The Los Angeles Rams 2024 season could hardly have begun on a worse note. In LA’s Week 1 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions, star wide receiver Puka Nacua exited the game with a PCL sprain in his right knee.
In Week 2, the Rams fortunes hardly improved as they saw their other premiere pass catcher, Cooper Kupp, sustain an injury and exit the game. Kupp’s injury was ultimately ruled an ankle issue and his absence proved costly as the Rams suffered a 41-10 loss at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals.
Matthew Stafford’s best two pass-catchers were out multiple weeks and as a result, the Los Angeles offense suffered mightily. In the Rams’ next four games, they went 2-2 and averaged just 21 points per game.
Through the first seven weeks of the season, the LA defense also had its struggles. The Rams gave up just over 25 points per game up until their bye week. The only team the Rams held to 20 points or fewer was the Las Vegas Raiders, who finished the season with a 4-13 record.
With the Rams struggling on both sides of the ball, it seemed like a lost season was on the cards until their Week 8 matchup against the then 5-1 Minnesota Vikings. Under the bright lights of Thursday Night Football, the Rams came up with a 30-20 victory and both sides of the ball found a rhythm they’d carry into the rest of the season.
Nakua returned to the lineup and made his presence felt right away with 106 receiving yards, while on the other side, LA’s defense was able to contain a Minnesota offense that was averaging 28 points per game going into the matchup.
Week 9 witness Kupp’s comeback and the Rams won an overtime thriller against the Seattle Seahawks. This set the stage for the Rams to run the table in the NFC West, finishing with a 10-7 record, a division title and a playoff win a rematch against the Vikings.
The Rams’ offensive and defensive numbers were not eye-popping this season, but LA overcame a lot of adversity and made the most out of what many believed to be a failing midseason situation.
Without both Kupp and Nacua for a majority of the campaign, Los Angeles’ offense averaged 21.6 points per game. Additionally, in LA’s first season without Aaron Donald following his retirement, the Rams recovered from a slow start on defense and only surrendered 22.7 points per game throughout the regular season.
Turnovers and sacks played a key role in their defensive success. In the regular season, Los Angeles forced 20 turnovers and the Rams’ defensive intensity only increased once the postseason rolled around. In their two playoff games, the Rams totaled an eye-catching 16 sacks. Nine of those came in Los Angeles’ wild card win over the Vikings, which tied the NFL’s single-game playoff record.
When it comes to evaluating how this season went for Los Angeles, one must consider the adversity they faced and dealt with, but also acknowledge areas that could have made their lives easier and the performances more consistent.
The Rams offense struggled with costly turnovers and in particular, fumbles. Running back Kyren Williams tied for third among backs in regular season fumbles with five. Including the regular season and playoffs, Williams lost four total fumbles.
Defensively, Los Angeles’ run defense missed the services of Donald in the trenches and it was particularly noticeable in both of the Rams’ matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles. Running back Saquon Barkley ran for 460 yards and four touchdowns against Los Angeles this season.
Not many people expected the Rams to advance as far as they did given how they began the season and for that, they deserve credit. To advance further next season, Los Angeles will need to stay healthy and clean up self-imposed mistakes that often led them to beat themselves.
Final letter grade: B+