Rams A Playoff Team Over Seahawks? Cowherd Says So
In stark contrast to previous years, the Los Angeles Rams don't have very high expectations heading into the 2023 season.
It's not too hard to see why, as L.A. is coming off a 5-12 season and lost some key players in the offseason. Due to this, many are predicting another year of no playoff football for the Rams, but not everyone is in agreement.
Some believe that because the Rams still have a few star players and one of the league's top coaches in Sean McVay, who led the team to a championship just 17 months ago, they could be a dark-horse playoff contender.
Among the supporters is FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd. The controversial host has a surprisingly optimistic prediction for the Rams in 2023, projecting them to place second in the NFC West and claim a wild card spot. He even has the Rams barely edging out the division rival Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card race.
“I think the Rams and the Seahawks, like the Titans and Texans, will be tied at the end of the year, both winning about nine games,” Cowherd said. “I don’t think Geno Smith will double down on that year. Most of their stars are still very young, schedule may be a tad tougher.
"The Rams still have Stafford, they have Sean McVay, they have Cooper Kupp, they have Aaron Donald. Don’t tell me they’re gonna stay down long. It’s a coach-quarterback-weapon league.”
If the Rams are going to surprise people this season, their star trio will have to do much of the heavy lifting. The roster outside of those three players is lacking in experience, so it will be up to the few veterans to lead the way.
L.A. also won't have it easy in the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers are clearly the class of the division, so the Rams and Seahawks are battling for second place. The Seahawks had the better season in 2022, but the healthy Rams team should put up a good fight.
While the Rams have many questions in 2023, a return to the playoffs isn't outside the realm of possibility.
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