When FTN’s Aaron Schatz — the architect of DVOA — posts something eye-catching, NFL observers usually perk up. This week, he offered a Los Angeles Rams stunner:
“Since 1978, these are the only teams to be 1st in both offensive and defensive DVOA after Week 10 or later.
1994 Cowboys Wk 12-13
2001 Rams Wk 16-17
2007 Pats Wk 11
2014 Broncos Wk 10, 13
2025 Rams Wk 12
That’s all.”
He followed with an even stronger endorsement: “The Rams are really good. And they’re incredibly consistent. They don’t have a single game with DVOA under 20%, even the two losses. They don’t have any ‘we scraped by’ wins. All good wins.”
That last line captures the essence of this 9-2 Rams team, now winners of six straight and sitting alone atop the NFC. Their 34-7 dismantling of Tampa Bay was only the latest example of just how complete this roster has become, and the Rams power rankings reflected that. Across all publications, the Rams moved to the number 1 spot.
Support Local and Independent Sports Writing – Subscribe To the LAFB Network Today!
Stafford’s MVP Case Reaches Another Level
The Matthew Stafford conversation has shifted from “good start” to “league’s most valuable player” with startling speed. He torched Tampa early, throwing three touchdowns before halftime and finishing 25-of-35 for 273 yards and no interceptions. His streak has now reached historic heights: 27 touchdown passes without a pick, tying Tom Brady for the longest such run in league history.
Davante Adams, who’s caught 12 touchdowns already, put it plainly:
“He’s playing like the most valuable player in the league… He’s a great leader and obviously knows how to put points on the board and keep this offense moving.”
Even Stafford admitted this one felt different:
“Today it was early. I thought Sean did a hell of a job dialing it up for us early on, and we were able to go put the pedal to the metal.”
This is the backbone of L.A.’s offensive surge. Stafford leads the NFL in passer rating, has thrown 30 touchdowns to just two interceptions, and is operating with a calm command that reflects the years-long mind-meld between him and Sean McVay.
A Defense Rising in Tandem
This Puka-Flex T-Shirt Is Illegal In Philly
A historic offense alone doesn’t put the Rams in the same breath as the ’94 Cowboys or ’07 Patriots. That requires a defense equally ferocious — and Chris Shula’s unit has become exactly that.
The Rams are allowing just 16.3 points per game, best in the league. Edge rushers Byron Young, Jared Verse, and the ascendant Kobie Turner have turned the front into a quarterback-squeezing machine. Turner’s two-sack performance against Tampa only added to a breakout season — and his newfound national spotlight for his piano talents didn’t hurt either.
The secondary, meanwhile, is finding answers even amid injuries. Emmanuel Forbes, a player discarded by Washington and scooped up by Les Snead, delivered one of the best performances by any corner in years: seven targets, zero completions allowed, per Next Gen Stats. His resurgence has stabilized a once-thin defensive backfield.
Rams Power Rankings: A Team Without Weaknesses
The advanced metrics aren’t exaggerating — the Rams have not trailed since Week 6, and no phase of their team is faltering. They score, they suffocate, and they adapt week to week with startling consistency.
The recent history of elite DVOA teams shows that dominance doesn’t guarantee a Super Bowl. But it does guarantee opportunity — and the Rams have positioned themselves to chase a season for the record books.
If Stafford keeps dealing, if the defense keeps tightening the screws, and if this roster continues to peak in sync, the Rams won’t simply resemble historic teams. They’ll join them.
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Rams YouTube Channel