Rams’ Superteam Hype Crumbles After Cardinals Loss, NFC West Slide

WHO:

CBS Sports - The Rams’ roster included quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, defensive end Myles Garrett, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Sportskeeda - Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams were the focus of preseason “superteam” hype.

Sportskeeda - Chris Canty criticized the Rams for trailing in the NFC West.

Newsweek - Chris Canty said the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes were over.

Newsweek - The Arizona Cardinals were the Rams’ opponent in the loss.

WHAT:

CBS Sports - The Rams lost 18-16 to the Cardinals as 13.5-point favorites; CBS Sports called it the NFL’s largest upset loss in about three years.

CBS Sports - Stafford ranked 14th in completions gaining 20 or more yards (13%), compared with third (19%) the previous season. He completed 8 of 20 passes targeting Nacua at least 10 yards downfield, with zero touchdowns and two interceptions.

CBS Sports - The Rams averaged 401.3 yards per game, ranking among the NFL’s top three, but scored 22.5 points per game, ranking 20th.

CBS Sports - Los Angeles had the NFL’s worst special-teams EPA at -35.8, a 60% field-goal rate, and a 28.0-yard average starting field position.

CBS Sports - Adams was listed out 6–10 weeks with a hamstring injury; Poona Ford was out for the season with a triceps injury, and Kobie Turner was out 4–6 weeks with a groin injury.

CBS Sports - SportsLine projections put the Rams’ playoff chances at 26.0%, down from 90.1%, and their Super Bowl chances at 1.5%, down from 16.3%.

Sportskeeda - The Rams had substantial hype before the season began.

Sportskeeda - Canty said, “It’s a wrap,” as he commented on the Rams trailing in the NFC West after the “superteam” hype.

Newsweek - The Rams lost to the Cardinals, leaving Los Angeles with a 2-4 record.

Newsweek - The article characterized the Cardinals loss as embarrassing and reported Canty’s view that the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes were over.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The Rams were trailing in the NFC West.

Newsweek - The loss involved the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals.

WHY:

Newsweek - Canty said the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes were over following their loss to the Cardinals.

HOW:

CBS Sports - DraftKings listed the Rams at +1200 Super Bowl odds, tied with the Seattle Seahawks for the fifth-shortest odds.

Newsweek - The Rams’ record stood at 2-4 after the Cardinals loss.

The Los Angeles Rams fell to the Arizona Cardinals, 18 to 16, despite entering as 13.5-point favorites. The loss left Los Angeles with a 2-and-4 record and trailing in the NFC West, after preseason talk cast Sean McVay’s team as a potential superteam. Commentator Chris Canty said, “It’s a wrap,” and declared the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes over. The team has averaged 401.3 yards per game, among the league’s top three, but scored only 22.5 points per game, ranking 20th. Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s deep-pass production has dropped, and he threw two interceptions with no touchdowns on passes targeting Puka Nacua at least 10 yards downfield. Injuries have sidelined Davante Adams, Poona Ford and Kobie Turner. The Rams’ playoff odds have fallen to 26 percent, while their Super Bowl chances are 1.5 percent.