From 1-4 to in control of NFC West: LA Rams

Darnell Sallins

December 16, 2024

The Los Angeles Rams are leading the NFC West after Week 15 in the NFL season. After a struggling start to the season where the Rams went 1-4 in the five games, the Rams are in position to capture their fourth NFC West Title since 2017.

The start of season was rough due to injuries to key players. Puka Nacua reaggravated his knee injury from training camp in opening night's loss at Detroit Lions. Puka would miss the next five games. In Week Two, the Rams lost Cooper Kupp to injury in blowout lost to the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale. Those were just the "known" players for the Rams, however the Rams had injuries up front that were most costly in the beginning of the season.

The Rams had used 11 different offensive linemen as the injuries from training camp plagued the Rams into the 2024 season. Offensive Guard Kevin Dotson dealt with an ankle injury. Offensive Tackle Rob Havenstein was dealing with a foot injury. Center/Guard Steve Avila had a sprained MCL. Offensive Tackle Joe Noteboom had an ankle injury. Free agent acquisition Alaric Jackson had to serve a two-game suspension.

The Rams will get their first win of the season at home against the San Francisco 49ers but would lose the next two games to start 1-4. A six-point loss at Chicago and a five-point loss to Green Bay at home. The Rams then had their bye week in Week 6, very early bye week, but a needed one.

After the bye week, the Rams hosted the Raiders and won 20-15 thanks to the defense forcing four turnovers. Then, in a quick turnaround, the Rams hosted a red-hot Minnesota Vikings team sitting at 5-2 and challenging the Lions for the NFC North. However, the Rams got much-needed reinforcements in WRs Coope Kupp and Puka Nacua returning. The Rams would stun the Vikings on Thursday Night Football 30-20, and the Rams would begin the comeback season.

The Rams would go on a three-game winning streak after winning on the road in Seattle in overtime over division rival Seahawks. The Rams would loss to the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night, win at New England, and loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night in Week 12. Saquon Barkley had a career night in SoFi Stadium against the Rams.

Nevertheless, the Rams sitting at 5-6 through 12 weeks were still in playoff contention and the NFC West but it looked kind of grim. On one hand, the offense could not get off the fast starts and thus always playing from behind in most games. On the hand, the young defense led by first time defensive coordinator, Chris Shula, played young and inexperienced that contributed some that close losses on the season. However, the season isn't over, and the Rams still have games to play.

Then, the Rams would rip off another three-game winning streak to now lead the NFC West. A tough road win in New Orleans over the Saints in Week 13, 21-14. A game where the young defense made a goal line stand from the one-yard line to preserve the win. Next it was America's Game of the Week, as MVP front-runner Josh Allen and the red-hot Buffalo Bills came to SoFi Stadium.

Josh Allen showed why he is the MVP of the National Football League, accounting for 424 total yards and six touchdowns and lose. That's right despite Josh Allen being unstoppable, the Rams would win this game behind the offense. Matthew Stafford threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns, Kyren Williams ran in tow scores, and Puka Nacua also contributed two touchdowns along with 162 receiving yards. The Rams won arguably the game of the year, 44-42 over the Bills.

A quick turnaround for the Rams as they had to travel to Santa Clara for the return match against division rival 49ers. Offense was hard to come by in this rainy slugfest. The Rams' defense came up big, forcing the lone turnover of the game when Brock Purdy was picked off by Darious Williams. Kiker Josh Karty connected on all four of his goals and Rams left the Bay Area with 12-6 win.

That began Week 15 of the NFL season and Week 15 ended with the Packers defeated the Seahawks on Sunday Night, thus putting the Rams in first of the NFC West.

Now the Rams are in control of the division and clinch the title by simply just winning. Rams just needs to win at the New York Jets on Sunday and against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17 coupled with the Seahawks losing to either the Vikings or at Chicago in Week 17, the Rams clinch. The other way is beat Seahawks at home in Week 18.