Los Angeles Rams: 3 storylines for Week 1 against the Raiders

After a long offseason filled with expectations, the Los Angeles Rams will open their 2018 regular season against the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football.

The Los Angeles Rams finally get the 2018 NFL regular season underway when they play the Oakland Raiders in the second half of the ESPN Monday Night doubleheader. Both teams made a ton of news last week when the Rams and defensive tackle Aaron Donald got together on a new deal, and Oakland traded away perhaps their best player in linebacker Khalil Mack.

Bottom line, one team got better, while another may have gotten worse.

For the Rams, getting a deal done with Donald was the most critical piece of business they had to accomplish. The same can be said for Oakland.

Donald now solidifies what may end up being the best defense not just in the NFC West, but in the league. Something many observers have been saying since the offseason.

It’ll also be the first look at a Rams offense kept under wraps all preseason. Without question, everyone will be anxious to see if running back Todd Gurley can duplicate a monster 2017, and whether Jared Goff can continue to improve enough to lead this Los Angeles team beyond a first round playoff flame out.

Big stuff.

The 2018 NFL season promises a lot, especially for LA. they are quite possibly, the most complete and balanced team in the league, and it all gets real next Monday Night in Oakland.