LOS ANGELES RAMS
2024 Record - 10-7-0
Head Coach - Sean McVay
2024 Offensive Rank - (15th overall) - 331 YPG; Passing - 227 YPG, Rushing - 104 YPG; SCORING - 21.6 PPG (20th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (26th overall) - 353 YPG; Passing - 223 YPG (20th), Rushing - 130 (22nd); SCORING - 22.7 PPG (17th)
Key Additions for 2025 - Poona Ford (DL), Davante Adams (WR), Coleman Shelton (OL), Nate Landman (LB), Terrance Ferguson (rookie - Oregon), Jarquez Hunter (rookie - Auburn)
Key Losses for 2025 - Cooper Kupp (WR), Bobby Brown III (DL), Demarcus Robinson (WR), Christian Rozeboom (LB), Michael Hoecht (LB)
OFFENSE - Matthew Stafford will be entering his 17th NFL season at quarterback and last season for the Rams he had 3,762 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Jimmy Garoppolo is the backup quarterback. Running backs include Kyren Williams, who led the team with 1, 299 yards along with 14 touchdowns and 4.1 yards per carry average. Others in the fold are rookie Jarquez Hunter (Auburn), Blake Corum (207 rushing yards, 3.6 YPC last year) and Ronnie Rivers, who averaged 4.5 yards per carry in limited action. The wide receivers are Puka Nacua, who had 79 receptions for 990 yards and three touchdowns (in eleven games), Tutu Atwell (42, 562) and Davante Adams, who had 85 receptions for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets last year. The tight ends include Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson and rookie Terrance Ferguson (Oregon).
DEFENSE - Kobie Turner (eight QB sacks), Poona Ford and Braden Fiske (8 1/2 sacks) lead the defensive front and the linebackers are Nate Landman (80 tackles with Atlanta), Omar Speights, Jared Verse and Byron Young, who had 7 1/2 sacks last season. In the secondary, safeties Quentin Lake (111 tackles) and Karmen Curl (79 tackles) lead the way along with corners Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon. Safeties Kamren Kinchens and Jaylen McCollough each had four interceptions for a defense that collected 13 picks a year ago along with 38 sacks.
OUTLOOK - The Rams have made the playoffs numerous times since Head Coach Sean McVay took over back in 2017, including a Super Bowl title following the 2021 season. They are expecting to make the post-season yet again this year and as long as QB Matthew Stafford is able to stay healthy (back issues have been bothering him in training camp), the Rams should be good to go when January rolls around.
The team didn't put up any eye popping numbers on either side of the ball last season, but after a 1-4 start they got hot in mid season and down the stretch as well and then nearly knocked off the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in snowy conditions in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. In fact, they were outscored during the regular season, proving they were capable of winning close games, which got them into the playoffs. The offense adds veteran wide receiver Davante Adams to the mix after Cooper Kupp left for Seattle in the off-season. Adams and Puka Nacua give Stafford two consistent players to throw to this season and leading rusher Kyren Williams was a beast last season, providing the team with a good balance on offense.
If the team wants to to have sustained success this year, the defense must also step up and create turnovers again (L.A. was plus-6 last season) while improving against the run, where they ranked in the bottom third of the league. All in all, the NFC West looks to be wide open in 2025 and the Rams could make it two division titles in a row. It will not be easy, but expectations are high for the team and they should be playing in the post-season again. How far they can go will depend on Stafford and company making things happen in crunch time.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Houston
Week Two - at Tennessee
Week Three - at Philadelphia
Week Four - vs. Indianapolis
Week Five - vs. San Francisco
Week Six - at Baltimore
Week Seven - vs. Jacksonville (London, England)
Week Eight - BYE
Week Nine - vs. New Orleans
Week Ten - at San Francisco
Week Eleven - vs. Seattle
Week Twelve - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Thirteen - at Carolina
Week Fourteen - at Arizona
Week Fifteen - vs. Detroit
Week Sixteen - at Seattle
Week Seventeen - at Atlanta
Week Eighteen - vs. Arizona
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