Week 16 began with the Los Angeles Rams defeating the New Orleans Saints in a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the result suggested. Los Angeles got off to a quick 30-point lead and only let the Saints tie the game during garbage time.
The biggest victory for Sean McVay’s squad since Super Bowl LVI occurred on Thursday. Most fans and experts didn’t anticipate the Rams to perform like this in 2023. Matthew Stafford is playing some of the greatest football of his career, as demonstrated by the primetime victory over New Orleans, and Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua were both excellent late-round selections from the previous two rounds.
Thursday night also demonstrated to me how Los Angeles may be closer than we realise to winning another Lombardi Trophy. Could it occur as early as the campaign of 2024? To be honest, I no longer think anything is impossible for McVay and this young, incredibly talented core. I really am a believer now, no matter how this season turns out.
A protracted rebuild seemed anticipated going into the season after the disastrous class 5-12, injury-plagued season of ’22. What is it that most of us didn’t get right? I have also learned this year how important it is to have a top-notch front desk—something that cannot be undervalued. Under the supervision of any organisation without a strong foundation in place, the leaky boat would have swiftly sank, but Les Snead and McVay’s dynamic combination steadied it fast.
Over the years, McVay or Snead have a history of annoying the fan base. But what makes a winning organisation different from a losing one is their leadership and direction. Without either of them in charge, this season would have been drastically different, so the Rams are lucky to have them in place.
Blaine Grisak of TST reported on December 21 about Snead’s selection as one of the general managers who will assist his team the most this season. In April, Les needed to make the most of his draft selections, and he succeeded. Ahkello Witherspoon and Kevin Dotson were two other underappreciated signings made by Snead.
Once more, I have no idea what LA will be up to at the end of this season. If I did, I would immediately fly to Vegas and wager all of my life money on the Rams to win the Super Bowl in February. What I do know is that it’s not at all unrealistic to envision McVay’s team competing for a championship in 2024 given the team’s weak conference.
In addition to the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, and Lions, the NFC has a number of young rosters that haven’t yet gained enough credibility. I can’t think of any other standouts that immediately come to me, however there may be a squad that appears out of nowhere. Thus, in 2024, why not include the Rams in the mix?
As we move into the upcoming season, there are a tonne of positives to build on, including plenty of cap room and the first first-round pick in a long time. There is no way that anyone should underestimate this club, especially after what they showed on Thursday Night Football.
