Los Angeles Rams: One game away from making 2017 Playoffs?
The Los Angeles Rams rebuilding process may not be that extensive, according to one report
How’s this for a Los Angeles Rams prediction? Their starting quarterback still hasn’t won a game in the NFL. Their best defensive player is skipping OTAs because of a contract dispute. Los Angeles’ highest-paid cornerback in the league forgot to inform the first-year head coach he was skipping one OTA practice to take care of a personal matter. Their 2015 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is trying to shake off being one of the biggest busts in 2016.
And yet, one Rams prediction leaves them a single game outside the 2017 NFC playoff picture. Los Angeles’ win projection stands at 8.2, according to ESPN.com. That translates to an 8-8 season, according to a Football Outsiders‘ post-draft 2017 NFL analysis.
The Rams rank No. 7 in the NFC, the report goes on to say, falling short of projected wild-card teams Atlanta and Arizona. Why the strong love for a team that lost 11 of its last 12 games in 2016?
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“This starts with a simple fact: Wade Phillips’ defenses have a long, historical trend of improving immensely in their first season,” ESPN.com reported. “We would have already projected the Rams’ defense to rebound a bit anyway because it finished fifth in DVOA in 2015 before dropping to 15th in 2016. But with Phillips on board, the system sees even more reason for optimism.”
The forecast does take into account quarterback Jared Goff’s terrible 2016, but expects big improvement from last year’s No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. The Rams’ acquisition of left tackle Andrew Whitworth adds to the optimism. So, too, do the team’s special teams and punter Johnny Hekker.
“… and our system sees the makings of a surprise contender,” ESPN.com contends.
The Rams still need to come to terms with defensive tackle Aaron Donald and reduce cornerback Trumaine Johhnson’s 2017 salary cap number below $16.742 million. Goff, running back Todd Gurley and the offense can’t have a repeat 2016.
Related Story: The Rams should consider reaching out to Colin Kaepernick
Forbes posted SportsInformationTraders.com’s win projections that stated the Rams number is at 5.5 wins. They are two years removed from a 7-9 season and, if McVay can bring life into the offense to life, an 8-8 Rams prediction mark with an outside chance of eking a playoff berth is not out of the question.