News Rams Team Notes

[Los Angeles Rams]

Stafford, Jackson expected to start for Rams vs. Texans

Throughout much of the offseason, there have been some questions regarding the status of quarterback Matthew Stafford and left tackle Alaric Jackson for Week 1. According to head coach Sean McVay, Stafford is expected to start. While McVay wasn’t didn’t have as much conviction with Jackson, the Rams head coach did say that the play was for Jackson to start against the Houston Texans.

Stafford missed the entirety of training camp with an aggravated disc in his back. The Rams quarterback received an epidural and didn’t practice fully until a few weeks ago. His first full practice since OTAs came on August 18th and Stafford has been practicing ever since.

The situation for Jackson is a little bit more fluid. While the Rams remain optimistic, Jackson’s blood clots are something that will need to be monitored throughout the season. Still, the plan right now is for Jackson to play and start against the Texans on Sunday.

For Stafford, there hasn’t ever been a ton of concern about whether or not he would play Week 1. Stafford has been one of the tougher quarterbacks in the league throughout his career. The questions will start to arise after Stafford takes his first hit and takes on a full game’s workload. How the physicality and wear and tear of an NFL season will be something to monitor.

When it comes to Jackson, he’ll be someone to monitor on a weekly basis. Last season, Christian Barmore played his first game after managing blood clots on November 16. On December 19, the Patriots defensive lineman was placed back on injured reserve. This isn’t necessarily an issue that’s just going to go away.

A full injury report won’t be released until Wednesday. However, this is good news for the Rams as they head into an important Week 1 matchup.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...s-injury-news-matthew-stafford-alaric-jackson

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Former Rams RB Malcolm Brown finding purpose after football

Since stepping away from the NFL, former Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown has been navigating life after football with the same drive and focus he brought to the game. Professional athletes often struggle with the transition to normal life after retirement. That was also the case from Brown who took his last snaps back in 2022.

“It’s a weird space,” said Brown. “We spend so much time being good at something, and then when you step away, either there’s nothing to be good at or you’re trying stuff and not immediately good at it.”

Brown had always been good at football. At Byron P. Steele in Cibolo, Texas, he rushed for back-to-back 2,000 yard seasons. His senior year, he rushed for a school-record 2,596 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading Steele to its first ever state championship. Brown earned his spot as a 5-star recruit and was considered a top-three player at his position. Staying in his home state of Texas, Brown spent four years with the Longhorns — three of which came under legendary head coach Mack Brown.

At Texas, Brown started 25 games and ended his career ninth on the Texas all-time rushing yards list. He had 11 career 100-yard games which was tied for the seventh most in school history. This is a program that has produced names like Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell.

While Brown went undrafted in 2015, he signed to join the St. Louis Rams and earned a spot on the 53-man roster late in his rookie season. When Sean McVay took over in 2017, Brown became a staple in the running back room along with Todd Gurley.

“Just the system that he brought, and that’s one thing that I do admire even now,” said Brown. “A lot of things that we’re used to as players, we need systems. Sean had a system for everything. Being able to have that foundational system and work off of that, I think that’s the same thing with life to be honest.”

That foundational system is something that some players struggle to find once they leave the game. It’s exactly what Pro Athlete Community has been building and helping former players find. PAC is a first-of-its-kind network built exclusively for pro athletes to navigate life beyond sports. The organization recently announced that it has opened its membership to all current and former professional athletes from verified leagues.

Created in 2022, PAC has assisted current and former professional athletes with the next steps in their life following the conclusion of their elite competitive careers, whether that be further educational goals, business ventures, or giving back to the community.

“Getting involved with PAC was the spark and honestly gave me the comfort to step away from the game,” Brown said. “Right now, I’m building out a private investment firm, putting together a portfolio of service-based businesses that provide reliable, steady income. That allows me the freedom to invest in more innovative and passion-driven projects down the line.”

Additionally, Brown and one of his good friends will have a drink stand called SipIt at SoFi Stadium this season, featuring an assortment of alcoholic and virgin drinks. The chain with over a dozen locations across Texas and the San Antonio area was in the Alamodome for the Alamo Bowl last December as well as the Final Four. They will now move to the NFL stage at SoFi Stadium. It’s all come full circle for Brown. Back in 2020, he scored the first two touchdowns at SoFi Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys and will now see one of his business endeavors operating in the same building.

