The Los Angeles Rams are sitting at a shaky 1-2 after three games, but get this, almost half their entire fanbase still expects them to clock at least 10 wins this season. We’re talking serious optimism here, maybe even a touch of delusion given how things have started. In a recent SB Nation poll asking how many wins fans expected over the remaining 14 games, a wild 53% predicted “10 or 11” and another 6% went for “12 or more.”
High Hopes Despite the Early Stumble
Do the math on that: if the Rams hit those fan expectations, they’d finish the season somewhere between an 11-6 and an eye-popping 15-2. Seriously? That’s a massive turnaround from their current 1-2 record. Remember, before the season even kicked off, everyone had the Rams pegged as NFC West favorites, expecting at least 13 wins, with FanDuel putting them at 12-5. Now, they’re 3.5-point favorites against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, and a win there would at least start moving them back toward that 12-5 mark. It’s a huge game, a real test to see if those fan expectations have any legs at all.
There’s definitely some hope for reinforcements coming down the pipeline too, which could explain the fans’ belief. If Myles Garrett gets back on the field sooner rather than later, and if Puka Nacua can stay healthy and suit up, then yeah, maybe the Rams really do get stronger in the back half of the season, which totally happens in the NFL sometimes. But man, the fact that fans still believe in a strong 2026 season for this squad, even after the start they’ve had? That’s pure hope talking. Can they actually deliver? That’s the million-dollar question right now.
Franchise Direction: A Cloud of Concern
But here’s the kicker: even with all that optimism about the win total, there’s a fair amount of concern brewing about the overall direction of the Rams’ franchise. It’s a weird contradiction, right? Fans expect wins but are still worried about where the team is actually headed. Garrett’s been hurt, Nacua hasn’t even suited up, and let’s be real, this team hasn’t looked like the powerhouse everyone expected back in August. It’s not a shock that the level of concern reflects that. I mean, they went from being called Super Bowl favorites to now having people question if they can even win their own division. That’s a huge drop-off in perception, and it’s fair for fans to be worried. The San Francisco 49ers, through three weeks, look like they might be the best team in the NFC, not the Rams. That’s gotta sting.
And then there’s the backup quarterback situation. They’ve got Ty Simpson, who could be their QB of the future, but what about Stetson Bennett? Could he get moved? Probably not, especially with other backup signal callers potentially available. Most fans surveyed think a backup QB is worth a Day 3 pick, but it’s tough to see Bennett fetching anything more than a seventh-rounder if he were to go. So, don’t hold your breath on a big trade there, but it’s definitely something teams are always monitoring.
What’s Next?
While the Rams’ 1-2 start isn’t great, they aren’t the only ones stumbling. The Los Angeles Chargers have been a “massive disappointment,” and you’ve got teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans sitting at 0-3. So, yeah, the Rams aren’t in the absolute worst shape compared to everyone else, but that doesn’t excuse their own struggles. The big one is this weekend against the Eagles. Can they start shifting that confidence meter and prove those 10+ win predictions aren’t totally insane? We’ll find out soon enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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