Rams’ Season So Far: Room for Improvement

It’s clear that Sean McVay and the Rams would probably like a few second chances this season. They’ve faced quite a few challenges, like traveling all the way to Australia without adequate rest, suffering a loss to the Broncos in a game many felt they should have secured, and then on Monday Night Football, they nearly pulled off a comeback victory but let it slip away. Currently, Los Angeles sits at 2-3, third in the NFC West, and looking up at the unbeaten 49ers who are dominating the division at 5-0.

The outlook appears pretty dire for a team everyone expected to be in contention for the Super Bowl, but when you step back and analyze, things don’t appear as bleak for the Rams just yet.

Sure, while that 2-3 record looks rough at first glance, the Rams have been showing signs of significant improvement over the last couple of weeks. Matthew Stafford seems to be settling in better under center after a shaky beginning, and Puka Nacua is back in action post-injury. Plus, there’s hope that Myles Garrett will return by Week 9, which could further uplift the team’s performance.

Even if Garrett’s return gets pushed back a bit, the upcoming weeks look unusually favorable for the Rams:

• vs. Cardinals
• @ Raiders
• vs. Chargers
• @ Commanders
• @ Cardinals

They’ll be facing teams with a collective record of 6-18-1, and the Raiders, who are also going through some changes, seem to be the only team likely to put up a solid fight. There’s a decent chance that the Rams could head into their Week 10 bye with a record of 7-3, putting them right back in the division race, and potentially eyeing a Wild Card spot in the NFC.

Nonetheless, it’s important to acknowledge that the Rams have their share of issues. Stafford’s performance has been inconsistent across five games. His accuracy has dropped, which is surprising considering his Average Depth of Target (ADoT) is shorter. It’s kind of puzzling—he’s struggling with easier throws, and throwing six interceptions in five games is rather concerning, especially when he only had eight in the entire last season. Without Garrett on defense, there’s little room for error, and that gap is being exploited.

The run defense has certainly raised eyebrows. Right now, the Rams are allowing 4.6 yards per carry, ranking 24th in the NFL, while sitting in the middle of the league in terms of plays allowed per drive, largely because teams have found success running against them. Consequently, Los Angeles is giving up an average of 24.0 points per game, which is 20th overall, while managing just 23.8 points on their end.

They aren’t completely out of the running, but there’s a lot that needs addressing. The game on Monday Night Football was telling; the Bills are a solid team, but the Rams came into 2026 with a reputation of being formidable—something even top teams could struggle against. Unfortunately, that’s not how things have turned out. Despite significant trades made to bolster their defensive line and secondary, the team hasn’t managed to fully tap into its potential.

What’s particularly intriguing about the Rams this season is how they’ve shifted from being a team that was consistently considered a contender. Sean McVay has always managed to elevate the roster, navigating deficiencies and still crafting a Super Bowl-caliber squad. This year, though, things feel off. There’s a certain energy that seems to be missing, which is odd because one would think the Rams should feel confident—given the return of Trent McDuffie in the secondary and their other offensive weapons.

One thing is crystal clear: Myles Garrett’s return is crucial for this team. They desperately need some energy on defense. If he can come back around the bye week and help the Rams get back on track—watch out. If not, they might be facing one of the biggest disappointments seen in recent seasons.