The Los Angeles Rams, who everyone pegged as historically heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl at the start of the year, are absolutely floundering, sitting among the NFL’s early-season bottom feeders with a brutal 1-2 start.
This Is Not The Team We Expected
Yeah, on paper, The Athletic says they still have a 70% chance of reaching the postseason, and their -250 odds to make the playoffs sound okay. But let’s be real: the Buffalo Bills have already blown past them as the betting favorite to win it all, and the way the Rams got to 1-2? It’s been rough. First off, they messed up their travel plans to Australia, then got absolutely drilled by the San Francisco 49ers down under. Then this past Sunday, it was a gut-punching loss to the Denver Broncos. They blew a massive 16-0 lead, and then a questionable defensive pass interference call late in the game helped seal their fate. Head Coach Sean McVay even apologized to local media for bailing early after that Denver loss. He’s trying to find the positive, saying, “The only real growth occurs through some of these adverse moments, and you certainly don’t want it. I know this; we’ve talked a lot about it, and this is when you get a chance to lean in. I love the resiliency of this group.” But come on, maybe he should be looking at the negatives a little harder.
Father Time Catches Up With Stafford and The Roster
I mean, I actually called it in the offseason that the Rams wouldn’t make the postseason. I walked that back after they brought in Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald unretired, but man, those original concerns are screaming right now. We’re talking an aging roster, top to bottom. Then you’ve got Matthew Stafford, 38 years old, coming off what was statistically his best year. Natural regression? It’s hitting hard. Remember watching Stafford wince after throwing that interception and trying to tackle Denver safety Talanoa Hufanga on his return for a score? That flashed me right back to their 5-12 Super Bowl hangover year in 2021 when Stafford got dinged with a back injury and missed half the season. It’s why L.A. grabbed Ty Simpson with a first-round pick, right? Stafford insists he’s fine, saying “A little elbow, but I came back and threw the ball the rest of the game and I was fine.” But let’s be honest, he’s looked his age this season, not playing at that MVP level he performed at a year. Plus, this team’s got one of the toughest schedules in the league and the second-most travel miles. That’s a brutal combo for an aging squad.
So, the Rams might have those “70% playoff chances” hanging out there, but with this kind of play and their quarterback looking like Father Time is finally catching up, they need a serious turnaround. They were supposed to be Super Bowl heavy favorites, not battling to stay out of the basement.
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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