NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams begin the 2023 season on the road taking on their division rivals Seattle Seahawks. The Rams look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season where they finished 5-12, the worst record for a defending Superbowl champion in league history. The Rams made a lot of roster moves this past off-season to get under the league salary cap. Gone are the likes of Bobby Wagner, A’Shawn Robinson, Matt Gay, Jalen Ramsey, and Leonard Floyd, to name a few. This season, the Rams will have one of the youngest rosters in the league. Team health will be a key to the Rams success this season as they look to avoid the injury bug that hit the team last season.
Rams Offense
Matthew Stafford returns for his 3rd season as the Rams starting quarterback. In 2022, Stafford was limited to just 9 games due to multiple injuries. In those 9 games, Stafford passed for 2087 yards with 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Stafford will look to do a better job at protecting the football. Having a healthy Stafford under center for the entire season will be a key for the success of the Rams offense. Serving as Stafford’s backup will be rookie Stetson Bennett out of the University of Georgia.
Cam Akers returns as the Rams starting running back. Akers got off to a slow start in 2022 but finished the year strong, rushing for 410 yards with 3 touchdowns in the final 4 games of the 2022 season. Akers will look to build on the end of last season. Look for Kyren Williams and rookie Zack Evans to see time in the Rams backfield.
The Rams received disappointing news this week when the team announced WR Cooper Kupp will not be activated for the week due to a hamstring injury he suffered during training camp. Coach Sean McVay stated that there is a possibility Kupp could end up on IR with this injury. Look for WR Ben Skowronek to take Kupp’s spot in the starting lineup. In the Rams 3 receiver formations, Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell are expected to be the starters on the outside with rookie Puka Nacua and newcomer Demarcus Robinson expected to see playing time. Tyler Higbee returns as the Rams starting TE and figures to be a key piece in the Rams passing attack against Seattle.
The offensive line will be a focal point the entire season for the Rams. In 2022, the unit allowed 59 sacks, with Stafford accounting for 29 sacks. Injuries hit the offensive line hard in 2022, with only RT Rob Havenstein playing the entire season. Joseph Noteboom returns this year at LT after missing most of 2022 with an injury. Noteboom will be looked upon to protect Stafford’s blind side in pass protection. Rookie Steve Avila earned the starting LG spot in training camp and has shown tremendous promise in both run blocking and pass protection. At TCU last season, Avila did not allow a single sack and Rams will be looking for Avila to bring those skills to the offensive line. At the end of training camp, the Rams made a trade with the Pittsburg Steelers, acquiring offensive lineman Kevin Dotson. At this time, Dotson is listed 2nd on the depth chart, though he is expected to see playing time. The Rams’ offense to be effective, the Rams need their running game to generate positive yards. This allows the Rams to use play-action passing, which is a staple in Coach McVay’s offense. Look for the Rams to try and establish the running game early. The Rams offensive linemen need to stay on their blocks longer to open running lanes for Akers and company.
Rams Defense
Aaron Donald returns looking to bounce back from an injury-riddled 2022 season. Jonah Williams and Bobby Brown III are expected to start alongside Donald on the defensive line with Earnest Brown IV and Kobie Turner expected to be in the defensive line rotation. When healthy, Donald consistently draws double and triple teams, which allows the other defensive lineman the opportunity to plug up inside running lanes and bring inside pressure on Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. Last season, Smith had a stellar year passing for 4282 yards with 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Smith is still a threat running the ball, rushing for 366 yards last season. Look for Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris to scheme to keep Smith inside the pocket. The Rams’ exterior defensive lineman will need to maintain outside containment on Smith while the defense brings pressure up the middle.
Ernest Jones returns to anchor the Rams linebackers. With Bobby Wagner returning to Seattle, Christian Rozeboom fills the starting spot alongside Jones at inside linebacker. Jones and Rozeboom will be key in plugging up inside running lanes to contain the Seahawks’ rushing attack. Rookie Byron Young takes over the edge rusher/outside linebacker spot with the departure of Leonard Floyd. Michael Hoecht returns as the starting right outside linebacker position. Young and Hoecht will need to maintain outside containment and force the Seahawks’ running backs to the inside where the Rams pursuit can make the play. The linebackers will need to get off their blocks and maintain proper pursuit angles to slow down the Seahawks’ offense.
Cornerbacks Derion Kendrick and Ahkello Witherspoon will be tasked with defending the Seahawks 1-2 punch of Tyler Lockett and DJ Metcalf at WR. Look for safeties Jordan Fuller and Russ Yeast to provide over-the-top coverage to blanket the Seahawks receivers. John Johnson III returns to the Rams after playing in Cleveland last season and is expected to see considerable playing time in the secondary. Rookie defensive back Tre Tomlinson is also expected to see time in the Rams nickel and dime coverages.
Prediction
The Rams will look to start the 2023 season on a strong note. Fans can expect to see improvement along the offensive line in both pass protection and run blocking. In the end, the Seahawks will have just a little too much for the Rams.
Seahawks 24
Rams. 20
