The Los Angeles Rams are more than expected to contend with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West this season.
Sean McVay’s squad is coming off a surprising appearance in the playoffs last season and seems to have all the pieces in place to compete again.
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Star quarterback Matthew Stafford returns after some contract issues this past offseason. Kyren Williams is considered one of the best young running backs in the game. The duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua could very well be the best wide receiver tandem in the league.
On the defensive side of the ball, there are more question marks. Los Angeles ranked 19th in scoring defense a season ago and lost future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald to retirement.
Even then, this is not a mid-tier team. It should win double-digit games and battle San Francisco in the NFC West.
Unfortunately, some outlets are not seeing it this way. That includes Mike Florio and Pro Football Talk.
Latest NFL Power Rankings Have Los Angeles Rams at 17
Florio and Co. released their power rankings ahead of NFL Week 1. They have Los Angeles at 17, behind the likes of the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons. The Los Angeles Chargers find themselves one spot behind the Rams at 18.
Talk about the disrespect.
Sure, Chicago improved big time in the offseason. It added rookie No. 1 pick Caleb Williams as well as Pro Bowlers D’Andre Swift and Keenan Allen at the skill positions. But this team is not on the same level as the Rams right now.
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The Jets have major question marks on the offensive side of the ball. Primarily, an aging Aaron Rodgers returning from a torn Achilles last season.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to rely on a washed Russell Wilson and/or former Bears first-round bust Justin Fields at quarterback.
These are just a few examples of how far off PFT’s power rankings are as they relate to the Rams.
Obviously, Los Angeles will have an opportunity to prove the naysayers wrong when it opens up the season against Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions on the road this coming Sunday.
For now, McVay’s squad is getting the Rodney Dangerfield treatment.
Related: Sean McVay Not Concerned By Drain of Los Angeles Rams Defensive Leadership