Other Rams players involved in PAC include Terrell Burgess, Jake Funk, and Bryce Perkins. The consistent theme among players involved in PAC is the sense of community it provides, bridging the gap between the camaraderie in the lockerroom that players value and professional growth outside the sport.

“I spread the word about PAC to a lot of players because it’s just such an amazing resource and guide,” said Brown. “You’re not going to go to one PAC event and just figure it all out, but you’ll get the spark. You’ll connect with different players. It still has that locker room feel.”

Former professional athletes can often struggle finding purpose after their playing careers. However, as Brown illustrates, embracing the challenge of developing new skills is beneficial. With the support of PAC, the former Rams running back has demonstrated that stepping away from the game can mark the beginning of new, rewarding challenges and the opportunity to build a new community.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-news/125573/rams-malcolm-brown-pac

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

My 2025 Rams win-loss record prediction

Win predictions are fun, and because you showed us yours, I was hoping to show you mine! I have the Los Angeles Rams going a strong 11-6 this season. Last year, I had the Rams going to 12-5, and while they came up short of that mark with a 10-7 record, they still did well enough clinch a playoff spot.

Will L.A. be able to make a run at the post season for their third time in a row?

Week 1 vs. Houston Texans: Win. The Rams start the season hot with Mattew Stafford’s back being the winning storyline of the game as he gets through the contest with a victory. This should be a tight one-score affair, but L.A. pulls through.

Week 2 @ Tennessee Titans: Win. Cam Ward will someday make everyone remember the Titans, but not today. Rams win this early-window game.

Week 3 @ Philadelphia Eagles: Loss. Sean McVay continues his career unable to beat Nick Sirianni.

Week 4 vs. Indianapolis Colts: Win. The Colts will be good in the AFC, but they will not be in the same class as the Rams.

Week 5 vs. San Francisco 49ers: Win. The 49ers are one of the bigger mysteries in the NFL, they’ll be good, but it will take them time before their offense is healthy and starts clicking. L.A. takes advantage of this early season matchup.

Week 6 @ Baltimore Ravens: Loss. Lamar Jackson finds a way to silence L.A. as he outduels Stafford.

Week 7 @ Jacksonville Jaguars: Win. The Rams are the more complete team as the Jaguars continue to build up their own defense and figure out the best ways for them to use Travis Hunter.

Week 8 bye week

Week 9 vs. New Orleans Saints: Win. The Saints started out last year with a 2-0 record, and one of the best-looking offenses in the league. Do you remember that? No one does.

Week 10 @ San Francisco 49ers: Loss. The 49ers will be clicking by now as they stun the Rams.

Week 11 vs. Seattle Seahawks: Win. Jared Verse has Sam Darnold seeing ghosts.

Week 12 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Loss. The Bucs are one of the best teams in the league by this point, and Baker Mayfield wins the game, but has nothing but great things to say about L.A. afterwords, crediting McVay with helping his career.

Week 13 @ Carolina Panthers: Win. Bryce Young could be a great story, but the Panthers are not as complete as the Rams this year.

Week 14 @ Arizona Cardinals: Win. This is Kyler Murray’s last year with the Cardinals, and this team looks very different entering the 2026 season.

Week 15 vs. Detroit Lions: Win. The Lions do not win 15 games this year (the amount of wins they secured last season), and McVay gets the better of Jared Goff in this one.

Week 16 @ Seattle Seahawks: Loss. Darnold bounces back and finally beats the Rams and their defensive line.

Week 17 @ Atlanta Falcons: Win. McVay bests Raheem Morris and L.A. helps itself by pushing their acquired draft pick from the Falcons up the draft board.

Week 18 vs. Arizona Cardinals: Loss. The Rams have a playoff spot secured and Murray wins his final game with the Cardinals.

We know the upcoming season will be fluid, and what looks like a great team in Week 1, can be a last place team in Week 12, at the same time, I do expect L.A. to have a winning season, and I expect them to be a top team in the NFC and NFL. But I am not sure they will be able to beat the Eagles or the Bucs when it matters most, and I am not sure this team is going to find itself in the Super Bowl.

