4 Predictions For The 2024 Los Angeles Rams Season, Including Playoff Outcome

The Los Angeles Rams exceeded expectations in 2023, making the NFL playoffs when many thought they wouldn’t win 6 games. Heading into the 2024 season, expectations are much higher for Sean McVay and Co. this fall.

Los Angeles got even stronger for the most part this offseason. The Rams upgraded their interior offensive line with the signing of guard Jonah Jackson, allowing Steve Avila to kick inside. Furthermore, the team added significant depth and surrounding talent to its defense.

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The lingering question for the Rams in 2024 is how they replace Aaron Donald. Losing one of the best NFL players ever is a significant blow for Los Angeles. However, with all the talent on the Rams roster, this should still be one of the best NFL teams this season.

Los Angeles Rams finish With A Top 7 Rushing Offense

McVay and running back Kyren Williams led a new-look and highly effective Rams rushing attack in 2023. After fielding one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL the two previous seasons – 25th in 2021 and 27th in 2022 – Los Angeles took a huge step forward this past year. The personnel will be even better in 2024.

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• Los Angeles Rams rushing stats (2022) : 97.7 rushing yards per game, 4.0 yards per carry
• Los Angeles Rams rushing stats (2023) : 117.4 rushing yards per game, 4.3 yards per carry

For one thing, the Rams will now have a year of experience in the scheme that saw more gap and man-blocking concepts last fall. The schematic change led to a more efficient and explosive ground game. A year later, the Rams’ interior offensive line is even better. Plus, Los Angeles boasts a Williams’ clone in Blake Corum who can step in when a breather is needed. We expect McVay to be even more committed to the rushing attack in 2024, resulting in a Rams offense that averages over 4.5 ypc and over 135 rush ypg.

Matthew Stafford Finishes Third In NFL MVP Voting

We’re all-in on the Rams offense in 2024. It’s partially due to improvements made to the offensive line and confidence that Cooper Kupp will be healthier this season. Those factors paired with an outstanding ground game will help Matthew Stafford deliver one of the best seasons in his storied NFL career.

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• Matthew Stafford stats on play action ( PFF ) : 104.5 QB rating, 65.8% completion rate, 1,196 passing yards, 3-1 TD-INT rate on 117 attempts
• Matthew Stafford stats from clean pocket: 102.5 QB rating, 71.1% completion rate, 3,299 passing yards, 17-8 TD-INT

Improved play in the trenches and a run game that forces the defense to respect it more will open up things for McVay, Stafford, Kupp, and Puka Nacua even more. It will lead to Stafford having his first 30-touchdown season since 2020, only this time with fewer than 17 interceptions. On a playoff team with a 100-plus QB rating, Stafford will be one of the top MVP candidates and receive a few first-place votes.

Jared Verse, Braden Fiske Combine For 13 Sacks

The Rams traded up for Braden Fiske for a reason. While there’s no replacing Donald, Los Angeles wanted to find ways to add more talent to its defensive front and maintain some continuity. While Fiske and Jared Verse are both first-year players, the rapport they showed at Florida State can help lead to immediate success at the next level.

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The drawback for Los Angeles is the absence of a game-wrecker who takes on double teams to free up other pass rushers. Instead, the Rams are banking on the quartet of Verse, Fiske, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young to emerge together. By the end of the regular season, we’re predicting Verse wins Defensive Rookie of the Year with 9.5 sacks and Fiske gets 3.5 of his own.

Los Angeles Rams Lose A Heartbreaker In The Divisional Round

If Donald suddenly decides to unretire, the Rams can be a Super Bowl contender. He would be the game-wrecker that the defense is missing and that final piece would make Los Angeles one of the best NFL teams in 2024. Instead, that glaring hole will become the most obvious in the biggest game of the season.

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Facing the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round at Lambeau Field, it will be a battle in frigid temperatures. Both teams will have great success running the football, leading to a close game late in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, it will be the Rams’ issues to consistently create pressure that allow Jordan Love to lead a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter that puts the game away. The 2024 NFL season ends for Los Angeles with a 27-21 loss to the Packers. Green Bay will go on to win the NFC, leaving the Rams to wonder what could’ve happened if they pulled it out.

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