The Los Angeles Rams have taken over the top spot in ESPN's newest power rankings from the Seattle Seahawks, and it's not hard to see why.
Los Angeles entered the offseason as a Super Bowl contender and only strengthened its case from there. The blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett gave the Rams a true difference-maker up front, and the return of Aaron Donald out of retirement pairs him with Garrett to form arguably the most dominant interior-to-edge combination in football. Add in Matthew Stafford coming off an MVP-caliber season, an offense that returns its full starting lineup, and a defense that added Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson via trade and free agency, and it's clear why evaluators see few holes on this roster.
The Rams simply don't
have many flaws. The offensive line is settled, the receiver room is solid, the secondary got an upgrade, and now the pass rush might be the best in the league. Health and availability remain the only real question marks — Donald is 35 and two years removed from football, Garrett and receiver Puka Nacua have missed time with ailments, and Stafford is already 38. But on paper, Los Angeles has assembled a roster built to compete for a championship on both sides of the ball.
It's a notable shift after Seattle knocked the Rams out of the playoffs last season in the NFC Championship Game. But with the additions made this offseason, the Rams enter the year as the team to beat — not just in the NFC West, but in the entire NFL.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams climb to No. 1 in ESPN's latest NFL power rankings
