5 reasons the Rams may be an NFC West favorite

Lets be honest, the betting money has typically been on the Seattle Seahawks to win the NFC West. But after this past Sunday, the smart money might be on an upstart Los Angeles Rams team with little to lose, and all kinds to gain.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff was deactivated for Week 1 last year, when LA opened the 2016 season in San Francisco. In that game, they were shutout 28-0. They promptly went on to win three straight games, including a road win in Tampa, as well as NFC West wins against the Seahawks at home, and Arizona on the road.

And then the roof caved in, save for one win more closely resembling a loss to the equally awful New York Jets.

Related Story: Rams sit atop NFC West after Week 1

Will such a misfortune befell this Rams team in 2017?

Is the Los Angeles squad we saw steamroll the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday the real deal?

Maybe, maybe not?

But it’s hard to ignore that this Rams defense will be even more potent when Wade Phillips has his defensive tackle Aaron Donald back on the field. Goff looks to have had the fog lifted from his rookie season, and Cooper Kupp and Sammy Watkins lead what might be an explosive receivers group.

So why couldn’t the Rams be the team to challenge perennial contender, Seattle Seahawks? Such a challenge won’t come from San Francisco or an aging Arizona Cardinals.

Well, if this past Sunday is any kind of indication, they may already be.