. If you had told someone this before the season started, you would have been laughed out of the room.
Despite their difficult start, here is why the Rams should very much still be considered a Super Bowl contender.
A game of fine margins
The Rams may be 2-3, but they could very easily be 4-1.
There is no doubt, they were simply outplayed in Melbourne. Their other games could have been very different. During both their other losses, to the Bills and Denver Broncos, they had the lead in the fourth quarter. They even led the game with less than a minute left against Denver, a game they led 16-0 at halftime.
Whilst their win against the Philadelphia Eagles could be looked at the other way, being down 20-10 at the half, this goes to those just how close the margins are in the NFL
The Rams are first in the league in total yards per game (424.4) and yardage differential (+696). This is along with recording the most passing yards (1,538), the third least total yards per game (285.2) and the league’s number one pass defence. However, they rank 14th for total points scored and only 11 teams allow more points, despite Stafford leading the league for passing yards.
There were also some key moments that caused a big swing in their losses. Mevis had the chance to win the game in overtime against the Bills with a 48-yard attempt. This is of course not a routine kick, but plenty of kickers are now hitting it consistently from 55. There was also the Talanoa Hufanga pick six against the Broncos, which completely altered the fate and momentum of the game.
Once again, the Eagles win provided a caveat to this theory, but there is a world where they could have still won this game whilst also winning these other two games.
Every team has their good luck and bad luck, but it feels like the Rams have been better than what their record suggests.
The Talent Is There
A big part of the Rams’ early season struggles has been the injuries. Star wide receiver Puka Nacua, who could have very easily won Offensive Player of the Year last season had it not been for Jaxon Smith-Njigba missed a number of weeks. His return has been clear to see, with the offensive looking way more potent. Garrett, the big-name mover this offseason, has also missed time. He has not played since their Week One game down under. Donald has also been in and out of the team with injury.
They feel like a team who will be a slow burner. The NFC West is possibly out of their reach, given the 5-0 start that their NFC West rivals the San Francisco 49ers have made to the season. However, there is nothing stopping them from reaching a Super Bowl as a Wildcard team.
There is also a lot of weeks left in the NFL season. A win against the Niners second time around and a couple defeat here and there for San Francisco and there is still every chance. It is unlikely, and the Rams would have to be almost perfect, but this is not out of the realms of possibility.
If they are to go down the Wildcard route, then should take inspiration from Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During their Super Bowl winning 2020 campaign, they started with a 34-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints. They only had. 3-2 record and had a run of three losses as they were 7-5 after Week 12. However, they did not lose a game after this, which shows that the Rams could get hot at the right time and still be the contenders that everyone expected them to. After all, a Super Bowl is not won five weeks into the season. Even the Rams lost three games in a row the following season during their 2021 season before hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at their own stadium.
If the Rams were to win the Super Bowl, they wouldn’t be the first team to do so after a 2-3 start. There have been two instances in NFL history where this has happened, this being the 2001 New England Patriots and 1980 Oakland Raiders. Furthermore, the 2007 New York Giants and 1993 Dallas Cowboys found themselves under the confetti after going 0-2.
The NFL is a long season and is should not be forgotten how many good players their have at their disposal. Stafford, Donald and Davante Adams are all future Hall of Famers. Head coach Sean McVay is one of the league’s greatest minds. Nacua and running back Kyren WIlliams are beyond explosive. Garrett is the greatest defensive player in the league, is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, holds the single season sack record and was voted number one by his peers In the NFL Top 100. Tyler Higbee is productive on his day, and Trent McDuffie is a two-time Super Bowl champion for a reason.
Do not sleep on the Rams just yet.
ANDY DAVIES
NFL ANALYST
ANDY IS A SPORTS JOURNALISM GRADUATE WITH OVER SIX YEARS EXPERIENCE OF NFL WRITING AND PODCASTING. ANDY HAS BEEN TO EVERY NFL STADIUM AND IS THE HOST OF THE ACROSS THE POD PODCAST. HE HAS PRESS PASS EXPERIENCE AT THE LONDON GAMES AND MANY OTHER NFL BASED EVENTS SUCH AS SUPER BOWL LIX AND LX, HAVING INTERVIEWED THE LIKES OF AARON RODGERS, JUSTIN JEFFERSON, JASON BELL, OSI UMENYIORA, PATRICK MAHOMES, TRAVIS KELCE, DERRICK HENRY, SAQUON BARKLEY AND JALEN HURTS.
