Los Angeles Rams' Struggles Raise Questions After Super Bowl Favorite Hype
Despite a roster boasting high-profile talent and preseason Super Bowl predictions, the Los Angeles Rams have stumbled to last place in the NFC West, marked by a recent home loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Los Angeles Rams have fallen short of preseason expectations, currently sitting in last place in the NFC West after a series of disappointing performances. A recent 18-16 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium has amplified concerns surrounding the team's ability to live up to its Super Bowl favorite status.
The team's struggles have been marked by critical errors and unexpected defeats. In Week 3, the Rams held a 16-0 halftime lead against the Denver Broncos but ultimately lost 30-26. A Week 5 matchup against the Buffalo Bills saw the Rams amass significant yardage and offensive statistics—over 400 total yards, more than 30 first downs, five touchdowns, and zero turnovers—yet they still lost 37-34. These performances have led to questions about the team's consistency and ability to close out games.
Head coach Sean McVay acknowledged the team's self-inflicted issues following the loss to the Cardinals. "You know, we won't win a game unless we figure out how not to beat ourselves," McVay stated. "A lot of different guys are taking their turn [making mistakes]. I talk about it, we try to harp on it, and we've got to figure it out. We don't have those answers right now otherwise it would have gotten fixed. We've had some really critical errors at unfortunate times. But that's what our narrative has been for this year."
Compounding the team's on-field performance are issues related to player availability and travel. Defensive player Myles Garrett underwent knee surgery on September 14 and is eligible to return from the injured reserve list, though his immediate return is not guaranteed. The team also faced scrutiny for their travel arrangements to Australia for a season-opening game against the San Francisco 49ers, with reports suggesting the Rams arrived just 36 hours before kickoff, while the 49ers spent a week acclimating.
Despite the roster's notable talent, including a quarterback who was the NFL MVP last season, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and the return of Aaron Donald, the Rams have struggled to translate potential into wins. The team also added two starting cornerbacks from the Kansas City Chiefs and reached the NFC Championship game last season, further fueling expectations that have yet to be met.