The season might be all but over if the Rams lose to the Packers on Sunday
Last week’s loss by the Los Angeles Rams to the Chicago Bears was pivotal. LA had the chance to move to 2-2 on the season after starting out winless through two weeks. A .500 record would have given them a fresh outlook on the season despite the numerous injuries that have piled up out of the gate.
But instead the Rams are now 1-3 with a quality opponent in the Green Bay Packers coming to town. This is Jordan Love’s second game back after he injured his ankle in the team’s season opener. Green Bay’s has a wealth of young talent on both sides of the ball and at key positions.
Sunday’s matchup will be tough for Los Angeles, though a loss would push them to a 1-4 record and effectively end any remaining hopes they have to make the post season. Not coming away with a win likely means the end of the team’s current window of contention—and it probably means saying goodbye to the likes of Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp in order to transition to the next era of the roster.
If the Packers win on Sunday, it’s effectively time to put a fork in the 2024 Rams.
Would a 1-4 Rams team consider turning to Jimmy Garoppolo or Stetson Bennett at quarterback in order to secure an early draft choice and strengthen their chances at landing a young franchise QB? Maybe LA would seriously contemplate moving Cooper Kupp ahead of the trade deadline, especially considering there are WR-hungry teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.
A lost season would allow younger players to accumulate experience that will pay dividends in their development and into the 2025 season. Beaux Limmer, Jordan Whittington, Davis Allen, Charles Woods, Kamren Kinchens, Brennan Jackson, and Stetson Bennett would all benefit from playing time if the next 12 games are nearly meaningless from a standings perspective.
The lives of Rams fans will be better if the team can take down the Packers at SoFi Stadium and keep their season alive; however, Green Bay is a throughly more talented team at this juncture and it’s probably time to close the book on any postseason hopes for the 2024 Rams.
