The Los Angeles Rams ended the 2017 NFL season as arguably the league’s most surprising team. Needless to say, they are no longer sneaking up on anybody after finishing with the NFL’s highest-scoring offense.
That said, Los Angeles was expected to be one of the serious contenders going into the playoffs — or so fans thought. According to ESPN’s Mike Sando, a panel of four NFL executives ranked the Rams as the seventh-best team in the postseason:
1. New England Patriots (13-3)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
3. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
4. Minnesota Vikings (13-3)
5. Carolina Panthers (11-5)
T-5. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
7. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
8. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)
11. Tennessee Titans (9-7)
12. Buffalo Bills (9-7)
The ranking may come as a bit of a surprise considering the year that Los Angeles has enjoyed. Despite all the negative speculation going into the year, the Rams have managed to turn the offense from worst to first in nearly every major category.
They were even ranked behind the Atlanta Falcons, whom they are set to meet in the NFC Wild Card Round. That said, their rating may have come as a disappointment. Whether it is the lack of faith in the youth movement going on in Los Angeles, or simply just a lack of respect, the Rams can use it as fuel for their first playoff run in over a decade.
