Los Angeles Rams 2018-19 - NFL Season Preview & Future Odds Predictions

The Los Angeles Rams surprised the NFL last season going 11-5 and winning the NFC West division title. Sean McVay was the youngest coach in NFL history and led the Rams to their first playoff appearance in more than a decade. The Rams hope to do even more this season after making three big trades to land All-Pro players, while adding another through free agency. This season it appears the Rams are legitimate contenders to win the NFC if all their new additions pan out the way McVay hopes they will. In 2016, the Rams offense was last in the NFL averaging 262.5 yards and just 14.0 points a game. However, McVay introduced a high-octane offense that scored more than twice the number of points per game (28.9), as the season before and almost 100 more yards (361.8) per game. Quarterback Jared Goff is one of the top young signal callers in the game and running back Todd Gurley came back strong from a poor season in 2016 to finish second in MVP voting. Gurley remains the big threat on offense both running the ball and receiving out of the backfield. Sammy Watkins is no longer at wide out, but former Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks was signed and is a legitimate deep threat but will also go across the middle of the field. Cooks’ speed will open up lanes for receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods underneath. The duo at tight end of Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee should contribute even more this season, than last. The offensive line has two 30-something players and that could hurt them late in the season, and a lack of depth at that unit is worrisome.

The Rams added three All-Pro players to their defense in cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters through trades and Ndamukong Suh in free agency. The secondary could become one of the best in the AFC with Peters and Talib anchoring the unit. Lamarcus Joyner at safety is like putting on the finishing touch. The defensive line has All-Pro Aaron Donald returning and to join forces with Suh. Do not forget Michael Brockers, the unheralded lineman always brings his A-Game. The only area of the defense that could be suspect is the edge. Alec Ogletree and Robert Quinn are gone and those open spots on the outside have yet to be filled. Young players will be counted on to step up such as Samson Ebukam, Matt Longacre and Cory Littleton. Rookies Micha Kiser and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will have their chances to shine as well. However, with the strength of the defensive line, a weaker linebacker corps may not really matter. It may take a short period of time for all the new faces to mesh, but this defense could be one of the league’s best.