The Los Angeles Rams just became the heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl. Seriously, this team is looking absolutely stacked after future Hall of Famer and three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald came out of retirement on Sunday, joining Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Garrett was already a huge trade acquisition for L.A. back in June, and adding Donald to that defense? It’s a game-changer that has the entire league buzzing.
It’s hard not to look at these Rams and think back to the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles, a team backup QB Vince Young infamously called a “Dream Team” during training camp. That Eagles squad was loaded with Pro Bowlers: Michael Vick at quarterback, running back LeSean McCoy, receiver DeSean Jackson, defensive end Jason Babin, and cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. High expectations were everywhere, but they utterly imploded, starting the year 4-8 and missing the playoffs entirely with an 8-8 record. Woefully short of meeting the hype. The source article flat out says the Rams are “this year’s version of that group.” That’s a bold comparison, but with the talent they’ve amassed, it’s easy to see why the expectations are sky-high.
What Winning With Star Power Really Looks Like
Now, not every “loaded” roster ends up like the 2011 Eagles. You can have immense talent and still win big. The source takes a closer look at some of the most loaded rosters since 2000, where winning and player talent level matter. Take a look at two recent Super Bowl champions. The Philadelphia Eagles, in a different year, made quick work of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to snag head coach Nick Sirianni’s first Super Bowl win. Jalen Hurts completely outplayed Mahomes and took home the Super Bowl MVP. Saquon Barkley had an all-time season, topping 2,000 yards in the regular season, and their offensive line, led by Lane Johnson, was one of the best in the league. That team finished 14-3, tied for the most wins in franchise history during the regular season, boasted six Pro Bowlers, and defeated teams by an average of 14 points a game, including an 18-point beatdown of the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Then there’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tom Brady moved on from New England to join Bruce Arians in Tampa, bringing Rob Gronkowski out of retirement with him. They added running back Leonard Fournette and receiver Antonio Brown in free agency, joining an already stacked roster that included Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, Chris Godwin, Antoine Winfield Jr., Devin White, Lavonte David, Shaquill Barrett, Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Ronald Jones II. This group was 11-5, got an NFC wild-card spot, and became the first team to win the Lombardi Trophy in their home stadium, keeping the Chiefs from repeating with a lopsided 31-9 victory. Even the Chiefs themselves, with Mahomes, broke through for their first Super Bowl under Andy Reid, proving talent can absolutely lead to trophies.
The Stakes Are Real For The Rams Now
So, the Rams are packing some serious firepower. With Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett anchoring that defense, and the sheer talent already on the roster, the question isn’t whether they’re good, it’s if they can avoid the “Dream Team” curse of the past. The league is officially on notice. Every game from here on out, all eyes will be on L.A. to see if they can live up to the unprecedented hype and make a deep run for the Lombardi. It’s going to be wild to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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