Los Angeles Rams: 4 absolute locks in September

The Rams have kept their offense in bubble wrap for the 2018 preseason, so it’s hard to know how that does or does not affect the Sean McVay offense heading into the Monday Night opener in Oakland.

It will, and it won’t only be in that one game.

That said, I wouldn’t count on that being a necessary decider in a win or loss, especially in Oakland. The Monday Night game will be more determined by the swing and miss authored by Raiders head coach Jon Gruden when he traded away his best player, than by the fact that the Rams are just better.

Don’t confuse the two.

Khalil Mack is a game changer, not unlike Donald. The difference is Los Angeles had done enough prior to signing AD to paper over the possible disaster of not having him in their lineup for the season opener.

The Raiders have not.

All that said, look for McVay’s offense to struggle early, especially in the passing game. If there is one downside to keeping the Rams offense on the sidelines during the preseason, it’s the lack of timing established under real game conditions. Fans may scoff at that, but it’ll be noticeable especially early, especially in Oakland.

Goff will be the one most accountable. As explosive as the offense can be, that lack of timing not established this past exhibition season will be crystal clear.