NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
The Los Angeles Rams found a way to kick it up a notch at the end of the 2024 season. Maybe it was finding an extra gear or maybe it was the fact they finally got healthier towards the end of the season. Whatever the case may be, they finished the season winning 6 of their last 8 games to push them to 10-7 and a spot in the NFC Wildcard Round. They’d go on to win in lopsided fashion against a strong Minnesota Vikings team but eventually lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Division Round.
A healthy Rams offense found a way to close out the season, but it wasn’t without struggle. While they do have plenty of young talent to provide a spark, is the window closing for Matthew Stafford to get another Super Bowl ring? As stated earlier, it took the Rams a bit to get healthy this season and that was what pushed them to contender status, but some concerns need to be addressed.
One of those question marks is Matthew Stafford. While he’s been relatively healthy and has shown no signs of slowing down, his career won’t outlast his younger teammates. He’s got two quality receivers in the huddle who both can make defenses pay. However, Cooper Kupp will turn 32 before the season starts and missed 12 games this season, and hasn’t played a full season since 2021. Puca Nacua was a great addition as well but he only played 11 games last season, although it was his only season he missed time of the two he’s played. Kyren Williams had a great season at the running back position but was only able to pick up slightly better stats despite playing four extra games over the previous year.
All those things on their own aren’t a major concern but putting them all together shows that while the Rams got it together in the end, it didn’t take much for the wheels to come off early on. They have players in place who can compete and win football games, but a lot has to go right in order for it to not go wrong. There’s too much reliability on the top of the roster and not enough in the depth and role players.
Yet that’s not the biggest concern for the Los Angeles Rams. Where they’re really lacking is on the defensive side of the football. Oh how much they must be missing Aaron Darnold. This once-feared defense ranked 22nd in rush yards allowed per game. Without pressure upfront getting sacks and without a lockdown DB in Jalen Ramsey, the Rams ranked 26th in passing yards allowed per game. The offense might need some re-tooling but the defense is in full-on rebuild mode. To be fair to LA, they did manage 13 interceptions and 7 fumbles so they created opportunities but it was the moments in between they were unable to slow opponents down.
The NFC is getting tougher and no one knows just how many more chances this current Los Angeles Rams team will get. Will they be able to attack free agency and hit big on the draft to keep up with the rest of the conference?
