Rams Could Be in For Rough Beginning to 2023 Season
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The Los Angeles Rams are looking to rebound from an ugly 5-12 campaign a season ago, and they'll be tested out of the gate immediately in 2023. And with a young-new look roster, could get tough before they get better.
Head coach Sean McVay, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and quarterback Matthew Stafford are each set to return after retirement rumors for all three surrounded the offseason. While Cooper Kupp also returns on the outside as one of the league's best wideouts.
However, gone will be Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner, Leonard Floyd, Greg Gaines, Nick Scott, A'Shawn Robinson, Allen Robinson, Travin Howard, Coleman Shelton, Taylor Rapp, David Edwards, and Matt Gay, among others.
And those impact veterans are now set to be replaced by youth and inexperience via the draft and undrafted free agency, thanks in large part to the Rams' salary cap issues.
As a result, when the season kicks off, Los Angeles will have a September/first day of October slate in which it feels entirely possible that it could start 0-4.
Let's take a look:
Week 1: At Seattle Seahawks
Seattle was one of the major surprises of the 2022 season, going 9-8 and sneaking in the postseason in their first year without Russell Wilson. Geno Smith was a top-half-of-the-league quarterback, and running back Kenneth Walker was one of the most intriguing rookies. With first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba joining a wide receiving corps that already included D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks could take a step towards competing for the NFC West title in 2023. And when you consider that Lumen Field is one of the hardest stadiums to travel into, the Rams are likely to start 0-1.
Week 2: Vs. San Francisco 49ers
The only home game that the Rams will have in September is when they welcome the 49ers to So-Fi Stadium in Week 2, which makes you wonder who they pissed off at the league office. Whether it's Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold or Trey Lance at quarterback for the 49ers, you can bet that head coach Kyle Shanahan will have one of the most impressive teams in the league. And McVay doesn't have a great history coaching in games against his long-time friend.
Week 3: At Cincinnati Bengals
In our latest NFL Power Rankings, the Bengals came in at No. 3, as opposed to No. 25 for the Rams. We're a long way away from the Rams defeating the Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI, even if that much time hasn't actually passed. Joe Burrow and the Bengals will likely be favored by at least a touchdown entering this tilt.
Week 4: At Indianapolis Colts
In theory, a matchup with the 4-12-1 should be the first situation where the Rams are favored in 2023. But the Colts have one of the best running backs in the NFL in Jonathan Taylor and are hoping for a bounce-back season from a once-stout offensive line. It's unclear whether veteran Gardner Minshew or first-round pick Anthony Richardson will be the starting quarterback to begin the season. But if it's Richarson, the No. 4 overall pick will likely have his share of growing pains. Still, his running ability makes him a wild card, especially with new head coach Shane Steichen -- who has previously helped to develop Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts -- now at the helm.
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