Are the Rams the most impressive team of 2023?
After winning the Super Bowl following the 2021 season, the Los Angeles Rams looked firmly on the way to a major re-build following their dismal showing in 2022. With no premium first round picks, an ageing roster crippled by injuries, many felt before this year that it would take a long while for the team to fully recover to the top.
There may be a long way to go still before they are considered an elite team once again, but the Rams have completely defied expectations and look to be going only one way; up. They have been one of the more impressive teams of the season, and Sean McVay should genuinely be considered for the Coach of the Year accolade for the work he has done on this team.
Thursday’s win over the New Orleans Saints epitomised what we’ve seen this year. Matthew Stafford continued to show that he’s still the guy, passing for 328 yards and two touchdowns, while the exceptional rookie WR Puka Nacua had nine catches for another career-high 164 yards and a score. Kyren Williams also had another 100+ yard game, as the Rams first-years stole the show once again.
The Rams have surged into a streak of five wins in six games down the stretch, culminating in another impressive victory over a fellow NFC playoff contender to sit themselves nicely at 8-7. With clashes against the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers to come to finish the year, if they can win just one of those remaining games, they should find themselves comfortably in the postseason.
Admittedly, there are still areas for improvement. LA led 30-7 with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, but gave up 15 quick points to allow the Saints back into the game. Poor special teams play, with a block punt and a missed field goal notable mistakes, could have cost them dearly.
But for a team considered to be below par at the start of the year, with little resources, key players leaving and being in a difficult division, 2023 has certainly defied expectations and Rams fans must be excited to see where this team can go in the coming years.
