LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams have managed to turn their season around more quickly than anticipated this year.
Just a month ago, their prospects were dim as they headed into their bye week with a dismal 1-4 record. The offense was significantly impacted by injuries to their primary receivers, and the defense struggled under new coordinator Chris Shula, leaving fans despondent.
However, following three consecutive victories, the Rams now sit at an even 4-4. Key reinforcements like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua have come back into play, revitalizing the offense, while Shula’s defense has markedly improved in both competitiveness and ability to make significant plays.
Although the current season is not even halfway through, the atmosphere around the Rams has shifted dramatically from earlier in 2023. After a rocky start with a 3-6 record last year, the team rallied magnificently to finish strong with a 7-1 record, clinching a playoff spot.
Under Coach Sean McVay, the Rams demonstrated agility in solving their challenges this season, doing so at a faster pace compared to previous years. This is largely attributed to the promising development of their younger players throughout the first eight games.
Despite their struggles, the Rams have displayed resilience, managing to win several close games. Their most recent match ended in a tense 26-20 overtime victory against the Seattle Seahawks. The game’s turning points included two critical red zone interceptions by rookie Kam Kinchens and a remarkable 103-yard interception return for a touchdown, capping off with a dramatic one-handed touchdown from Demarcus Robinson.
“There’s no style points in this league,” stated McVay. “We need to clean things up, but we’ve learned to adjust in critical moments, and that’s what matters.”
The year following Aaron Donald’s departure was expected to be a challenging transition for the Rams, whose previous successes were largely built around his defensive prowess. While the current defense has not reached the same heights, a combination of young talent and veteran additions has begun to bear fruit. Although they continue to allow a significant number of yards, the Rams’ defense has been productive on the scoreboard, registering scores in four consecutive contests, including three touchdowns and a safety.
As the midseason mark approaches, the Rams may not resemble typical Super Bowl contenders, yet their recent progress suggests that a ceiling on Coach McVay’s team would be premature.
One of the highlights for the Rams is the revived passing game. McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford have successfully rejuvenated the offense, pushing the Rams to ninth in the NFL for passing yards after a sluggish start. This has been achieved despite the absence of Kupp and Nacua during past games, with Robinson stepping up, while Tutu Atwell surprisingly leads in receiving yards.
On the flip side, the defense still requires substantial improvements as it ranks in the bottom tier of the league across various key metrics. The inside linebacker position has been particularly weak, and despite an offseason overhaul to the secondary, the unit continues to concede an average of 225.6 passing yards per game. For the Rams to contend effectively against elite offenses, they need to enhance their performance.
In terms of positives, the young pass-rushing group has been a standout feature for the Rams. Rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, along with second-year players Kobie Turner and Byron Young, have collectively brought in 14.5 sacks, creating an impressive force on the defensive front in the wake of Donald’s retirement.
Conversely, the running game has hit a rough patch. Kyren Williams remains a reliable scorer but has seen his average drop to 3.7 yards per carry, a steep decline from his previous season’s average of 5.0 yards where he finished third in rushing yards in the NFL. Contributing factors include injuries along the offensive line and a tendency for the team to fall behind, obligating them to rely heavily on passing the football.
Additionally, although Kupp and Nacua’s injuries have hindered the offense, the Rams have managed to remain competitive without contributions from two critical offensive linemen. Guard Steve Avila was injured in the first game of the season, while center Jonah Jackson was sidelined shortly after. However, both players are nearing a return, with Jackson expected to play soon and Avila also considered for availability.
A key statistic to note is that three players have participated in every snap of their respective units: Stafford and guard Kevin Doston for the offense, and safety Quentin Lake for the defense. Rookie center Beaux Limmer has also been a consistent presence, but his snap counts are likely to decrease as Jackson returns.
Looking ahead, the Rams must capitalize on the next few games to create momentum. Their upcoming schedule features three matchups against some of the league’s weakest teams: Miami (2-6), New England (2-7), and New Orleans (2-7). With a challenging final stretch of the season approaching, securing a few more wins now is crucial for Los Angeles.