Los Angeles Rams Report Card: Surprises, standouts, and disappointments after two thirds of the 2025 season
The Los Angeles Rams are the top team in the NFL, with a Super Bowl on their mind
Sean McVay has built his best team as the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. An elite offense is being supported by a dominant defense, riddled with superstar talent everywhere. Matthew Stafford is the MVP favorite, and they’ve steamrolled over every team they’ve played so far in the middle of a six-game winning streak.
What have the Rams looked like this season? Let’s break it down with superlatives and criticisms.
Offensive superlatives
MVP: QB Matthew Stafford
MVP of the league, MVP of the season. Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 27 pass touchdowns, 6 more than any other player. He hasn’t thrown an interception in 308 pass attempts, which is the longest streak in franchise history. He has thrown 27 consecutive touchdowns without an interception, the longest streak on record. Stafford is the best quarterback in the NFL this season, and he’s the reason the Rams are in the Super Bowl hunt yet again.
Glue guy: G Steve Avila
Avila’s return to the lineup after an early injury has played a key role in this offensive onslaught from the Rams. He’s allowing one of the lowest pressure rates among all guards in the NFL, helping Stafford stay upright, and paving open rushing lanes for Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
Biggest surprise: WR Konata Mumpfield
I debated between Mumpfield and Colby Parkinson for this spot, and ultimately sided with Mumpfield off of sheer surprise factor. Nobody expected much from a seventh-round rookie in a wide receiver room already featuring Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, but very quietly, Mumpfield is beginning to emerge as a legit figure in the Rams’ offense.
He’s rotating into Adams’ role as the X receiver when the Rams move into 13-personnel, and he’s begun taking more snaps in the rotation out of the slot as the season has gone on. He’s left a big impression on Adams as well. The ball isn’t finding his way a ton, given the talent the Rams boast, but he’s getting open frequently, and it’s only a matter of time for him.
Biggest disappointment: OT Rob Havenstein
Havenstein is the longest-tenured member of the Rams on the roster, and unfortunately, it’s starting to show in his game. Injuries have sapped much of his athleticism, and he’s been more of a liability than anything this season. Warren McClendon has emerged in relief of Havenstein this season, and looks to have perhaps cemented the job, even when Havenstein comes off of injured reserve.
Turning point of the last six weeks: Week 7 vs Jacksonville Jaguars
This game was really the beginning of the Rams’ transformation from good to elite this season. Sean McVay pulled out a completely brand new offensive playbook that he diced the Jaguars up with before unleashing on the rest of the NFL over the following weeks. Their domination of the Jaguars was the key in the ignition for this offense, and they haven’t looked back since.
offense overall grade: A+
Defensive superlatives
MVP: EDGE Jared Verse
I could make a case for Byron Young here as well, but I still think Jared Verse is the true MVP of this defense. Verse’s presence is the straw that stirs the drink for the Rams’ defense. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula draws up all of their blitzes and pressure looks with Verse as the lynchpin of it all. Verse’s dominance is creating plays for the rest of the defense, as he leads the NFL in pressures creating turnovers so far this season. Teams can’t block him, and his leadership and passion are key for this resurgent Rams’ defense.
Glue guy: LB Nate Landman
Landman made a bit of recent Rams’ history, becoming the first linebacker to earn an extension from the Rams since Alec Ogletree back in 2017. Given what he’s meant to the team this year, that’s not surprising. Off the field, he’s a vocal leader, keeping players focused and delivering as an outstanding teammate. On the field, Landman has been perhaps the most surprising Rams’ free agent pickup in some time. He has developed into a terrific run defender, shoring up a weakness of the team last year. Landman was an easy choice to make here.
Biggest surprise: CB Emmanuel Forbes
Did you expect anyone else? The former first round bust has regained his first-round ability in Los Angeles, and has developed into a reliable option on the outside for the Rams. Last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Forbes did not allow a single reception despite being targeted seven times, forcing a career-high five pass breakups. He hasn’t been perfect this season, but his continued emergence has helped address the biggest weakness on the Rams’ defense.
Biggest disappointment: CB Darious Williams
As good as Forbes has been, Darious Williams has been equally as disappointing. The savvy veteran was supposed to be the leader a young secondary could rely upon. Instead, he’s become a frequent target for opposing offenses. He’s allowed two touchdowns in the last three games for the Rams and has allowed the most yards of any corner in their last two. I wouldn’t be shocked if his role gets reduced dramatically once Ahkello Witherspoon returns to action.
Turning point of the last six weeks: Week 11 vs Seattle Seahawks
The Rams had been playing much better down the stretch, but this unit didn’t really become a “dominant” unit in my eyes until they whooped up on the Seahawks two weeks ago. This unit shut down arguably the best non-Rams offense in the league, forcing four interceptions off of Sam Darnold. While the offense sputtered, the defense routinely slammed the door shut on Seattle, doing just enough for the Rams to emerge victorious.
defense overall grade: A
2025 draft class superlatives
Overachiever: WR Konata Mumpfield
I’ve already talked about Mumpfield earlier on in this article. What a find for a seventh-round pick.
Rookie we need to see more from: TE Terrance Ferguson
With starting tight end Tyler Higbee on injured reserve, now is the time for Ferguson to become the player the Rams envisioned him becoming when they drafted him so highly in the 2025 NFL Draft. He won’t have a better opportunity than right now.
Underachiever: RB Jarquez Hunter
Despite the Rams trading up to take the Auburn back, Hunter hasn’t made an appearance on the team at all this season, being a healthy inactive for the season. He was brought in to help add some explosiveness to their run game and add a kick returner, but he can’t even see the field in either role. It’s been a disappointing season for the rookie, and I’m not sure what his future will hold in Los Angeles.
draft class overall grade: B+
Coaching report card
Grade: A+++
I mean, what can I really say here? Sean McVay is at the top of his game, calling plays for the best offense in the league and motivating the best team in the NFL. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula has the defense even better than where Brandon Staley had it in the Rams’ previous Super Bowl run, and each position room has been performing at its best in years. I haven’t seen a better coaching job for the Rams than what I’ve seen this year.
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