L.A. should be good this year, and they should have a chance to do something special. How special? Tune in starting Sunday to find out.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-schedule/125595/rams-2025-win-loss-record-prediction

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

5 half-baked Rams takes heading into the 2025 season

The Los Angeles Rams will begin their 2025 season on Sunday at SoFi Stadium when they take on the Houston Texans. We’ve gotten through the media cycle of rankings and anonymous quotes from NFL executives. As one final exercise before the season, I’m dipping my toe into a few ‘half-baked takes’. Essentially, these are takes that I believe in, but I’m not quite ready to stand on the table and pound my chest defending them. These are all things that I believe are within the realm of possibility, but there are still some things holding me back from jumping off the diving board from the deep end.

1. Jared Verse will be in the Defensive Player of the Year Conversation​

There may not be a Rams player that I am more excited to watch this season outside of second year edge rusher Jared Verse. Verse only had 4.5 sacks as a rookie, but that doesn’t reflect his full impact on the field. As a rookie, Verse finished fourth in the NFL in pressures and ranked third in Brandon Thorn’s True Pressure Rate. He also had the third-most high-quality pressures.

Verse may not win the Defensive Player of the Year and that shouldn’t be the expectation. However, I fully expect him to be in the top five players in the conversation for the award. Verse is someone that the Rams defense is making the focal point and 14.5 sacks is possible. That should put him in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation along with Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, and Aidan Hutchinson.

2. Rams defense will finish closer to top-10 than bottom-10 in EPA​

The narrative on the Rams defense all offseason has been that it’s not very good. There are certainly concerns to be had about the secondary. This is a defense that is threading the needle and hoping that a very good pass rush can lift up the back end of the defense. The linebackers also have questions as Omar Speights heads into year two and Nate Landman joins the group.

When it comes to the Rams defense, the concerns are valid. With that said, this is a defense that seemed to never be able to get past the narrative of what it was early in the season. In Weeks 1-5, this was a defense that ranked 32nd in defense EPA per play. However, from Weeks 7-17, they were 10th. After Week 12, they allowed more than 20 points in just two games that the starters played. They took over the wild card game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Rams may not be a top-10 defense, but they will finish closer to 10th than 23rd.

3. Davante Adams will lead WRs in touchdowns​

Ever since Cooper Kupp’s triple crown season and the beginning of 2022, the Rams have been missing a wide receiver that can consistently make plays in the red zone. That’s exactly what they have in Davante Adams. His body control and ability to go up and high point the football is among the best in the league. The expectation here is that McVay utilizes the back corner fade consistently and Adams is a benefactor of that.

Adams hasn’t surpassed 10 touchdowns since 2022, but he should see more opportunities in the Rams offense. It is within the realm of possibility that he ends up at 13 or 14 touchdowns which could be enough to lead all wide receivers. Adams ranked sixth in the NFL with 15 red zone targets in 2024. In a Rams offense with Stafford, he should be more efficient in the red zone.

4. Emmanuel Forbes is the CB2 by end of the year​

There may not be a player that the Rams coaching staff talked more positively about all offseason than Emmanuel Forbes. The Rams claimed Forbes off of waivers late in the year in 2024 and are hoping the former first-round pick can return to form. Based on reports in training camp, Forbes has regained some of his confidence. At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Forbes overtake Darious Williams on the depth chart.

Williams may start the season as the cornerback opposite Ahkello Witherspoon. However, this could be a Tre White situation in which by the time the bye week comes around, Forbes takes Williams’ spot. Williams has just one interception in his last two seasons combined with the Rams. His four pass breakups last year was his worst since 2019. The opportunity is there for Forbes.

5. This Rams team can win it all​

This Rams team has a lot of question marks when it comes to their depth and that’s especially the case on the offensive line. The front office is attempting to thread a needle in several different facets and hoping it pays off. However, this also may be the best team that the Rams have had since their Super Bowl season in 2021. If this team can stay healthy, they have the ability to win 13 games. This is a roster that can be a top contender in the NFC and win the whole thing.

