LOS ANGELES RAMS
2020 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - Sean McVay
Key Additions - Matthew Stafford (QB), DeSean Jackson (WR)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Matthew Stafford was traded to the Rams for Jared Goff and draft picks, so he is the new man in town this season. Stafford passed for 4,084 yards last year with 26 touchdowns and ten interceptions. John Wolford will back him up at quarterback.
The running back spots have Darnell Henderson, Jr. in camp and just today the Rams acquired Sony Michel from the New England Patriots to help bolster the running game. Henderson gained 624 yards (4.5 ypc) and had five touchdowns. Michel gained 449 yards for a 5.7 ypc average and scored one touchdown. Unfortunately, Cam Akers was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. Akers accumulated 625 rushing yards last season (4.3 ypc average) and scored two touchdowns and will be missed.
The wide receivers include Cooper Kupp (92 receptions for 974 yards and three touchdowns), Robert Woods (90, 936, six TD) and DeSean Jackson, who was with Philadelphia last season. Van Jefferson and rookies Tutu Atwell (Louisville) and Jacob Harris (UCF) will be on hand as well. The tight ends are Tyler Higbee (44, 521, five TD) and Brycen Hopkins.
DEFENSE - All-Pro defensive end Aaron Donald leads the front line and he had 13 1/2 quarterback sacks a year ago. Sebastian Joseph-Day and A'Shawn Robinson will also be up front along with backups Marquise Copeland, Greg Gaines and rookie Bobby Brown III (Texas A & M). The linebackers include Leonard Floyd (10 1/2 sacks), Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Troy Reeder and Micah Kiser. Backing up will be Terrell Lewis, Travin Howard, Justin Hollins and rookie Ernest Jones (South Carolina).
Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams (four interceptions) are the cornerbacks and Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp are the safeties. Nick Scott, Terrell Burgess, David Long, Jr. and rookie Robert Rochell (Central Arkansas) round out the defensive backfield. The Rams defense was tops in pro football last season, giving up a league low 282 yards per game.
The pass defense was number one as well, allowing just 191 yards per game while the run defense allowed 91 YPG, which was third best in the NFL. The Rams gave up 18.5 points per game, which was also the best in the NFL. In addition, the Rams had 53 QB sacks and 14 interceptions.
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - With Matthew Stafford taking over at quarterback after twelve seasons with the Detroit Lions, it signals a new beginning in Los Angeles for Head Coach Sean McVay and his offense.
The Rams were eleventh overall in total offense last year, averaging 377 yards per game while scoring 23.3 points per game. the running game averaged 126 YPG (10th in NFL) while the passing game averaged 251 YPG, which ranked 13th in the league.
With Stafford leading the passing attack, the team will look to score more points as too many times last season the drives would stall out, leading to too many field goals. Turnovers were also a problem as the team had a minus-three in the turnover category. The running game was decent a year ago and now Michel is on board to tote the rock along with Henderson.
Defensively, the Rams will look to continue with a punishing attack that gets after opposing quarterbacks and can cause chaos for enemy wide receivers with the likes of Ramsey and Williams patrolling the secondary. The ball hawking mentality for the Rams fits perfectly with Aaron Donald and the front seven making problems for the opponents.
Playing in the NFC West, which is perhaps the best division in the NFL, makes it hard for the Rams to just figure on making another playoff appearance, which they have done in three of the last four seasons. Winning divisional games is crucial if they want to win the West crown this year. The Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals are all formidable foes and this season will be a dog fight for sure. As long as the key players stay healthy and the offense shows more spark, there's reason to believe. However, after barely making the post-season last year, the call is a 8-9 finish for the 2021 season.
2021 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Chicago
Week 2 - at Indianapolis
Week 3 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 4 - vs. Arizona
Week 5 - at Seattle
Week 6 - at N.Y. Giants
Week 7 - vs. Detroit
Week 8 - at Houston
Week 9 - vs. Tennessee
Week 10 - at San Francisco
Week 11 - BYE
Week 12 - at Green Bay
Week 13 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 14 - at Arizona
Week 15 - vs. Seattle
Week 16 - at Minnesota
Week 17 - at Baltimore
Week 18 - vs. San Francisco
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