After finishing 2nd in the NFC West in 2023, can the Los Angeles Rams repeat as playoff contenders and make the most of what could be Matthew Stafford’s last hurrah without Aaron Donald?
With Donald, a future hall-of-fame defensive lineman retiring this offseason, the Rams offense will have to do the heavy lifting in 2024. Last season, Los Angeles finished 10-7, but only lost 1 division game in general, and that was to the Super Bowl runner-up San Francisco 49ers once, who went 12-5 last year.
The Seattle Seahawks are under a new head coach and the Arizona Cardinals still lack some talent to compete in 2024, making this a prime opportunity for the Rams to go all in for this year.
The 35-year-old Stafford dealt with some potentially serious injuries last season, making this year potentially his last for the veteran gunslinger.
Los Angeles Rams: Easiest Stretch
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Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams feasted against the Arizona Cardinals and should do so again in Week two and 17 in 2024.
Their mid-season schedule after their bye softens up somewhat, as the Rams play the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings in LA from Weeks seven and eight. This follows up with a division game with the Seahawks but at home in Seattle for Week nine, which could be a challenge for the Rams but is something they did last season.
After the Dolphins game in Week 10 back at home, which might be tough, it gets easier on paper against the Patriots, but the Rams will have to go cross country to New England to play them in Week 11.
The Saints game in New Orleans is in Week 13, as the Rams should take care of it like last season but it was close enough to highlight here depending on where they are as a team past the midway point of the year.
Los Angeles Rams: Toughest Stretch
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Their toughest games are usually the 49ers, but for nondivision, the Los Angeles Rams will get a shot at beating both the Eagles and the Packers, two NFC playoff teams from 2023 they lost to in the regular season last year.
The Green Bay game is Week five at their home turf right before their bye and their rematch against Philadelphia in LA for Week 12.
The Rams also get the AFC East this season, facing Miami in Week 10 on the West Coast, while facing a different Bills team. Lucky for them, they played Buffalo at home as well in Week 14 as the team they played in the season opener for 2022 in a loss.
The Jets game in Week 16 is in Metlife, so that game should be a big one for the Los Angeles Rams but on paper, will be interesting if New York is competitive by then. Their cornerbacks could give the likes of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua a rough time vs. Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed.
Los Angeles Rams: Important Games
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After being one point short and losing to the Lions in the Wildcard last year, I am sure Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams have this game circled as a revenge game for the Sunday Night showdown in Detroit for Week one. The same goes for Jared Goff, former Rams quarterback, and the Detroit Lions.
Their division games after the season’s first week are important before their early Week six bye week, at Arizona against the Cardinals for Week three and back home for their home opener against the 49ers in LA for Week four.
Rams should be able to win both, as they finish the year with division games, their second matchup against Arizona but in LA for Week 17, and the Seattle Seahawks in their building for Week 18. Those games are also a must-win if they want to be legitimate contenders in 2024 as one of the better NFC teams.
With new defensive coordinator Chris Shula, replacing Raheem Morris, now the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, this team does have enough young talent to coach and play up to their potential.
Star rookie from last season Kobie Turner, along with the rookie Florida State duo Braden Fiske and Jared Verse can do what they can for their pass rush.
The Los Angeles Rams will look to get further into the playoffs and potentially, the Super Bowl in 2024, for Stafford to get another ring after winning 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022 with Donald.
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