After week 9, the Los Angeles Rams sat in third place in the NFC West with a 3-6 record following a disappointing loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. After their week 10 bye, the Rams are one of the hottest teams in football winning five of their last six games. If the postseason were to start today, the Rams (8-7) would be the sixth-seed set to take on the current third-seeded Detroit Lions.
The Rams are a team that can make some noise in January and many teams would want to avoid a matchup with a surging squad such as Los Angeles. What makes this Rams team so dangerous and what can be expected should they make the NFC Wild Card? One word: Offense
Offensively, the Rams are one of the more formidable units in the NFL. Per ESPN, the Ram’s offense is at or near the top ten in the league in many key offensive categories. After fifteen games, the Rams’ offense ranks seventh in yards per game, 10th in passing yards per game, 10th in rushing yards per game, and 8th in points per game. The Rams also boast a 41.38% third down conversion rate which ranks 12th in the league.
The statistics alone don’t tell the entire story as the Rams’ offensive players have shown out all year. Led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, superstar receiver Cooper Kupp, and two late-round rookie sensations, Puca Nucua and Kyren Williams, the Ram’s attack has been both balanced and efficient.
Matthew Stafford has had a vintage season thus far. The veteran passer currently has thrown for 3,648 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions. He’s also completing a respectable 62% of his passes and is the reason rookie wideout Puca Nacua is having a record-breaking season. The Rams will go as far as their Super Bowl Champion quarterback will take them.
Cooper Kupp is as steady as they come at wide receiver. Although he has missed four games this year, he is still the second-leading receiver in this Rams offense. His number may not be as gaudy as his tremendous 2021 campaign, but Kupp still has a chance to eclipse 1,000 yards on the season. With 55 receptions and 710 yards, Kupp is still an elite wide receiver with big-play potential on every snap.
Puka Nacua burst onto the scene in a week 1 game at Seattle and hasn’t looked back. Taking advantage of the early absence of Cooper Kupp, the rookie is the Rams leading receiver and closing in on breaking the receiving yards record. Nacua currently has 96 receptions for 1,327 yards. As it stands, Nacua only needs 146 yards over the final two games to break the rookie receiving yards record held by former Houston Oiler, Bill Groman who had 1,474 yards in 1960.
Kyren Williams has been another surprise contributor for the Rams this season. The Notre Dame product has run for 1,057 having played in only 11 games this season. Williams is a hard-nosed and versatile back averaging 5.1 yards per carry and just over 96 yards per game. Williams will be a critical component for the Rams down the stretch. Especially with two road games against the Giants and 49ers which will prove critical for their playoff hopes.
Head Coach Sean McVay is due for tremendous praise this season. After a disappointing 5-12 season following their Super Bowl Championship, expectations for Los Angeles were low in 2023, to say the least. This coaching job from McVay may be the most impressive of his tenure. McVay has done more with late-round draft talent this year than most coaches would hope to do throughout their careers. Ultimately, McVay, Stafford, Kupp, and the Ram’s talented offensive rookie tandem will strike fear into their opponents come wildcard weekend.
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