With Matthew Stafford capturing the MVP award for the season and securing a new contract extension, the Rams find themselves in a strong position at quarterback. This gives them a notable advantage against most teams they will encounter this year.
This is particularly significant considering the impressive lineup of quarterbacks they will face this season, which is quite remarkable.
Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks the Rams will go up against this year and see how these matchups stack up.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, Week 13
Mahomes is returning from a serious knee injury sustained late in the last season. There’s hope that he’ll be ready to kick off the year, although the Chiefs are likely to proceed with caution regarding their star QB.
Provided he’s healthy, it’ll probably be quick for Mahomes to regain his status—not just as the opponent on the Rams’ schedule but also as arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. By the 13th week, he should be in good form.
edge: push
2. Josh Allen, Bills, Week 5
Allen had a quieter season by his standards, racking up a career-high four turnovers in a playoff defeat to the Broncos that ended disappointing for him.
Yet, he’s still an elite talent, and the arrival of offensive mastermind Joe Brady after Buffalo parted ways with coach Sean McDermott should be a game-changer for Allen.
edge: Rams
3. Justin Herbert, Chargers, Week 8
It’s hard to find a player who achieved less last season than Herbert, who somehow led a struggling offense to the playoffs despite significant challenges.
With some offensive linemen returning and Mike McDaniel managing things, expectations are high for Herbert this season.
edge: Rams
4. Brock Purdy, 49ers, Weeks 1 and 14
Purdy faces skepticism from some who want to overlook his success as “Mr. Irrelevant” from the 2022 draft, but he’s repeatedly performed exceptionally well when fit.
Sure, he benefits from Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but not every quarterback in it has had the same level of success as Purdy. Some names, like Nick Mullens and CJ Beathard, come to mind.
Right, the partnership with Shanahan is ideal, but Purdy’s play deserves recognition.
edge: Rams
5. Dak Prescott, Cowboys, Week 15
When Prescott is in good health, his main struggle is the inability to control the defensive side of the field. Last year, the Cowboys suffered because their defense let them down, despite Prescott playing impressively.
He had a strong year overall, finishing with 30 touchdowns and a QBR of 70.2, making him one of the top performers in the league.
The Cowboys could be a team to watch if they can solidify their defense.
edge: Rams
6. Sam Darnold, Seahawks, Weeks 16 and 18
Darnold had a tough season, wrapping up ranked 19th in QBR with 14 interceptions. However, he’s bounced back for two consecutive seasons and even led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl title.
With a new offensive coordinator replacing Clint Kubiak, it’ll be interesting to see how Darnold adapts.
edge: Rams
7. Jayden Daniels, Commanders, Week 9
Daniels entered the league with a bang during his rookie season but battled injuries in his second year.
Notably, he earned Offensive Rookie of the Year accolades, throwing for over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns. Expect to see a strong version of Daniels this upcoming year.
edge: Rams
8. Jordan Love, Packers, Week 12
Love might deserve a higher spot on this list, and by Week 12, that might be warranted.
With the caliber of quarterbacks the Rams will face, it’s a mixed bag of expectations for Love, balancing surprise with our hopes for improvement.
edge: Rams
9. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers, Week 17
Mayfield tallied nearly 3,700 yards and 26 touchdowns last year. He showcased great potential early on, although he faltered later due to injury issues. Still, he had a strong season despite the Buccaneers struggling overall.
Mayfield is what he is at this point, but when he’s on, he makes a significant impact.
edge: Rams
10. Bo Nix, Broncos, Week 3
Nix might sit higher on this list based on his fourth-quarter play, but he has been average outside that scenario, benefiting from a stellar roster.
With coach Sean Payton turning over play-calling, there’s hope that Nix will excel, but there’s also a risk that this could show a need for more management in his game.
edge: Rams
11. Jalen Hurts, Eagles, Week 4
The Eagles coaching staff must tweak their game planning to capitalize on Hurts’ dual-threat abilities, which wasn’t done effectively last year, ultimately impacting the offense. This led to tension in the locker room, affecting player dynamics.
If the Eagles want to be competitive again, they’ll need Hurts to find his rhythm.
edge: Rams
12. Jackson Dart, Giants, Week 2
Dart had a decent rookie outing, albeit without a lot of support. His second season will be crucial for demonstrating he’s the Giants’ future.
He needs to shed some reckless tendencies to avoid injury setbacks that held him back last year.
edge: Rams
13. Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza, Raiders, Week 7
Mendoza is viewed as a potential star, but it’s uncertain when he’ll take the helm. If there’s a delay in naming him starter, Cousins would still hold that spot.
Until then, Cousins has plenty to prove, especially if he can return to form.
edge: Rams
14. Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals, Weeks 6 and 10
The Cardinals are in a waiting pattern, but by these matchups, rookie Carson Beck might be stepping in. Regardless, Arizona has some promising options at quarterback.
edge: Rams
