Right now is a tough time to be a Los Angeles Rams fan.
Hopes after a Super Bowl LVI title were high entering the 2022-2023 season, but injuries to the offensive line, bad luck, and poor execution have derailed the Rams hopes. After losing to the Cardinals Sunday, the Rams have lost three in a row. They are 3-6 entering this Sunday’s game at New Orleans.
As of Wednesday morning, it’s not clear whether Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford will play Sunday, superstar wide receiver Cooper Kupp is having ankle surgery and may not be back the rest of the season.
The way things are going YOU might be starting on the Rams offensive line this week.
But still, it’s football, it’s the NFL, what are you going to do with yourself on a Sunday afternoon? Go grocery shopping?
Here are five reasons why you should keep watching the Rams this season:
1. The Rams aren’t out of it
In the NFC playoff picture right now the Rams are 13th, tied with the Lions, but listen, with just one win, one win, they would be 4-6 and in a group of teams in the ninth spot.
The Rams have to find a way to beat the Saints Sunday. The Rams are better than the Saints who are 3-7 and are probably starting Jameis Winston at quarterback.
Then you look at the rest of the Rams schedule, let’s chalk up a W on Sunday. That’s 4-6. Then the Chiefs on the road. Uh, no way. So you’re 4-7 with six games left.
Two of those six are against the Seahawks who lead the division.
So you’re saying there is a chance?
What the Rams need is nine wins to have a shot at the playoffs. They need to sweep the Seahawks (that’s win 5 and win 6) to have a chance in the division. They can beat the Raiders, so that’s seven wins. They can beat the Broncos on Christmas, so that’s eight. The Packer game and Charger games are toss-ups.
But you can see eight wins out there: Saints, Seahawks twice, Raiders and Broncos.
2. Kyren Williams, Please
The Rams 2022 Draft is thin. Top pick Logan Bruss got hurt in the pre-season and has missed the whole season. The defensive backs Decobie Durant (fourth round) and Derion Kendrick (sixth round) have been inconsistent, but look like they belong in the NFL.
Finally against the Cardinals we saw the Rams fifth-round pick Kyren Williams at running back. He had one carry for nine yards and three catches for 30.
Wiliiams, out of Notre Dame, could be the future of the Rams running game. There is no reason not to give him a chance. We all know about the Cam Akers saga.
The Rams don’t have a first-round pick next year, so it’s time to roll with the young pups now.
3. Root for Ty Nsekhe
Nsekhe started at left tackle for the Rams against the Cardinals Sunday. He’s literally a former Arena Football League player, who also played for the Rams when they were in St. Louis.
He also did jail time for an incident in college when he and some friends robbed a frat house when he was 18 years old.
Nsekhe served his time and has discussed his mindset and what happened when he was playing for the Bills in Buffalo. It’s hard not to like a man who acknowledges his mistakes and has made every attempt to grow and move on.
4. Holiday Football!
The NFL schedule makers put the Rams in two prime time slots for the holidays, after all, they are still defending Super Bowl champions.
On Christmas, the Rams play the Broncos. First of all, the Rams have to break out either a new alternate helmet or cool uniform combo for that game. It’s time.
Then on New Year’s Day, it’s the Battle of Los Angeles, as the Rams play the Chargers. Hey, the Chargers are 5-4, I read something about them on MyLASports.com. It’s the second to last game of the season and the Chargers might be fighting for a playoff spot too. The crowd at SoFi should be electric.
5. Because It’s Football
The only thing better than bad football is good football.
Right now, the Rams are going through a Super Bowl hangover season. They weren’t able to retool the roster because of the lack of assets from the trades for Matthew Stafford and Jalen Ramsey. They aren’t getting a pass from any opponent, because everyone wants to say they beat the Super Bowl champs.
But the Rams still have some of the best football players in the galaxy. Defensive lineman Aaron Donald is freakishly quick and strong. He should feast against the Saints porous offensive line on Sunday. Jalen Ramsey has incredible body control and ball skills. When Kupp plays, he’s a maestro on the field.
Sean McVay has the world’s prettiest wife and best hair of any NFL head coach.
No, seriously.
You’ve watched the Rams all season and you can tell they are still playing hard and trying. Things haven’t gone their way, but they haven’t given up, and being a fan of a team means you don’t give up either.