With that said, those concerns are slightly holding me back. The ceiling might be the Super Bowl, but the questions in the secondary, Stafford being another year older, and the depth questions at certain positions leave some hesitancy. It’s why crashing out in the divisional round again might be more likely than the Super Bowl. Those depth questions make another 2022 season feel almost as likely as a deep playoff run.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-roster/125655/rams-hot-takes-2025-season

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Is C.J. Stroud going to become ‘that guy’ in the AFC?

The Rams take on the Houston Texans in their season opener on Sunday, meaning that C.J. Stroud is the first opposing quarterback of the year that L.A.’s fans get to debate “Is this going to be a problem or not?”

That’s a very complicated question to answer about Stroud given the yo-yo start to his NFL career with the Texans.

Do you think that Stroud will be an elite quarterback on the same level of Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes (and others) in the AFC or was his rookie season a mirage? Tell us what you think in the comments section below!

As the second overall pick in the 2023 draft, Stroud entered the league with even higher expectations than nearly every other quarterback in the AFC when they were drafted, respectively, including 32nd overall pick Lamar Jackson. Stroud threw over 40 touchdowns and six interceptions per season at Ohio State from 2021-2022, saving his best for last in the Buckeyes’ CFB semifinal loss to Georgia.

Stroud posted 348 yards and 4 touchdowns against the top defense in the nation, but more importantly silenced critics who said he’s too reliant on in-structure passing and can’t improvise positive plays on the move.

CJ Stroud vs Georgia

23/34
348 Passing Yards
4 Passing TDs
0 Turnovers
34 Rushing Yards
94.1 QBR
(#2 Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft)

How would you grade this performance A-D? pic.twitter.com/R1BY2hx5X1

— College Football Report (@CFBRep) July 26, 2023

That one game against Georgia sealed Stroud’s fate as a top-2 pick because without it he really might have slid. Maybe not outside of the top-10, but Stroud answered his biggest question that night and the Texans ran to the podium to take him over Anthony Richardson.

Cut to his rookie season, Stroud wins Offensive Rookie of the Year after posting 23 touchdowns and 5 INTs for a Texans team that had a bottom-3 offense the season before his arrival. Houston went to the playoffs and Stroud went to the Pro Bowl.

But 12 months after entering the 2024 season with sky-high expectations, Stroud’s back to square one when it comes to people questioning his ceiling as a passer:

Every single stat got worse from his rookie season — comp%, TD, INT, Y/A, passing rating, QBR, sacks, you name it.

The Texans responded by firing offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik (a popular HC candidate a year earlier) and replaced him with former Rams assistant Nick Caley. Reacting to a slew of receiver injuries, Houston drafted college teammates Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel on day 2 and traded for Christian Kirk. In addition to rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery, running back Nick Chubb, and three new starting offensive linemen signed in free agency (Laken Tomlinson, Jake Andrews, Ed Ingram), the Texans believe that Stroud now has the supporting cast he needed to succeed last year that he didn’t have.

Is that really going to work? Was Stroud really not part of the problem? Or are the Texans merely overreacting (new OC, 7 new starters) to a bad season (they still went 10-7) because C.J. Stroud simply turned out to be the exact QB prospect that many people felt he was before the Georgia game?

C.J. Stroud is excited to go back to his home state of California and will have family and friends in the stands against the L.A. Rams this Sunday. He mentioned how dominant the #Rams defensive line can be and what they need to be ready for. #HTownMade #Houston #NFL @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/E0RrTL3HAp

— KPRC Nick Mantas (@KPRCNick) September 3, 2025

The AFC has no shortage of good quarterbacks, including also Justin Herbert, Drake Maye, Bo Nix, Geno Smith, Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa, Aaron Rodgers, plus top pick Cam Ward in addition to the ones I mentioned earlier. Where will C.J. Stroud rank in that group in 3 years? Is he good enough to challenge the best of the best or is he doomed to a career like TLaw where maybe we’re always questioning if he’s the problem or it’s somebody else’s fault.

Jump in the comments to share your opinions on CJ Stroud!

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...5709/rams-texans-cj-stroud-elite-quarterbacks

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Who is the better play-caller: Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay

When it comes to the top offensive play-callers in the NFL, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan get consistently mentioned. With the NFL season right around the corner, the final preseason rankings and anonymous quotes from executives are getting published. Earlier this week, two polls ranking offensive play-callers got released.

