You heard it here first, the Los Angeles Rams will make it to the team’s first Super Bowl appearance since the 1999 season.
The Rams did lose in a blowout versus the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 9 in the first preseason game of the 2018-19 season, however, it’s still just the preseason, so that loss doesn’t count and should not be examined harshly.
Last year marked the Rams second season back in L.A. The team compiled an 11-5 record en route to its first playoff berth since 2004 and a first place finish in the National Football Conference West Division.
The year prior, the team had an abysmal season and finished at 4-12, missing the playoffs yet again for the 13th consecutive season.
With that being said, this is the year of the Rams. The year this team takes it to another level and reaches the Super Bowl.
The main reason for the upcoming ascension is because the team is loaded with talent, starting at MVP candidate running back Todd Gurley, quarterback Jared Goff, and defensive end Aaron Donald.
Another key cog of the team is head coach Sean McVay, who took home coach of the year honors last season, his first with the Rams.
The team just got even better as well this past off-season, from current players taking that next step in working out and getting better, to new additions elevating the already solid roster.
Rams general manager Les Snead traded for three All-Pro players, in addition to signing another All-Pro player in free agency.
After getting a taste of regular season success and then later feeling playoff disappointment, this Rams squad is ready to have a dream-like season similar to that of the 2015 Carolina Panthers team that went 15-1 and clinched a Super Bowl berth.
The difference between this crew and the Panthers is that the Rams have an unstoppable force at running back, something Carolina did not possess.
Gurley will be the difference maker and take home Super Bowl MVP honors.
The road to a Super Bowl berth will not come easy, as the team will most likely have to get past either the Falcons or the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning champions.
However, this Rams team is young, hungry and has had time to grow. Couple those features with the talent on the roster and you’ve got the makings of a championship team.
Record prediction: 13-3
Playoff outcome: Super Bowl win
The Rams are currently 2-1 in preseason games.
Regular season action for the Rams kicks off on Sept. 10 at 7:20 p.m. versus the Oakland Raiders.