February 13th, 2022. That was the day of Super Bowl LVI. As I was getting ready to reveal who I had winning the Super Bowl, I remember saying if the Los Angeles Rams didn’t win a Super Bowl between that night and the next two years, they would be considered a bust because of all the talent they acquired to get over the top. They traded away many of their draft picks to win now and stack the team up. They acquired Matthew Stafford last off-season, then during the season, they acquired Von Miller from the Denver Broncos. Almost a week later, they signed Odell Beckham Jr after the Cleveland Browns released him. The Rams did indeed win the Super Bowl over the Cincinnati Bengals back in February. As usual, it’s tough to keep a team together after winning a title. Coming into this year, the Rams were a heavy favorite to win the NFC West and represent the conference in the Super Bowl. This year, they’ve struggled to get much of anything going. What exactly is going on?
This offense isn’t scaring teams as they did once before. Last year, they had so much depth and you had to worry about three or four guys down the field and that’s Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Tyler Highbee and Odell. When Robert tore his ACL, that’s where Odell stepped in, and defenses had their hands full. This year, I don’t see that same fire with the Rams offense. It’s one guy that does anything and that’s Cooper once again. Allen Robinson was signed to be that other weapon alongside Cooper, and it hasn’t panned out. He almost looks lost out there. The Rams have always been able to run the football and get downhill. I don’t even see that anymore. Their Offensive Line has also been a disappointment. Losing Andrew Whitworth hasn’t helped their cause one bit. He was their leader up front and kept everyone in check on that line. Every time I see Matthew Stafford drop back to throw the ball; he’s scared for his life because the protection has broken down. When he’s running for his life, he heaves the ball up just to get rid of it and that unfortunately results in an interception. It’s almost as if Sean McVay has been figured out. He was labeled as this offensive genius, and I haven’t seen him change anything up.
Their defense isn’t as punishing as it’s known to be. Last season, they could get home to the Quarterback with ease, and this was even before they got Von Miller. Now, they’ve struggled to apply any type of pressure at all. They don’t get home unless they blitz, and you see how much of an impact Von had on that defensive front. Leonard Floyd was expected to take the next step in replacing Von and he hasn’t been getting the job done. Your best pass rusher shouldn’t be Aaron Donald who plays on the interior of the Defensive Line. His main responsibility is to stop the run. Look at the other teams around the league, more so in the NFC. The Eagles get after it with multiple guys, the Cowboys throw different looks at people, Tampa Bay can get home when they want too, the same can be said about the Packers and the 49ers physically dominate up front in the trenches. I can’t say the same about the Rams. I also see teams attacking their secondary left and right. Jalen Ramsey is the best Cornerback in the league, but he can give up a big play or two here and there. Quarterbacks don’t hesitate to throw at him.
Every game moving forward for them is a must win. The Offensive Line must be better, Stafford has to do better with taking care of the football and the defense must find its pass rush soon or they’ll be watching the playoffs from their couch like the rest of us.
