[69RamFan]

An interesting analytics prediction. Rams w/ the best in division, and 8th best overall, oline in PP (2024). We could always hope for better of course, but I wouldn't complain at all if this were the case.

Can't understand why Jackson's was given a score of a 55,

He's a 4 yr vet that was a Pro Bowler in 2021.

Especially after watching his tape,

I say our OL will be ranked as a top 5 in 2024.

[Elvis]

Less than a week till kickoff and Rams are still at 8.5 but the vig says money is coming in on the over:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024 ... de-giants/

Los Angeles Rams
Over 8.5 (-170) | Under 8.5 (+145)

Brinson: Over 8.5: This number is a mistake and Vegas might know it because the juice has moved so substantially to the over (you can find better than the -170 offered by Caesar's so shop around) even though the actual number hasn't creeped up from 8.5. The Rams dramatically improved their offensive line this offseason and got sneaky additions in Colby Parkinson , Blake Corum and Jordan Whittingham onto the offense. Add in a healthy Cooper Kupp , a second year of Puka Nacua and MVP candidate Matthew Stafford and you have an offense that should dominate all season long. Aaron Donald's loss is a big one but I expect this unit to remain as a top half group despite the HOF walking away. L.A. is a sleeper to win the division and isn't being treated as such.

Breech: Over 8.5: After making the playoffs last season, it seems that the Rams are somehow being slept on heading into 2024. Yes, they lost Aaron Donald, but they still do have a loaded offense that should allow them to hang with anyone. Not only do I think the Rams will hit the over here, but I don't think it's crazy to bet on them to win the division at +350.

Dajani: Over 8.5: The juice continues to get juicier, and for good reason. This number appears to be much too low. I know the Rams lost Aaron Donald on the defensive front, but I'm excited for Braden Fiske and Jared Verse. Plus, Kamren Curl is an underrated addition on the back end.

Offensively, the Rams had a "Big Four" that we didn't talk about enough. L.A. went 6-2 in games with Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams , Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in 2023. That offense averaged a whopping 28.5 points and 398.9 yards of total offense per game, while Stafford threw 18 touchdowns compared to three interceptions. L.A. averaged 6.8 yards per play with this "Big Four" on the field! Imagine if that group stays healthy in 2024.

[ramsman34]

I’m with 69

11-6

Lions - W
Cards - W
Whiners - W
Bears - W
Packers - L
Raiders - W
Vikings - W
Shesquats - W
Dolphins - L
Pats - W
Eagles - L
Saints - W
The “Adversity Stretch” begins
Bills - L
Whiners - L
Jets - L
Cards - W
Shesquats - W

[PARAM]

(The 'don't we hear this every year' group)
San Francisco 49ers: 11.5 (+125/-150)
Baltimore Ravens: 11.5 (+110/-135)
Kansas City Chiefs: 11.5 (-110/-110)

(The 'good up and coming, either fairly young, talented or both' group)
Detroit Lions: 10.5 (-105/-115)
Cincinnati Bengals: 10.5 (-120/+100)
Miami Dolphins: 10.5 (+125/-145)
Atlanta Falcons: 10.5 (+110/-130)
Green Bay Packers: 10.5 (+130/-155)

(The 'we gotta cover our arses because they've been good' group. >>>>>>>> But they ought to make some jack on homers betting the over)
Buffalo Bills: 10.5 (-145/+120)
Philadelphia Eagles: 10.5 (+110/-135)
Dallas Cowboys: 10.5 (+100/-120)

(The 'They mostly don't or might belong in the first 2 groups ' group)
Houston Texans: 9.5 (-110/-110)
LA Rams: 8.5 (-110/-110)
Jacksonville Jaguars: 8.5 (-125/+105)

(The 'We're betting on the QB, HC, or both but any could belong in the longshot' group)
NY Jets: 9.5 (+125/-150)
Indianapolis Colts: 8.5 (+110/-135)
LA Chargers: 8.5 (-160/+130)
Cleveland Browns: 8.5 (+115/-135)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8.5 (+125/-150)
Chicago Bears: 8.5 (-135/+115)

(The 'Longshot' group)
Pittsburgh Steelers: 7.5 (-110/-110)
Seattle Seahawks: 7.5 (-110/-110)
New Orleans Saints: 7.5 (-120/+100)
Washington Commanders: 7.5 (+125/-145)
Las Vegas Raiders: 6.5 (-135/+135)
New York Giants: 6.5 (+115/-135)
Minnesota Vikings: 6.5 (-135/+110)
Arizona Cardinals: 6.5 (-110/-110)

(The 'Longer than longshot' group)
Tennessee Titans: 5.5 (+115/-140)
Denver Broncos: 5.5 (-140/+140)
Carolina Panthers: 4.5 (-125/+105)
New England Patriots: 4.5 (-115/-105)

So which teams aren't going to prove they should have been in their group?

[Dare]

This is a far better team than the one that went 10-7 last year. With better STs play (including a PK) they win at least one or two more games. This year I see them going at least 12-6 with 13 maybe 14 wins achievable. 13 or 14 wins IMO gets them the NFCW division and at least #2 seed.

A year ago I told my friends the Rams were going to go at least 10-7 and make the playoffs as a wildcard. I told them then that this was a SB contender in the 2024 season. I could see how they were changing the way they drafted players. They now have positional types. For example because of Kupp they knew what they wanted and went out and signed Robinson, and drafted Nacua. This year they continued with Whittington. At RB they dumped Akers and went with Williams who is a different type of runner with much better field vision. This year they drafted another similar RB in Corum.

Last year they rebuilt the OL around draftee Avila at LG and traded for Dotson RG. They traded this year for Jackson, and drafted Limmer and Leveston.

On D they lost Donald, but drafted Verse and Fiske who look to replace the production and threat level lost when Donald left. They already have Turner with Davis behind him and Young who had an outstanding rookie season.

Yeah they traded away Jones, but he will be replaced with Hummel and Speights who bring better speed and athleticism to ILB. With Hoecht, Hampton and Jackson they have good depth behind Young and Verse and quality players at OLB. The defensive front 7 looks like it will be outstanding.

At CB they are looking good on the boundary being 3 deep with White, Williams and Durant. They are solid with Lake with Woods showing promise behind him. Woods has average length at 5'11" but good speed (4.48) and agility. IMO he looks like their SCB (Nickel) of the future.

At safety the Rams are legitimately 4 deep with Curl, Lake, Johnson and Kinchens.

This team is built to win now and into the future.

[WaddyWasWideOpen]

with their schedule and new DC and so many new faces on D, I just cant see more than 10Ws

[ramsman34]

I’m with 69

11-6

Lions - W
Cards - W
Whiners - W
Bears - W
Packers - L
Raiders - W
Vikings - W
Shesquats - W
Dolphins - L
Pats - W
Eagles - L
Saints - W
The “Adversity Stretch” begins
Bills - L
Whiners - L
Jets - L
Cards - W
Shesquats - W

If the Lions, Eagles, Packers are all playoff teams - we need to beat them for the head to head tie breakers. Basically, losing to AFC teams is a lot less impactful. You can throw in the presumed non playoff NFC teams too.

[PARAM]

I'm gonna take it one game at a time because that's how the good teams do it.

@Detroit (W)

[Elvis]

With their 9th win, Rams go over the 8.5 season win total.

That makes McVay 6-2 as Rams HC...

[ramsman34]

Although the actual games differ, kinda liking my 11-6 preseason prediction. lol.