Let’s take a deep look at the Rams 2019 season, 2020 offseason and what lies ahead in 2020.
2019 Team Ranks
| Total Offense | 7th (5998 yards) |
| Passing Offense | 4th (4499 yards) |
| Rushing Offense | 26th (1499 yards) |
| Total Defense | 13th (5434 yards allowed) |
| Passing Defense | 12th (3625 yards allowed) |
| Rushing Defense | 19th (1809 yards allowed) |
| PPG | 24.6 |
| PPG Allowed | 22.8 |
| Offensive Line Ranks | |
| PFF | 31st |
| Football Outsiders (Run Block) | 19th |
| Football Outsiders (Pass Block) | 1st |
Coaching Staff Changes
| Kevin O’Connell hired as OC |
| Brandon Staley replaces Wade Phillips as DC |
| John Bonamego replaces John Fassel as ST Coordinator |
| Thomas Brown replaces Skip Peete as RB Coach |
| Aaron Kromer hired as OL Coach |
Offseason Additions
| A’Shawn Robinson DT |
| Leonard Floyd OLB |
Offseason Losses
| Todd Gurley RB |
| Brandin Cooks WR |
| Dante Fowler DE |
| Cory Littleton LB |
| Eric Weddle S |
| Clay Matthews LB |
| Greg Zuerlein K |
| Nickell Robey-Coleman CB |
| Jojo Natson WR |
| Mike Thomas WR |
2020 NFL Draft
| Round 2 (52) – Cam Akers RB Florida State |
| Round 2 (57) – Van Jefferson WR Florida |
| Round 3 (84) – Terrell Lewis Edge Alabama |
| Round 3 (104) – Terrell Burgess S Utah |
| Round 4 (136) – Brycen Hopkins TE Purdue |
| Round 6 (199) – Jordan Fuller S Ohio State |
| Round 7 (234) – Clay Johnston LB Baylor |
| Round 7 (248) – Sam Sloman K Miami (OH) |
| Round 7 (250) – Tremayne Anchrum G Clemson |
2020 Schedule with record vs opponents since 2017
| Week 1 – vs Dallas Cowboys 8:20 PM ET NBC (SNF) | 2-1 |
| Week 2 – at Philadelphia Eagles 1 PM ET FOX | 0-2 |
| Week 3 – at Buffalo Bills 1 PM ET FOX | 0-0 |
| Week 4 – vs New York Giants 4:05 PM ET FOX | 1-0 |
| Week 5 – at Washington 1 PM ET FOX | 0-1 |
| Week 6 – at San Francisco 49ers 8:20 PM ET NBC (SNF) | 3-3 |
| Week 7 – vs Chicago Bears 8:15 PM ET ESPN (MNF) | 1-1 |
| Week 8 – at Miami Dolphins 1 PM ET FOX | 0-0 |
| Week 9 – BYE | |
| Week 10 – vs Seattle Seahawks 4:25 PM ET FOX | 4-2 |
| Week 11 – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8:15 PM ET ESPN (MNF) | 0-1 |
| Week 12 – vs San Francisco 49ers 4:05 PM ET FOX | 3-3 |
| Week 13 – at Arizona Cardinals 4:05 PM ET FOX | 6-0 |
| Week 14 – vs New England Patriots 8:20 PM ET FOX (TNF) | 0-1 |
| Week 15 – vs New York Jets TBD | 0-0 |
| Week 16 – at Seattle Seahawks 4:05 PM ET CBS | 4-2 |
| Week 17 – vs Arizona Cardinals 4:25 PM ET FOX | 6-0 |
Miscellaneous Notes
| Aaron Donald led NFL in TFL in 2019 (24) |
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Rams had two receivers with 1000+ yards in 2019 (Kupp and Woods)
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Brown, Henderson, and Kelly rushed for a combined 411 yards in 2019
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| 2019 Offense Play Selection |
| Pass – 62.0% |
| Rush – 38.0% |
| PFF Top 5 Graded Players in 2019 |
| 1. Aaron Donald DT 93.6 |
| 2. Tyler Higbee TE 86.1 |
| 3. Robert Woods WR 82.2 |
| 4. Darious Williams CB 78.9 |
| 5. Troy Hill CB 76.4 |
| Players who opted out of 2020 season |
| Chandler Brewer OT |
Burning Question: Can the Rams replace the production of Todd Gurley?
Bottom Line: People forget how close the Rams came to a playoff appearance last year. They had 2 games that went down the wire with the 49ers and Seahawks in 2019. Had 2-3 plays from those games been flipped, we would be talking about how the Rams are coming off 3 straight playoff appearances.
This is beginning to look like a new LA Rams team. Sean McVay, Aaron Donald, and Jared Goff are still there. But Jalen Ramsey will have his first full season with the Rams. Cam Akers and Van Jefferson were drafted in the 2nd round in hopes they can contribute immediately. Taylor Rapp and Troy Hill will step into starting roles.
Overall, the Rams are a well built team despite losing some key pieces. They run into the same problem the Cardinals do and that is playing in this brutal division. I see a good season by the Rams and think they will play meaningful football late in December. I just don’t think it leads to a playoff berth.
Predicted Win Range: 7-9
