The Los Angeles Rams are at the midseason point, having played the first nine games of the season. With 17 games, there isn’t necessarily a defined midseason point. However, nine games in and before the Rams enter
an important stretch seems like as good as a place as any to split the season. The awards included here are all of the main NFL awards in addition to a few fun ones. Let’s jump right into it.
Midseason MVP: Matthew Stafford
It should be no surprise that Matthew Stafford is the Rams’ MVP up to this point of the season. At 37 years old, Stafford is playing some of the best football of his career. The Rams offense ranks third in EPA per play and Stafford is a big reason for that. Through nine games, Stafford has thrown 25 touchdowns to two interceptions to go with 2400 yards passing. He led a fourth quarter comeback against the Indianapolis Colts and put the Rams in position to win both games that they’ve lost.
The Rams are 7-2 in large part because Stafford is playing the most efficient football of his career. He has the most big-time throws this season and is playing within the offense. For the first time in his career, it doesn’t feel as if Stafford is trying to do too much and force things that may not be available. There is much less hero-ball, but that doesn’t mean Stafford still isn’t doing the special things he’s capable of. He’s simply doing it within the offensive structure.
Midseason OPOY: Puka Nacua
The last few weeks have certainly impacted the way Puka Nacua’s 2025 is viewed as well as by his injury. However, it’s important to remember that this is someone that was on pace to surpass Cooper Kupp’s receptions and yards from his triple crown season. When the Rams need a play, they go to Nacua. He is still the most important player in the offense. From Weeks 1-6, Nacua ranked second in yards per route at 3.54 while leading the NFL in receptions. Nacua was also second in first downs per route.
It will be interesting to see how Nacua’s usage changes over the second half of the season when the Rams line up in 13 personnel. Most of the time, the wide receiver on the field has been Davante Adams or a speed guy like Xavier Smith or Konata Mumpfield. That may not be a bad thing though as the Rams look to keep Nacua fresh. Since the bye week, Nacua has only ran 44 routes and ranks 12th in receptions, but he is still efficient with over three yards per route.
Midseason DPOY: Nate Landman
While it would be nice to put Jared Verse here, the answer is very clearly Nate Landman. An argument could also be made for Byron Young who leads the Rams in sacks. This isn’t to say that Verse has had a bad season, but Landman has been special. When the Rams defense has needed a play, Landman has been there to make it. It was his forced fumble that won the game for the Rams against the Houston Texans in Week 1. The Rams linebacker has three forced fumbles this season and all have seemingly come in a big moment.
The Rams are in a spot now where they historically don’t invest or pay linebackers. However, Landman has played his way into potential extension consideration through the first half of the season. Outside of the turnovers, he’s also been a major reason for the Rams improving against the run on defense this season.
Midseason Rookie of the Year: Josaiah Stewart
The Rams haven’t necessarily had an impactful rookie class up to this point. Terrance Ferguson is starting to get involved while Jarquez Hunter is a weekly scratch. Ty Hamilton and Konata Mumpfield have been used in a light rotation. That leaves Josaiah Stewart, but that’s not necessarily only by default. Stewart has actually been pretty good this year as the third edge rusher behind Verse and Young.
Stewart has been good dropping into coverage in the role that Michael Hoecht played last year. Despite having the most coverage snaps among rookie edge rushers, Stewart has allowed just 4.5 yards per reception. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before he gets an interception or makes a big play.
Midseason Protector of the Year: Kevin Dotson
The offensive line for the Rams has been a main talking point for much of the first half of the season. There were injuries to Steve Avila and Rob Havenstein while Coleman Shelton struggled at times at center. Alaric Jackson has been fine, but there may have been some rust after missing most of the offseason. Kevin Dotson has been the stable presence in the middle of the Rams offensive line.
Dotson will likely never get All Pro or Pro Bowl recognition. However, he ranks second among guards in run blocking and looks more comfortable in pass protection next to Rob Havenstein. An argument could be made for Steve Avila who has only allowed four pressures this year. For now, Dotson takes it.
Midseason Asst. Coach of the Year: Chris Shula
Chris Shula deserves a lot of credit for how he has this defense playing. The Rams secondary was questioned all offseason and they lost their top cornerback, Ahkello Witherspoon, to injury. In response, Shula has schemed the Rams defense to take pressure off of the cornerbacks and put more focus on the safeties. Quentin Lake has developed into one of the better, more versatile safeties in the NFL.
At best, the Rams defense was seen as an average unit coming into the season and they currently rank inside the top-five. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Shula get serious head coaching looks this summer. Shula has the Rams defense playing very well and some of that is because of his scheme.
Midseason Best Offseason Addition: Poona Ford
An argument could be made for Davante Adams who has been very difficult to defend in the red zone in recent weeks. However, it would be difficult to go through an exercise like this and not include Poona Ford. The focus for the Rams this offseason was done with the idea to defend better against the run. It was their downfall against the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs last season and it wasn’t going to happen again.
The Rams signed Ford to be a big body on their defensive line that could stop the run. He currently ranks fourth in run stop rate via PFF and third in run stop win rate via ESPN. The Rams as a defense rank fourth in EPA per rush and have given up the fourth-fewest yards before contact per attempt. A lot of that is because of Ford.
Midseason Surprise Player: Quentin Lake
While Quentin Lake was an important piece of the Rams defense, it’s hard to say anybody expected this. Lake is playing at a Pro Bowl level right now and earning a big extension this offseason. The Rams have him playing all over their defense as if he’s Jalen Ramsey. Lake plays in the slot and in the box. He can also play as the deep safety as needed. The Rams safety has been one of the best slot defenders this season and is the eighth-highest graded safety via PFF.
Lake has gone from an important piece of the Rams defense to arguably the most important piece of the Rams defense. What Shula is able to do on the backend in the secondary is in large part because of Lake. He is a perfect fit in this scheme and the Rams defense is performing at a high level because of it.
