The Los Angeles Rams lost their season opener for the third time under Sean McVay on Thursday against the 49ers. Los Angeles has a mixed track record in the McVay era when rebounding from a Week 1 loss.
Under McVay, the Rams are 7-3 in season openers since the start of the 2017 campaign. The 20-point loss to San Francisco was their worst opening-game loss since the 2022 NFL season opener, when they lost by 21 points to the Bills.
Overall, LA has lost back-to-back games to begin a season only once since
McVay became coach. That is promising enough as the team looks past its Australian adventure to its upcoming primetime matchup against the Giants. Here is how the Rams have fared in the game after their past two season-opening losses.
2024 Week 2 – Lost 41-10 to Cardinals
Week 1 Result: Lost 26-20 to Lions in overtime
This one stunk to high heavens all around.
The Rams came into this one with injuries at wide receiver and offensive line. Regardless, no one expected Arizona to run them out of the stadium. Yeah, the same Cardinals team that would fall apart down the stretch and miss the playoffs.
The Redbirds started the game with a 21-0 lead and later 34-3 in the third quarter, so the outcome was never in doubt. They also amassed nearly 500 yards of offense to the Rams’ 245. LA truly never stood a chance.
Looking back, it’s amazing the Rams eventually recovered after such a poor start to win the NFC West and nearly advance to the NFC Championship.
2022 Week 2 – Won 31-27 over Falcons
Week 1 Result: Lost 31-10 to Bills
Following a humbling season-opening loss to Buffalo, the defending Super Bowl champions were making quick work of the Falcons.
LA jumped out to a 28-3 lead, which, against Atlanta, should’ve been the sign that the game would go haywire at some point. Still, the Rams led 31-10 early in the fourth quarter, a complete reversal from the week before. Then, things began to go south.
The Falcons scored touchdowns on two straight drives, narrowing the lead to six points. They drove all the way to LA’s 24-yard line before Jalen Ramsey saved the day with a jaw-dropping interception to seal the game.
Los Angeles was certainly fortunate not to fall to 0-2 after the near-collapse. A win is a win, and it was a highlight for them in a season that didn’t have many.
Rams facing pressure to rebound quickly
If the Rams cannot get past the Giants in Week 2, they could be in some serious trouble. The schedule gets BRUTAL after New York, so they must get things figured out quickly.
After the Giants come to town, LA will have road games at the Broncos and Eagles before returning home to face the Bills. Following the Buffalo game, the Cardinals will travel to Hollywood. Coming into the season, Arizona was expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. That could still be true, yet they kicked off the Mike LaFleur era in style with an upset win over the Chargers. It’s early, but they could be a tough out this season.
Needless to say, the pressure is on for a team expected to be a Super Bowl contender.
It will be tough with Myles Garrett now on IR. However, LA advanced to the NFC Championship without Garrett last season, so hope is not lost whatsoever. Several players could step up, including the returning Aaron Donald and Garrett’s backup Josaiah Stewart. They should be able to hold down the fort with the reigning Defensive Player of the Year out for a few games.
The Rams have been very successful under McVay, especially within the first two weeks of the season. McVay’s track record largely speaks for itself, and his team will need every bit of it if they hope to rebound against the Giants this week.
