The LA Rams have dropped in most power rankings after losing to the Broncos on Sunday, but still linger around the edge of the top-10.
After a dominant first half against Denver, three significant injuries before the second half flipped the script. Both the offense and defense struggled and the Rams surrendered a 16-point lead to lose by four. Naturally, they dropped in all but one of the eight rankings listed.
This sample of eight sites reflects the consensus, and the average ranking of these eight prognosticators
is 8.5, up from last week’s 5.75.
Pete Prisco: Dropped from 8 to 10
“The Dream Team is 1-2 after three weeks. So much for cruising to a Super Bowl. They need Myles Garrett and Puka Nacua back in the worst way.”
Fox Sports Ralph Vacchiano: Dropped from 5 to 9
“They looked worn down against the Broncos, especially late in the game. They still are a top-10 team and might be even better once star defensive end Myles Garrett and WR Puka Nacua return.”
NFL.com Nick Shook: Dropped from 8 to 13
“We’ve seen the Rams look flat (20-point loss to the 49ers in Australia), play like an elite team (22-point win over the Giants in Los Angeles) and collapse in a road game they led 16-0 at halftime (Sunday night’s defeat to the Broncos). It’s better to get these mistakes out of the way now, but we can all agree this isn’t how we expected L.A. to start its season.“
Mike FlorioPFT: Up from 9 to 8
“With the Eagles and Bills coming up, the Rams need to flush Sunday night’s outcome quickly.”
USA TodayNate Davis: Dropped from 4 to 6
“They probably got jobbed Sunday night, their 13 penalties − including five in the final two minutes − the most against them in Sean McVay’s 10-year tenure. They still nearly won … without WR Puka Nacua … without OLB Myles Garrett … with DL Aaron Donald producing four tackles and two pressures in two games … with a 1-for-4 red-zone night. It’s hardly time to panic here.“
SI Conor Orr:Dropped from 5 to 7
“If Myles Garrett is in that game are we talking about Denver erasing a 16-point deficit? The issue with the Rams is going to be patience as we wait for the team we were promised to finally materialize together. When Aaron Donald signed, I predicted it would look a little like trying to see the Dodgers at their playoff roster strength. That feels accurate a month into the season.“
Yahoo SportsFrank Schwab: Dropped from 4 to 6
“Dropping the Rams even this far doesn’t seem like it will age well. The Rams played on Sunday night at Denver, a team that is 16-4 in its last 20 games, and lost in the final minute after a bad defensive pass interference call. They were without two players who are arguably top 10 non-quarterbacks in the NFL, Myles Garrett and Puka Nacua. It was a reasonable loss. Check the Super Bowl betting odds: The Rams are still favorites at some books, or just behind the Bills. They’re 1-2 but don’t be fooled into thinking this isn’t a very good team. The Rams will be just fine.”
NY Post Ryan Dunleavy : Dropped from 6 to 9
“The Rams suffered their largest blown halftime lead (16) points since 2001 in the loss to the Broncos. Matthew Stafford’s 33rd career interception returned for a touchdown — an NFL record — was a fourth-quarter killer. He threw for 390 yards — 137 of which went to Davante Adams. Josh Wallace had an interception — and could’ve had two if not for a controversial pass interference penalty.”
Next Week: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are 2-1, having lost on Monday Night Football to the Chicago Bears, 27-7. But despite a winning record, both the offense and defense are having their struggles, as they are 23rd in scoring and 32nd in takeaways. Despite Philadelphia’s reputation, they are ripe for a Rams rebound.
