The Los Angeles Rams have been one of the standout teams in the NFL over the last few years.
They reached two Super Bowls in three years in 2019 and 2022, losing the first to the New England Patriots before famously defeating the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium—home of the Rams—in 2022. Last term, they made it to the playoffs once again for the fifth time in seven seasons, and next term, they will aim to do it again.
The 2024 season begins on September 5th when the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Baltimore Ravens to Arrowhead in a clash of AFC heavyweights.
The Rams will have to wait until September 8th to get their campaign underway, but who will be their biggest tests throughout the season?
Let’s find out.
Detroit Lions
The Rams’ curtain raiser comes in the form of the Detroit Lions. They will kick off their season on the road against a revitalized Michigan outfit at Ford Feld in a rematch of last year’s wildcard round matchup that saw the Motor Cty side secure their first postseason victory in 33 years. Under head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have shed their perennial underdog status and emerged as a formidable force in the conference, winning the NFC North for the first time in history last term en route to reaching the conference championships. With Jared Goff, a former Rams quarterback, at the helm, the Lions’ offense has developed a potent attack that blends a robust running game with an aerial assault.
For the Rams, containing Detroit’s emerging star receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams as well as breaking through a high-energy defensive front will be critical. This early test will also allow quarterback and Lions legend Matthew Stafford to demonstrate he remains at the top of his game. He has had an injury-hit couple of years since leading his team to the Lombardi, and he will be aiming to prove that he still has what it takes to lead the SoFi side at the age of 36.
Miami Dolphins
Throughout the first half of the campaign, the Rams will have plenty of winnable clashes. Their matchups on weeks seven and eight look particularly enticing, with back-to-back home fixtures against the Las Vegas Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings. While the NFL odds for week 7 and week 8 haven’t yet been published, the outright odds for the Lombardi certainly have, and the Mobsquad are +3500 contenders, while their rivals on those game weeks are priced at +9000 and +8000, respectively.
However, immediately following those clashes comes a contest with a rejuvenated Miami Dolphins side at SoFi Stadium. The Floridians have emerged as major players in the AFC, with the electric Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback accompanied by superstar wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Odell Beckham Jr. Last term, they came within a whisker of toppling the Buffalo Bills at the summit of the AFC East, and they will be aiming to finish the job in 2024.
Philadelphia Eagles
Perhaps one of the most daunting challenges on the Rams’ 2024 schedule – outside of their home and away clashes against the NFC champions and divisional rival San Francisco 49ers – is their Week 12 clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Iggles boast a roster stacked with talent on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts. the former Oklahoma Sooner has proven himself as one of the league’s premier dual-threat quarterbacks, capable of dissecting defenses with his arm and legs, as he displayed with one of the greatest Super Bowl performances of all time last February.
Philadelphia’s defense, spearheaded by a dominant front seven, will pose significant challenges for the Rams’ offensive line, even without the recently retired Jason Kelce. Protecting Stafford and establishing a reliable ground game will be paramount. Additionally, the defense must find ways to contain the multifaceted Eagles’ offense, which can attack from various angles. A win here would be a massive statement, signaling the Rams’ ability to compete with the NFL’s elite and underlying their Lombardi credentials.
Buffalo Bills
In Week 14, the Rams will host the Buffalo Bills, another heavyweight contender from the AFC. Their superstar under center, Josh Allen, is arguably a top-three quarterback in the league, perhaps only surpassed by Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. His strong arm and mobility make him a continuous threat both in the pocket and on the run. Complemented by standout receiver Stefon Diggs and a solid supporting cast, the Highmark side’s offense can rack up points quickly.
The Rams’ defense will need to bring their A-game, focusing on pressuring Allen and limiting big plays. Offensively, they must devise a strategy to navigate Buffalo’s staunch defense, which thrives in both pass coverage and run stopping. This late-season matchup could have significant playoff implications, adding an extra layer of intensity and urgency. The Bills have been knocked off in the playoffs by the Chiefs in three of the last four seasons, and they will be among to show that this year will be different.
PHOTO: ClutchPoints
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