2018 Record - 13-3-0
Head Coach - Sean McVay
Newcomers for 2019 - Clay Matthews (LB), Blake Bortles (QB), Eric Weddle (DB)
Keys on Offense - Quarterback Jared Goff put up some big numbers last season, passing for 4,688 yards with 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Running back Todd Gurley rushed for 1,251 yards (4.9 ypc average) and scored 17 rushing touchdowns. He also had 59 receptions for 580 yards and four touchdowns, giving him a total of 21 touchdowns last season. Malcolm Brown (212 rushing yards, 4.9 ypc) and rookie Darrell Henderson (Memphis) will spell Gurley in the backfield.
The Rams triplets of wide receivers Robert Woods (86 receptions for 1,219 yards and six TD), Brandin Cooks (80, 1,204, five TD) and Cooper Kupp (40, 566, six TD in ten games) are among the best in the entire NFL. Tight ends Gerald Everett (33, 320, three TD) and Tyler Higbee (24, 292, two TD) for a solid duo for Goff to throw to.
Keys on Defense - NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald had a league high 20 1/2 QB sacks last season and leads the front line at defensive tackle. Linebacker Cory Littleton had four sacks and three interceptions (including one for a touchdown) and will play alongside Samson Ebukam, Dante Fowler, Jr. and Clay Matthews, who joins the team after ten season with the Green Bay Packers.
The secondary is stacked with corners Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters (three INT, one for TD) and safeties John Johnson (four picks) and 13-year veteran Eric Weddle, who comes over from Baltimore this season. Troy Hill (two INT) is another defensive back along with nickel back Nickell Robey-Coleman the team counts on. Rookie Taylor Rapp (Washington) will get time at safety as well.
The Rams had 41 sacks last season and picked off 18 passes while having a plus-11 in the turnover category. They ranked 19th in total defense last season, giving up 359 yards per game while ranking 20th in scoring defense, giving up 24 points per game.
OUTLOOK - After making it to the Super Bowl (although in a controversial manner in their NFC Championship Game victory at New Orleans involving a non call on obvious pass interference in the closing minutes) the Rams want to get back there and win the game this time.
Head Coach Sean McVay is entering his third season with the team and they showed big time improvement last season after a disappointing finish to the 2017 season in the playoffs.
Jared Goff put up big numbers last year and with a healthy (RB) Todd Gurley in tow this year along with (WR) Cooper Kupp (knee injury limited him to ten games in 2018) joining the other two wideouts, the Rams offense could once again be nearly unstoppable. As long as the main players are healthy, this team will once again light up the scoreboards all season long.
Los Angeles averaged 32.9 points per game last season (second in NFL) while also finishing second in total offense, averaging 421 yards per game. The Rams averaged 139 yards rushing (3rd) and 282 passing yards per game, which ranked fifth in the NFL.
The defense needs to play more consistently after allowing more than 30 points in a game six times last season. Getting (LB) Matthews and (DB) Weddle into the mix with a core of veterans should strengthen the defense, which played well in the Super Bowl loss to New England, holding the high powered Patriots offense to only 13 points.
All in all, look for the Rams to win the NFC West again while finishing 11-5 this time around as the schedule looks to be much tougher, especially in the early going. The Super Bowl is not out of reach for this team and if they do get there, they might just win it all this time.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Carolina
Week 2 - vs. New Orleans
Week 3 - at Cleveland
Week 4 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 5 - at Seattle
Week 6 - vs. San Francisco
Week 7 - at Atlanta
Week 8 - vs. Cincinnati (in London)
Week 9 - BYE
Week 10 - at Pittsburgh
Week 11 - vs. Chicago
Week 12 - vs. Baltimore
Week 13 - at Arizona
Week 14 - vs. Seattle
Week 15 - at Dallas
Week 16 - at San Francisco
Week 17 - vs. Arizona
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