Are we that good?

[snackdaddy]

No link because its The Herd show with Colin Cowherd. I watched his program this morning. His top ten team ranking was interesting. No surprise, he had Philly number one. He had the Rams ranked number two. Not just the NFC, but the whole NFL. Are we that good?

Maybe. He had Nick Wright on his show who disagreed on a few of Cowherd's top ten ranking. Especially ranking the Chargers over the Chiefs. Cowher asked Wright who he thought won free agency. Wright gave the Rams the nod. Not only that, he did not disagree with the Rams ranked second. Which surprised me because I felt Wright wanted to be devil's advocate with Cowherd's ranking.

Its impossible to rank top ten teams accurately this time of year. But its good to know pretty much everyone around the league agrees our team is among the top teams. They had some smart signings in free agency. Signed guys who make for good fits in offense and defense systems. And they nailed the last two drafts. No reason to think they won't find some gems in this draft.

WE ARE BACK BABY!

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

The Rams were the only team to really challenge the Eagles in the playoffs. If Kupp was his old self they likely win that game. If Limmer slows Carter down the Rams likely win that game.

After watching the Eagles DLine destroy that Chiefs I think it’s safe to say that the Rams could have defeated the Chiefs in a similar fashion.

They upgraded their two biggest weaknesses, a true outside receiving threat and a more consistent run stuffer. Why wouldn’t they be ranked top 2?

 

[Merlin]

Rams should be a legit contender this year. So yeah I'd say we deserve to be talked about now in that top group of teams.

But that said are we finally going to have a fucking year where the OL starts fast? Because that never seems to happen for us. And until it happens this team is never going to challenge for a top seed.

Same with the defense. Which also seems to start slow and ascend as the year progresses and things are tuned and guys sort into roles.

You can't fuck around if you want a bye week or home games in January. Gotta win early in the season and position yourself to compete for that top seed.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Rams should be a legit contender this year. So yeah I'd say we deserve to be talked about now in that top group of teams.

But that said are we finally going to have a fucking year where the OL starts fast? Because that never seems to happen for us. And until it happens this team is never going to challenge for a top seed.

Same with the defense. Which also seems to start slow and ascend as the year progresses and things are tuned and guys sort into roles.

You can't fuck around if you want a bye week or home games in January. Gotta win early in the season and position yourself to compete for that top seed.

The defense should start faster than last season. They all had a chance to learn it.

The biggest concern is offseason workouts. These Olinemen need to strengthen their ankles before camp starts.

 

[DzRams]

The Rams were the only team to really challenge the Eagles in the playoffs. If Kupp was his old self they likely win that game. If Limmer slows Carter down the Rams likely win that game.

After watching the Eagles DLine destroy that Chiefs I think it’s safe to say that the Rams could have defeated the Chiefs in a similar fashion.

They upgraded their two biggest weaknesses, a true outside receiving threat and a more consistent run stuffer. Why wouldn’t they be ranked top 2?

So many people do this, not just you...but we would have had to get by Washington before playing the Chiefs. That would have been a challenge, not automatic.

But I agree with you that adding Adams and Ford are two strong moves.

 

[snackdaddy]

Yeah, if we want some home games and maybe even a first round bye you gotta win the early games too, Relying on late runs makes it a lot harder. How would that game in Philly be if there was no snow that day?

 

[snackdaddy]

So many people do this, not just you...but we would have had to get by Washington before playing the Chiefs. That would have been a challenge, not automatic.

But I agree with you that adding Adams and Ford are two strong moves.

Would help if we had a legit ILB with speed to match the running quarterbacks.

 

[Memento]

With health and another solid draft?

Absolutely.

 

[Flint]

Makes me think about the “run it back,” year. High expectations that came crashing down in a hurry

 

[VegasRam]

Same with the defense. Which also seems to start slow and ascend as the year progresses and things are tuned and guys sort into roles.

Agree on the O-line. Frustrating as hell.

D not so much.. Last year new DC, no Donald and a few rookies. Expect it to start a lot faster this year.

 

[Selassie I]

To answer your question...

 

[InfiniteRam]

No glaring weaknesses on this team. I think Landman is going to be a big surprise. He fits an exact need.

 

[DzRams]

Would help if we had a legit ILB with speed to match the running quarterbacks.

Could they do that with a safety instead? Last year we had three safeties on the field for the majority of snaps.

 

[AZRams]

No glaring weaknesses on this team. I think Landman is going to be a big surprise. He fits an exact need.

Watching his highlight reel I was struck by how sure a tackler he is. He gets the runner's legs, none of this bouncing off the shoulders bullshit...

 

[DzRams]

Watching his highlight reel I was struck by how sure a tackler he is. He gets the runner's legs, none of this bouncing off the shoulders bullshit...

I feel Landman will be a big upgrade to ILB. His 2023 numbers far surpassed anything we had last year.

 

[snackdaddy]

Makes me think about the “run it back,” year. High expectations that came crashing down in a hurry

Yeah, the injuries were brutal. I believe it was 12 straight games with a different offensive line combination. Then Stafford, Kupp and Donald go down for the rest of the year. I like to think they learned something from that experience. Mainly depth on the offensive line.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Hell yes

 

[Londoner]

My £100 bet at 25-1 says yes.

 

[Turducken]

If we're firing on all cylinders, we are a top 5 team.

But it only takes a couple injuries in a given week to look like a bottom 10 team.

 

[Boston Ram]

The lazy analysis is yes, we played the Eagles better than anyone in the playoffs.

But we are definitely a top team in the league. Not sure I put them ahead of Baltimore, Buffalo, KC, but Im comfortable calling us the 2nd most talented team in the NFC.

Take the past 2 season, you can make a strong argument the Rams could of been NFC Champs. Last year we are a hip bump from hosting the NFC championship against a rookie QB. 2023 we lose to Detroit by 1...a game that bothers me as much as the Eagles game last year. We beat Detroit we play a flawed TB and then a clash with SF. I know a lot of variables there but we were as good as SF who won the NFC.

If nothing else, it shows all these games come down to a play of 2 and can be the difference between 1 and done or a SB appearance.