Are Rams poised to stumble out of the gate this season?

LA will face three 2023 postseason teams in its first five games

The Los Angeles Rams faced a brutal five-week schedule to kick off the 2023 campaign. LA went 2-3 in that span, losing to the 49ers, Bengals and Colts. Fortunately, those defeats didn’t prevent the Rams from making the playoffs as they finished 10-7. Another slow start might be in the cards again for Sean McVay’s squad ahead of the 2024 season opener on Sunday Night Football.

USA Today writer Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz pegged the Rams as a team poised to stumbled of the gate this season:

“There are several factors that could signal more early-season struggles. The offensive line hardly seems settled, with starting left tackle Alaric Jackson serving a two-game suspension, right tackle Rob Havenstein hobbled by an ankle injury and Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson flipping positions at left guard and center. A new defensive coordinator in Chris Shula takes over Raheem Morris’ old unit, and he’ll be tasked with keeping together thin groups in the secondary and at inside linebacker. And then there’s that little matter of forging on without three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and his singular force in the pass rush.

Those issues can be navigated over the course of the season, but it might be asking a little much of Matthew Stafford to overcome them in the first week. The Detroit Lions (Week 1) and San Francisco 49ers (Week 3) have both the offensive firepower and tenacity along the lines to throw the Rams off their game, while the Arizona Cardinals loom as an upset threat in between those two matchups. Don’t be surprised if Los Angeles doesn’t find its top form until after the first month or so.”

Having the Lions and 49ers on the docket within the first three weeks is unfortunate timing given all the issues going on with the offensive line. Apparently, the NFL must get off to forcing the Rams and Niners to play each other so early in the year. The Packers—who spanked LA with Brett Rypien under center last season—are a Super Bowl contender who will take on the Rams in Week 5.

Additionally, Los Angeles will face a pesky Cardinals team with a presumably healthier Kyler Murray in Week 2 and the new-look Bears in Week 4.

It’ll be much, much better for the Rams to play Chicago early in the year while Caleb Williams adjusts to the pro game. Unless Da Bears manage to whiff on yet another young signal caller, which would not be surprising in the slightest.

The Rams did not have the burden of high expectations last season that they have entering ‘24. A slow start will likely not doom LA if they manage to make necessary adjustments on the fly to get their act together in a hurry.

Remember, it’s not always how you start, but rather how you finish. I’m certain the Rams can finish hard and finish well. There was a “that’s what she said” joke in there somewhere.

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