The Los Angeles Rams are entering 2026 as heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl, and honestly, after what they did this offseason, it is easy to see why. These guys were already one of the NFL’s best teams, and get this: they lost twice to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seahawks in 2025 by a combined four points. Yeah, two games they had legitimate chances to win against *our* guys! While Seattle lost several key contributors this offseason, the Rams went out and significantly upgraded their biggest weakness: defense.
LA’s Stacked Defense Is No Joke
Talk about a glow-up! The Rams’ defense in 2025 was decent, allowing the 16th-most yards per game and the 14th-most passing yards per game. Not bad, but not exactly championship-caliber. Now? They just acquired the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Myles Garrett and two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. On top of that, they brought back franchise sack leader Aaron Donald. Seriously, Garrett, McDuffie, and Donald all on the same defensive line and secondary? Good luck finding a weakness on that side of the ball. It is an absolute monster. And their offense? They are bringing back the entire unit that led the NFL in scoring and total offense last season. They also ranked first in pass plays of 20-plus yards and third in big plays. The Rams were already loaded, but with that defensive overhaul, their preseason roster is arguably one of the best in recent NFL history.
Chargers Are a Sleeper Pick to Watch
Do not sleep on the Chargers, though. These guys won 11 games last season despite getting absolutely hammered by injuries to their offensive line. Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending injury in training camp, and Joe Alt went down in Week 4, came back in Week 8, only to get hit with another ankle injury in Week 9 that ended his year. Two of the best offensive tackles in the NFL, gone for most of the season, and they *still* won 11 games and made the playoffs! Now, both Slater and Alt are expected to be back in 2026, giving Los Angeles what could be the best tackle duo in football. Plus, they brought in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who is already reshaping the offense around Justin Herbert. Imagine Herbert in McDaniel’s system, behind a fully healthy Slater and Alt! We have seen what McDaniel’s system did with Tua Tagovailoa, so put Herbert in there, and watch out. They are sitting at +1700 to win the Super Bowl, and that feels like a steal for a team that looked like one of the best in football at times last year. Oh, and two words for the Bears: Ben Johnson.
The 2026 NFL season is kicking off with some wild storylines already in play, and these teams are absolutely front and center. It is going to be a blast watching how it all unfolds!
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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