Why Rams are overcoming low win expectations in 2023 NFL season
Everyone is down in the Los Angeles Rams entering this NFL season. And how can you blame them? Wasn't the writing on the wall in those "all-in" years? It feels like a couple of down campaigns like 2022 and now 2023 were always expected with the aggressive team-building strategies the Rams employed to get to […]
Everyone is down in the Los Angeles Rams entering this NFL season. And how can you blame them?
Wasn't the writing on the wall in those "all-in" years? It feels like a couple of down campaigns like 2022 and now 2023 were always expected with the aggressive team-building strategies the Rams employed to get to the Super Bowl.
The way to take solace from what could be dark days ahead is obvious: think about the fact that the plan worked. The Rams made the Super Bowl twice and actually have a Lombardi Trophy to show for it.
But there's also this: The Rams might win a whole lot more games than many expect this year. That's why the Rams' win total over was my favorite of five futures bet of the year.
The betting world expects the Rams to win 6.5 games this year and I'm confidently taking the over on that number. In my eyes, two are almost guaranteed against the seemingly-tanking Arizona Cardinals. The strength of schedule that they'll face this year is only average, per Warren Sharp. It isn't like they'll face unwinnable games the entire season.
After all, the Rams are still coached by Sean McVay, one of the best playcallers in the league. If Matthew Stafford remains healthy, the offense can be average at worst. Even the eternally questioned offensive line struggled mainly because of injuries last year. Throughout the 2022 season, they lined up 11 different OL combinations. Eleven!
Continuity alone should help the Rams look mightily improved. While the roster is far from being one of the best in the league, it's got plenty of young players who are on the rise and could provide some decent football throughout the year.
Last year they got five wins. Getting to seven is an easy bet.
Second injury report for Rams vs. Seahawks, Week 1
A potential big break.
Featured image via Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
