NFC West: Previewing 49ers division rivals ahead of 2017 season
By Peter Panacy
Los Angeles Rams
2016 Record: 4-12, Third Place in NFC West
If the 49ers played the Los Angeles Rams each week of 2016, the Niners would have had a perfect 16-0 record.
Los Angeles has the unfortunate distinction of being the only team San Francisco could beat last year, and this happened for a number of key reasons.
One could argue the chief reason was former head coach Jeff Fisher. He’s gone now, replaced by former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay. How the rookie head coach handles his new gig, especially considering the lack of offensive talent, will be an interesting point of note in 2017.
Indeed, the Rams offense was paltry last season — even worse than the 49ers. L.A. finished dead last in both points scored (224) and yards gained (4,203).
Running back Todd Gurley was a disappointment, and quarterback Jared Goff never found his rhythm after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2016 draft.
Offseason Moves
One of the bigger moves the Rams made in free agency was to sign former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth. This should shore up L.A.’s offensive line a bit and provide an improvement over incumbent tackle Greg Robinson.
Tight end Lance Kendricks and defensive end Eugene Sims were both released, although the Rams reunited outside linebacker Connor Barwin with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Giving up all those draft picks for Goff last year hurts, but the Rams were able to find weapons for their quarterback in the form of tight end Gerald Everett (No. 44 overall) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (No. 69 overall).
2017 Schedule
| Day | Date | Opp | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regu | Regu | Regu | Regu | Regu | Regu |
| Sun | September 10 | 4:05PM ET | Indianapolis Colts | preview | |
| Sun | September 17 | 4:25PM ET | Washington Redskins | preview | |
| Thu | September 21 | 8:25PM ET | @ | San Francisco 49ers | preview |
| Sun | October 1 | 1:00PM ET | @ | Dallas Cowboys | preview |
| Sun | October 8 | 4:05PM ET | Seattle Seahawks | preview | |
| Sun | October 15 | 4:05PM ET | @ | Jacksonville Jaguars | preview |
| Sun | October 22 | 1:00PM ET | Arizona Cardinals | preview | |
| Bye Week | |||||
| Sun | November 5 | 1:00PM ET | @ | New York Giants | preview |
| Sun | November 12 | 4:05PM ET | Houston Texans | preview | |
| Sun | November 19 | 1:00PM ET | @ | Minnesota Vikings | preview |
| Sun | November 26 | 4:05PM ET | New Orleans Saints | preview | |
| Sun | December 3 | 4:25PM ET | @ | Arizona Cardinals | preview |
| Sun | December 10 | 4:25PM ET | Philadelphia Eagles | preview | |
| Sun | December 17 | 4:05PM ET | @ | Seattle Seahawks | preview |
| Sun | December 24 | 1:00PM ET | @ | Tennessee Titans | preview |
| Sun | December 31 | 4:25PM ET | San Francisco 49ers | preview |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/15/2017.
The Rams have a few tough stretches on their 2017 calendar, including back-to-back road games against the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys in Weeks 3 and 4, respectively. This is followed by a home contest against Seattle, which isn’t easy either.
In total, Rams opponents posted a .482 winning percentage in 2016, making their schedule the toughest in the NFC West.
2017 Prognosis
McVay could be the key in getting L.A.’s offense back on track. But it’s going to take some time and the growth/development of two key players — Goff and Gurley.
Gurley’s chances may be running thin, so this season may wind up being a prove-it year. Goff, on the other hand, probably has a bit more time. But with the added weapons on offense, his excuses will be fewer as well.
Despite a good defense, the Rams could still be the lone team San Francisco usurps in the standings when 16 games are in the books in 2017.