Los Angeles Rams 2020 Preview - NFL Odds, Picks, & Betting Predictions

The Los Angeles Rams are coming off a disappointing 9-7 season in 2019 after reaching the Super Bowl the previous year and with high expectations at the start of this season. In 2020, the Rams will have several new faces on both sides of the ball. Los Angeles is not favored by oddsmakers to win the NFC West, but should be in contention to earn one of the two NFC wildcard spots.

Jared Goff returns as the Rams starting quarterback. In 2019, Goff threw for 4,638 yards, 22 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Todd Gurley II is no longer with the Rams and the top two running backs returning from last season are Malcolm Brown who rushed for 255 yards and five touchdowns and Darrell Henderson Jr. who rushed for 147 yards. The Rams drafted running back Cam Akers out of Florida State. Akers last season rushed for 1144 yards and 14 touchdowns. Los Angeles will have many of the same faces returning from last season on the offensive line including Andrew Whitworth, Joe Noteboom, Austin Corbett, Brian Allen, Austin Blythe, and Rob Navenstein while newcomers include Tremayne Anchrum and Cohl Cabral. 

Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp return as the two top wide receivers for the Rams while Los Angeles has added Van Jefferson, Earnest Edwards IV, Brandon Polk and JJ Koski amongst others. Brandin Cooks was traded by the Rams to the Houston Texans and the Rams used the No. 57 overall pick acquired from the Texans to select Jefferson. At tight end, the Rams will have Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett and newcomer Brycen Hopkins.

The Los Angeles Rams defense has two of the best defensive players in the NFL in pass rusher Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The defensive line for the Rams is one of their strong suits and will include Donald, Michael Brokers, A’Shawn Robinson, Sebastian Joseph-Day, while Eric Banks, Sam Renner and Johan Williams will see plenty of action. 

Los Angeles has question marks at linebacker and the nickel position after parting ways with players such as Clay Matthews, Cory Littleton, Dante Fowler Jr and Nickell Robey-Coleman. The Rams signed Leonard Floyd to help replace the departed Matthews and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Samson Ebukam, or Terrell Lewis are expected to battle for one outside linebacker position. Micah Kiser will hold down the other inside linebacker spot next to Floyd.

Besides top corner Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill returns from last season and will play opposite of Ramsey while Lavonta Taylor, Tyrique McGhee and Dayan Lake have been added for depth. John Johnson III returns to play one safety after recovering from a season-ending shoulder injury while Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, Jordan Fuller and JuJu Hughes with all battle for the other starting safety position. 

The Los Angeles Rams should have an improved offense thanks to young aggressive running backs, a talented wide receiving corps, a much more experienced offensive line and Jared Goff under center. However, the Rams defense has several question marks including at linebacker and in the secondary. Los Angeles will finish the 2020 regular season with an overall record of 8-8 and miss the postseason.