On this side of Christmas, seven losses is all but a nail in the coffin for playoff hopes for any team. That’s why it is paramount for the Los Angeles Rams to go on a winning streak now, not later. However, they’re going to need a series of things to break their way for this to happen. Here’s a look at what needs to happen for Sean McVay to get the Rams record to .500.
Health
Luckily, the team appears to already have the first part of the equation on their side. Matthew Stafford‘s availability was teetering on disaster heading into this week, but there’s good news. It appears the quarterback will be available for the upcoming Week 11 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will be available as well. However, the biggest loss for the game will be Kyren Williams.
That said, McVay has said that he’s expecting Williams back after the game in time for Week 12’s matchup. As such, Williams’ return serves as a carrot for the team if they can win in Week 11. Of course, this all goes without saying that all-star players will need to be healthy throughout the next three games.
Schedule
A three-game winning streak is far from impossible. First, they play the aforementioned Seahawks who barely survived the Washington Commanders to rise to 6-3. The record might be intimidating, but the Rams have delivered the Seahawks one of their three losses this season. That was before Kyren Williams broke out as a star offensive piece.
Then, following that, they take on the 2-8 Arizona Cardinals. While this is the easiest game of the three, they will need to contend with a returned Kyler Murray who is 1-0 in his time back with the team. This game also takes place in Arizona, which could either be rocking with fans excited to have their quarterback back or it could be a bit more manageable with the Cardinals squarely at the bottom of the NFC.
The Rams’ last game to claw back to .500 will be the 6-3 Cleveland Browns. While the Browns have unseated some of the most difficult opponents in football this season via the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, the top beast of the Browns has been their defense. Deshaun Watson has thrown for just seven touchdowns and four interceptions this season, essentially matching his production from 2022. If the Rams can muster above-average points, they have a decent shot. As a bonus, the Rams will be playing in SoFi Stadium.
Elevation
Last but not least, the Rams need to sync up and play the best they have all season. They’ve had pieces individually have great games between Nacua, Kupp, and Williams, but they haven’t all played their best games at once. Additionally, Matthew Stafford hasn’t quite played like his 2021 self yet this season. To beat the Browns and likely one of the two other teams along the way, it’s going to take a combination of pieces firing on all cylinders. The Rams have the pieces. They simply need to put it together.
If all of this can happen, the Rams can become the talk of the league in a similar way to how former archrival Russell Wilson is currently basking in his own unlikely 3-win run.
What will the Rams record be after the 2nd half?
