With the 2021 NFL Draft over and the schedule officially being released, it’s time for my third annual 32 part series where the top three questions will be posed for each NFL team. Here are those three questions for the Los Angeles Rams.
Be sure to check out all of Heller’s Three Burning Questions.
Out with the New, in with the Old?
In last season’s edition of this series, the first question was whether last season was a make-or-break season for the Rams starting quarterback Jared Goff. The first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, who led his team to the Super Bowl in 2018, where they lost to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, made the playoffs last season, for the third time in his five seasons. Goff statistically had a down season. He failed to reach the 4,000-yard passing mark in each of the two seasons prior he tallied over 4,600 yards. He threw just 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. But even a Wildcard berth and a playoff win against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks didn’t help keep his job.
The Rams traded Goff to the Detroit Lions for veteran, and the top overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Matthew Stafford, shortly after the season came to an end. The team is hoping the numbers Stafford has consistently posted in the Motor City will translate out west. With the duo of Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp combined with the speedy veteran Desean Jackson, who the Rams added in the offseason, the 33-year-old Stafford has an impressive arsenal at his disposal. The team could put up some rather impressive point totals week after week.
Is the Defense Still Among the Elite Units in the NFL?
Last season’s playoff appearance was more of a credit to the defense, led once again by Aaron Donald. He continued to dominate opposing offensive linemen and quarterbacks. Donald ended the season with 13.5 sacks. He also took home his third NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, in four years. Heading into this season he’s the favorite for this award again.
Will the One-Two Punch Continue to Rack up Yards?
In a rather rare occasion, the Rams running back by committee last season worked nicely. The trio of Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson, and 2020 second-round pick Cam Akers combined for over 1,600 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. Brown is now in Miami with the Dolphins, so the team is hoping that Akers and Henderson as a one-two punch improve on last year’s totals, which in return will help Stafford.
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