Los Angeles Rams Preview and Prediction

Team Preview

The Rams come off a 4-12 season last year, the first year the team has played in Los Angeles since 1994. The finish was the franchise's worst since a 2-14 campaign in 2011.

Like so many teams finishing near the bottom of the league, the Rams had issues at quarterback. Case Keenun, who is now with the Minnesota Vikings, led the Rams with 2,201 passing yards and nine touchdowns but also tossed 11 interceptions. 2016 first overall pick Jared Goff threw for 1,089 yards and five scores while being intercepted seven times. The job appears to be Goff's to lose this season, with Sean Mannion serving as the backup.

The problem did not fall solely on the Rams' QB's last year, though. The offensive line was among the worst in the league, allowing 49 sacks; only the Cleveland Browns allowed more (66). The team did go out and sign former Cincinnati Bengal Andrew Whitworth and Washington Redskin John Sullivan. An improved o-line would not only help a young quarterback settle in, but also get the running game going.

Last year, the Rams had just 1,252 rushing yards, the second lowest amount in the NFL. 2015 first-rounder Todd Gurley will receive a bulk of the carries again this season after a 885-yard, six-touchdown campaign a year ago. Behind Gurley, the Rams really do not have any experienced backs. Former Dallas Cowboy Lance Dunbar figures to handle whatever carries Gurley does not get, but Malcolm Brown and Aaron Green could also earn a few carries throughout the year.

At wide receiver, the Rams can now look to Sammy Watkins after making a trade with the Buffalo Bills during the preseason. Watkins, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft, played in all 16 games as a rookie. Since then, Watkins has played in just 21 games the past two seasons. Joining Watkins in the receiving corps are former Bill Robert Woods, Tavon Austin and 2017 third round pick Cooper Kupp. All should see time on the field and I believe Kupp could turn into a starter opposite Watkins or a real threat out of the slot position. The Rams also have a couple of young tight ends, 2016 fourth-rounder Tyler Higbee and 2017 second-rounder Gerald Everett, that could also see quite a few targets, especially in the red zone.

On defense, the Rams are led by the talented lineman Aaron Donald. But as you all know, Donald has been a holdout this season. The news gets worse, as new reports say Donald's holdout may last into the upcoming season. It's obviously a huge blow for a defense that ranked in the top-10 in terms of yards allowed last season. If Donald does miss any games, the likes of Ethan Westbrooks, Michael Brockers and 2017 sixth round pick Tanzel Smart would lead the way on the defensive line.

A position of strength is the Rams' linebackers. Alec Ogletree led the team last year with 136 total tackles. The other half of the middle linebacker duo is converted safety Mark Barron, who added 118 total tackles last year and was then rewarded with a five-year, $45 million contract. Robert Quinn and former Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin will provide pressure on the opposing QB from the outside linebacker slots. Newly-drafted fourth-rounder Samson Ebukam and seventh-rounder Ejuan Price will serve as position depth at OLB.

The Rams' secondary will have to adjust to life without E.J. Gaines, who was dealt in the Watkins' deal. Cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Kayvon Webster are expected to be the starters while Nickell Robey-Coleman and Troy Hill provide depth. Lamarcus Joyner moves from CB to safety this season after recording 66 total tackles last year. Mo Alexander figures to start at the other safety position while 2017 third-rounder John Johnson could push for that spot sometime in the future.

2017-18 Schedule/Predictions 1 - vs Indianapolis Colts (L) 2 - vs Washington Redskins (L) 3 - at San Francisco 49ers (L) 4 - at Dallas Cowboys (L) 5 - vs Seattle Seahawks (W) 6 - at Jacksonville Jaguars (W) 7 - vs Arizona Cardinals (L) 8 - BYE 9 - at New York Giants (L) 10 - vs Houston Texans (W) 11 - at Minnesota Vikings (L) 12 - vs New Orleans Saints (L) 13 - at Arizona Cardinals (L) 14 - vs Philadelphia Eagles (L) 15 - at Seattle Seahawks (L) 16 - at Tennessee Titans (L) 17 - vs San Francisco 49ers (W)

Season Record: 4-12, 2-4 NFC West

Goff appears to be the quarterback the Rams want as the franchise starter. If the Rams want Goff to be successful, the first thing the team needs to do is sure up the offensive line. Once that is set, Goff, or whatever QB comes in, should have a decent running game behind him and plenty of targets in the passing game. While there are winnable games on the schedule, I do not see the Rams pulling too many upsets this season. That means this season will be one in which the Rams hope to have their young players keep improving to prepare for a potentially brighter future. Expect the Los Angeles Rams to be competitive though, especially if Donald plays.

Next NFC Team Up - Minnesota Vikings

Sources not listed in article: ESPN - stats; Ourlads - depth chart; Playoff Predictors - schedule/record projections.

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