In a recent poll by The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, 31 NFL coaches were polled on the top offensive play-caller. With 25 votes, McVay was at the top with Shanahan behind him at 18. However, The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen polled six defensive coordinators and defensive coaches around the league. In Nguyen’s poll, it was Shanahan who came out on top with McVay in second.

Said one defensive coach on McVay,

“I think he can just see it live the best. He has a full Rolodex of plays. He can get to anything on his call sheet, but he can also get to anything in his head. If he needs to adjust in-game, he can completely come up with a new game plan on the spot. So it’s almost to the point now where he’s seen a lot. He has such a good memory of everything, with 12 years of experience calling plays and reacting to stuff. If you’re playing this (defense), he’s going to go to this … and he can do it in a second. That’s weird that he can just adjust so easily.”

At the end of the day, the rankings themselves don’t necessarily matter. Most rankings this time of year are simply offseason content to get to the regular season. Still, it is eye-opening to see what other coaches that are often on the other sideline have to say.

For example, one of the biggest critiques of McVay is that he doesn’t adjust. However, based on the quote from a defensive coach, that may not be fully accurate from the perspective of the other sideline. It’s important to remember that teams install a specific game plan every week. The entire playbook is rarely available as teams don’t practice the entire playbook. Still, McVay has the ability to adjust in-game and get to specific personnel groupings to take advantage of certain matchups and create different looks.

Teams aren’t going to an entirely new game plan in-game. It’s possible that an offense can go back to something that was previously installed, but teams aren’t completely shifting the game plan from the sideline. That’s why teams prepare during the week.

The interesting part with these two rankings specifically isn’t that Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan ended up at the top. Most would consider McVay and Shanahan the top two offensive coaches in the NFL. What is interesting is that in two different polls by the same outlet, McVay topped one list while Shanahan topped the other. Said one defensive coordinator on Shanahan,

“They challenge all your rules. They’re obviously 21 personnel, but whatever you try to do, they always have an answer for it because they can align in anything out of that personnel…He understands your rules and he tries to manipulate your rules.”

Whatever order McVay and Shanahan are in, there’s no denying their impact around the NFL. On Nguyen’s list of 10 offensive play-callers, two of them are McVay and Shanahan and three more of them are from that tree. Those other three are Kevin O’Connell, Matt LaFleur, and Liam Coen.

Choosing between Shanahan and McVay is splitting hairs. Most in the media would probably have Shanahan ahead of McVay, but it’s very close. At the end of the day, they are undoubtedly two of the best at what they do. They are the two that the league most respects when it comes to calling a game. Neither are perfect and each have their own strengths and weaknesses. That’s also what makes their rivalry that much better.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-news/125735/nfl-playcaller-rankings-rams-sean-mcvay

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams-Texans final score prediction

The Los Angeles Rams host the Houston Texans on Sunday at 4:25 ET in Week 1 of the NFL season, and likely because the Rams are at home, they appear favored by three points, and I too am going to pick L.A. to come out on top, but it shouldn’t be easy.

Food for thought, if Matthew Stafford weren’t playing, would the Rams still be favored?

This game will have big implications for the Rams if Stafford comes out of the gate lackluster, or sustains any type of injury, on the flip side, even in a loss, if Stafford comes out sharp while staying off the ground, then the team and fanbase can build on that.

With 17 total games, L.A. can lose one (or a few), but with only 17 games total, each game matters more than any other plain old regular season contest in sports. Week 1 for the Rams can be a spring board or a pitfall, and the Texans are a great challenge for them to start their 2025 campaign.

For Houston, they’ve looked the part of a top team in the AFC the last two years, but will they take a step forward? Will they become one of the best teams in the NFL and the top team in the AFC? With CJ Stroud, this team can do a lot, but Stroud is human, he’ll need his offensive line to greatly improve upon last year’s performance, and he’ll need his defense to help him out when the offense falters.

The Texans should be good, but how good? Fair question.

Winning factor:​

Rams defensive line over Texans offensive line.

Final score prediction:​

Rams win 24-20 in a tight game that Houston can snatch away, but L.A. does just enough to start their season 1-0.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a...125698/rams-texans-final-score-prediction-nfl