The Rams are built to win now. They valued veteran talent over unproven playmakers from the draft for one reason and one reason only: to get to the Super Bowl. And now they’re here, ready to crush an opponent who was even less likely to reach such heights.
Sure, their strategy of suddenly going all-in midseason is a little unconventional, but you know who else had a similar tactic last season… the Bucs. Remember who won the Super Bowl? Yup, Tompa Bay.I’m believing in Matt Stafford because: the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft has finally broken through in his first season with his new franchise by:
Tying a career-high with 41 passing touchdowns in the regular season
Posting a career-best 12-5 as as starter
Dominating the postseason with 905 passing yards, six passing TDs, one interception, two rushing TDs
Notching highest completion percentage (72.0%) by a Rams QB in a single postseason (minimum 20 pass attempts)
Unlocking wideout Cooper Kupp’s full potential. Kupp’s 145 catches were the second most in a single season in NFL history, as were his 1,947 receiving yards. His 16 touchdown catches led the NFL during the regular season
Jalen Ramsey can stop Ja’Marr Chase: Ramsey led the Rams in passes defensed (16) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (4), while being the only player in the NFL with 15 or more passes defensed and five or more tackles for loss. Ramsey thrives in physical matchups where he can shut down an aggressive receiver, like Chase – he’s ready for the challenge.The Rams trade acquisitions are too talented to lose: Aside from the Jared Goff for Stafford swap, the franchise added:
Two-year New England running back Sony Michel
Seven-year Denver linebacker Von Miller
Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after he was cut by Cleveland (his 19 receptions this postseason rank third-most in Rams history)
Takeaway: The Bengals should be (Joe) not-so-cool about L.A.’s defensive front.
Aaron Donald is an absolute force totalling 1.5 sacks and six QB hits this postseason after leading the franchise in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (19) in the regular season
Miller recorded at least one sack in six of his past seven games
Leonard Floyd notched 20 sacks in the last two seasons
A’Shawn Robinson is tied for team-high postseason tackles (16)
The Rams tallied 50 sacks in the regular season (third-most in the NFL)
Game spread: Rams (-4) vs. Bengals (+4)
