The commencement of the 2024 National Football League season is imminent, with fewer than three weeks remaining. Thirty-two NFL teams are finalizing their arrangements for a 17-game regular season and, optimistically, aiming for a successful journey to the Super Bowl.
Despite significant coaching changes and the departure of eight-time Pro Bowler Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams supporters are cautiously hopeful about their team’s prospects of making a postseason run.
Is this excitement unfounded, or might the Rams potentially produce an upset and play a crucial part in determining the location of the Vince Lombardi Trophy this season? Let’s look at the Los Angeles Rams playoff early, hoping to find out.
Concerns: Defense & Health
Despite the loss of Aaron Donald, widely regarded as the most excellent defender ever, the Rams are optimistic that they have adequately replenished their defensive lineup and will compete at their highest level. The Rams’ defensive powers will be the primary concern as the season approaches in a few weeks.
After Donald’s retirement, Jordan Fuller left for Carolina. As a result, the team needs to find replacements for 147 tackles, eight sacks, and a player with excellent interception skills like Fuller. Not forgetting that defensive lineman Jonah Williams, center Coleman Shelton, and quarterback Carson Wentz all left the offense.
Los Angeles effectively filled the void left by Fuller by acquiring cornerbacks Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White, as well as safety Kamren Curl. Last year, Williams had four interceptions and 19 pass deflections while playing for Jacksonville, while Curl managed five pass deflections and 108 tackles.
The Rams’ primary concern is their defensive performance, but their offense is somewhat troublesome, primarily due to injuries affecting key players.
The Rams now face injuries to about 50% of their starting offensive players, specifically Alaric Jackson, Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, Jonah Jackson, and Rob Havenstein. These are three linemen and the team’s most exceptional young playmakers, and hopefully, these players will be available for Week 1. However, it is worth noting that Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford, who are both thirty-plus, have had recent difficulties maintaining full fitness throughout whole seasons.
The Rams’ offensive success depends heavily on the team’s health and well-being. Running back Kyren Williams, who has achieved All-Pro status, has experienced many injuries throughout his initial two seasons. Additionally, Puka Nacua is presently contending with a knee ailment. It is anticipated that he will be prepared for Week 1, and it has to be seen if all aspects of the game, particularly the key players, can be prepared for 17 games and more if postseason success is obtained.
Defensive Positives: The D-Line
As previously stated, the Rams experienced the departure of their Hall of Fame running back, Aaron Donald, due to retirement. Although they made significant efforts to modify the lineup, they mainly depended on inexperienced players, including rookies and second-year athletes.
Verse and Fiske are now joined by second-year rushers Kobie Turner and Byron Young, who both had exceptional seasons with a combined total of 17 sacks. This line can potentially become one of the most outstanding in the league. However, their rapid progress is vital to the Rams’ success this season, especially with such a difficult schedule for the first five weeks.
Starting Road Trips Galore
The Los Angeles Rams will encounter a critical test in the early stages of the 2024 NFL season with three of five games on the road, all against quality opposition.
- Week 1 vs. Detroit Lions (Road Game)
- Week 2 vs. Arizona Cardinals (Road Game)
- Week 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers (Home Game)
- Week 4 vs. Chicago Bears (Road Game)
- Week 5 vs. Green Bay Packers (Home Game)
You’ll notice that the Los Angeles Rams will have three out of their first five games scheduled away from their home stadium, which is always an unfavorable season start. This five-game stretch constitutes around 29% of the season, making it crucial for the squad to begin on a positive note. In addition, three out of their initial five games are scheduled against franchises that made the playoffs in 2023.
Last year, the Lions, Green Bay, the 49ers, and the Green Bay Packers all qualified for the postseason. In the Wild Card Round, the Lions defeated the Rams. Furthermore, we should not underestimate the potential of the Arizona Cardinals or the Chicago Bears. I have a positive outlook for the Cardinals in 2024, a team that could increase its number of wins from 2023 by two-fold since their problem last year was not coaching but rather a significant deficiency in quality, which was amended during the offseason.
Sportsbook: Super Bowl Odds 2024
Bookmakers are keenly aware of the teams with the highest probability of winning the Super Bowl. According to the best online NFL betting sites, the Rams are given odds of +3000 to win Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, which translates to a 3.2% probability. Undoubtedly, the Rams are more likely to create an unexpected win than that, don’t they?
The departure of many Rams’ coaching staff members for the Atlanta Falcons has unsettled the oddsmakers this year. Raheem Morris was appointed as the head coach of the Falcons, and he brought Jimmy Lake and Zac Robinson with him to Atlanta. Eric Henderson has left to join the USC Trojans, while Jeremy Springer has recently become a member of the New England Patriots.
The downsides to LA Rams playoff hopes are apparent, but it isn’t all doom and gloom.
Standout Rookies and New Arrivals
Puka Nucua, a rookie wide receiver selected in the fifth round, returns from a great season. He concluded last year with 105 catches and 1,486 yards, establishing a new record for rookies in the NFL. In addition, he was fourth in the NFL for receiving yards and ninth overall for touchdowns.
Kyren Williams has shown exceptional performances thus far. Despite minimal use in his inaugural season, the running back exhibited a remarkable performance by accumulating 1,144 rushing yards, leading the league with an average of 95.3 yards per game, and achieving 12 rushing touchdowns. Not forgetting, Williams accumulated 32 receptions for 206 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Seasoned quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo agreed to a one-year contract following his release by the Las Vegas Raiders, who terminated his original three-year, $67.5 million agreement after only one year. Despite Garoppolo’s suspension for two games due to a violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, he is skilled as a backup to Stafford at the quarterback position.
The most thrilling new acquisitions are undoubtedly the defensive pair of Braden Fiske and Jared Verse. Fiske and Verse were members of the Florida State Seminoles squad with a remarkable 13-1 record in 2023. The Rams chose Verse as the 19th overall selection in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, marking their first first-round pick since Jared Goff in 2016. Verse is a promising candidate for 2024, and although he cannot replace Donald, he may assist in filling the void created by the loss of this legend.
Conclusion: Can the Rams Make a Playoff Run?
Undoubtedly! Although they face challenging opponents at home, several winnable games could lead to a double-digit number of games won by the end of the regular season.
Cooper Kupp has unequivocally expressed his readiness to return to the field, and he and Nacua have the potential to form the most exceptional wide receiver pair in the NFL. I appreciate Jared Verse’s worth as the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, given his excellent compatibility with the Rams’ system and potential to be a draft steal. Lastly, if Stafford can remain fit, the Rams squad has the potential to embark on a successful run similar to what we saw from the Packers last year.
The Rams squad is characterized by its young players. Although the team’s defense has specific weaknesses, its offensive prowess is expected to cause significant disruption throughout the upcoming season.
The primary objective of this season is to achieve a winning record and make a strong playoff run, which will instill optimism among supporters for the next 2025 campaign. The present lineup is very capable of doing this.
