Los Angeles Rams 2020 Win Total Prediction
The 2018 Los Angeles Rams competed for a SuperBowl. In 2019 they finished 9-7, missing the playoffs. As we enter the 2020 season what Rams team will we get? Contender, mediocrity, slow and gradual decline? Let’s take a look and see why we are making a wager on the Rams season wins total.
The team released running back Todd Gurley, who now joins the Atlanta Falcons. Gurley had 5404 rushing yards and 70 total TDS over a five year stint with the Rams to end his tenure as the teams 6th all-time leading rusher. Gone is LB Clay Matthews who collected 37 tackles in 13 games last season with LA. Headed to Houston is WR Brandin Cooks whose 122 catches and 7 receiving TDs in his 2 years with the Rams will now catch balls from DeShaun Watson. DE/LB Dante Fowler Jr. who contributed 79 tackles in his 2 years with the Rams will join Gurley in Atlanta Falcons during free agency. Matthews and Fowler combined for 19.5 sacks last season and will be greatly missed on the defensive side of the ball. LB Cory Littleton who started all 16 games for the last 2 season collected 259 tackles including 5 INTs which will deal another major blow to the defense in 2020. The Ramd did bring in DT A’Shawn Robinson whose 172 total tackles in four season with the Detroit Lions will add strength to a D-Line that already has sack machine DE Aaron Donald (72 for his career), and DE Michael Brockers (Career high 63 tackles last season), the space to work the outside.
Competing for touches out of the backfield will be second-round pick Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown, who has never eclipsed over 300+ rushing yards in any season over his 5 years in the league, John Kelly who has 30 rushing yards over 8 games in the last 2 season, and Darrell Henderson, a second year back with 147 rushing yards in 13 games. Sorry but that doesn’t’ exactly strike fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators week to week.
WR Cooper Kupp remains a top WR in the league and WR Robert Woods has put up back to back over 1000 receiving yards season. WR Josh Reynolds will need to step up and absorb some the targets that went to Cooks Second-round pick wideout Van Jefferson out of Florida should also compete for targets in his rookie campaign.
In his third season as the Rams full-time starter, QB Jared Goff was unimpressive, throwing for 22 touchdowns with 16 interceptions good for a QB rating of just 86.5. Goff regressed from his 2018 SuperBowl campaign when he tossed 32 TDs and only 12 INTs. What Jared Goff will emerge this season? Unfortunately not one I would be confident heading into a 2020 campaign as my starter.
The Rams and will have their hands full with some tough matchups in 2020 – Dallas Cowboys (week 1), Philadelphia Eagles (week 2), Buffalo Bills (Week 3), San Francisco 49ers (week 6, 12), Seattle Seahawks (week 10,16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 11), Arizona Cardinals (week 13, 17), New England Patriots (week 14). Head Coach Sean McVay will need to capture the magic to keep this team as a legit contender in the already tough NFC West.
I’ll take my chances with the Los Angeles Rams Team Total under 9 wins. Good luck cappers!
