The defending Super Bowl champions aren’t getting the full respect they deserve after last year’s triumph. The Los Angeles Rams have the third-best odds to win the NFC after Tampa Bay and Green Bay even though they are bringing back virtually all of their stars from last year’s Lombardi Trophy winning lineup. Future Hall of Fame defenders Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey are back to pace the defense, while Matt Stafford still has NFL Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp to target in the passing game. They also have one of the game’s best young head coaches in Sean McVay, so this team should contend once more in 2022.
Los Angeles Rams Season Win Total
Over 10.5 Wins -124
Under 10.5 Wins +104
2022 Los Angeles Rams Schedule
| WEEK |
MATCHUP |
| 1 |
Vs. Buffalo Bills |
| 2 |
Vs. Atlanta Falcons |
| 3 |
@ Arizona Cardinals |
| 4 |
@ San Francisco 49ers |
| 5 |
Vs. Dallas Cowboys |
| 6 |
Vs. Carolina Panthers |
| 7 |
BYE WEEK |
| 8 |
Vs. San Francisco 49ers |
| 9 |
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 10 |
Vs. Arizona Cardinals |
| 11 |
@ New Orleans Saints |
| 12 |
@ Kansas City Chiefs |
| 13 |
Vs. Seatle Seahawks |
| 14 |
Vs. Las Vegas Raiders |
| 15 |
@ Green Bay Packers |
| 16 |
Vs. Denver Broncos |
| 17 |
@ Los Angeles Chargers |
| 18 |
@ Seattle Seahawks |
Los Angeles Rams Offense
It turns out that the Los Angeles Rams only needed a quarterback in order to win a Super Bowl. McVay proved that he was right to want to move on from Jared Goff as Matthew Stafford was a much better signal caller in his first season with a new offense. The Rams traded Goff, two first-round picks, and a third-round pick to the Lions for Stafford last January, and that move paid immediate dividends. Stafford was one of the league’s leading passers and came through when the Rams needed him to in the postseason. He completed 70% of his passes for 1,188 yards (8.5 YPA) with nine touchdowns and three interceptions in the playoffs to lead the Rams to their first title in Los Angeles.
The ground game was a major disappointment in 2021 as Cam Akers dealt with major injuries again. Sony Michel and Darrell Henderson Jr. split time in the backfield, but neither player was the effective. Akers will be the go-to back again in 2022, but the Rams drafted Kyren Williams as a back-up option.
These receivers should be some of the best in the league. Cooper Kupp was the top wide out in the NFL in 2021, nearly setting a league record with his production. Odell Beckham Jr. may or may not return this season, but the Rams did bring in underrated Allen Robinson II and Van Jefferson should see a lot more passes in his second season.
This offensive line is simply average after the retirement of veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Joe Noteboom will replace Whitworth in protecting Stafford’s blind side, but this is the position group with the most questions on offense.
Los Angeles Rams Defense
Two of the five best players in the league are on this defense. There is no disputing that Aaron Donald is the most dominant defensive player in the NFL. Donald has been absolutely dominant for a defensive tackle, regularly drawing double and triple teams from opponents. Regardless, he has recorded at least 11 sacks in five straight years, leading to seven First Team All-Pro selections and three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. That attention frees up Leonard Floyd to get to the quarterback.
The star of the secondary is Jalen Ramsey. The Rams traded a lot of draft capital to acquire Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Ramsey can shut down one side of the field, and he is far more physical than the typical cornerback. Taylor Rapp has developed as a safety, and the team hopes that Jordan Fuller can keep growing into his role too.
Bobby Wagner was signed this offseason and brings an immediate presence to the second level. Wagner was one of the NFL’s best linebackers in the 2010s, and he will want to prove he still has something left in the tank.
Prediction
The schedule will be much harder for the Rams this season, but this team should be able to get to 11 wins if key players stay healthy.
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