Los Angeles Rams: 4-0 best surprise for the NFL in 2018

The Los Angeles Rams hit the quarter-pole at 4-0 and looking for all the world as the best team in football. The NFL has to love it, as they have a winning presence on the West Coast they have been missing for too long.

The Los Angeles Rams claimed a legitimate stake on Thursday night as the best team in the National Football League. Granted the Kansas City Chiefs may have something to say about that on Sunday, but on the face of it, and after a 38-31 win over the Minnesota Vikings, they have one heck of an argument.

First off, I’m no Rams homer.

I don’t worship at the Alter of Sean McVay, or wear a jersey to the store that says Kupp on the back. I think Jared Goff was the best he’s ever been against the Vikings, but I also think it’s four games in, and a lot can happen.

But I can say that after Thursday night, the Rams are the best and most balanced team (I HAVE said that) I’ve seen in a lot of years.

Truth is, watching Johnny Hekker go 0 for 1 into the end zone on fourth down shows that Los Angeles can score from every spot on the roster; offense, defense, and special teams whenever they pretty much want to. If Hekker completes that pass for a touchdown, the NFL world as fans and “experts” know it would have changed for the balance of this season.

McVay has something really special happening in Los Angeles. It’s the lightning in a bottle every franchise in the league will look to duplicate in the immediate future. GM’s and head coaches will look at the NFL Draft and free agency differently. It’s no longer New England who does it the right way, it’s how the Rams are doing it that will be talked about moving forward.

IF they keep on winning, and therein lies the rub.

A great and undefeated September ushers in an October that offers little quarter.

Would anyone doubt if the Rams are favored by Vegas in road games at the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, or at home against the Green Bay Packers?

Is it inconceivable they hit the halfway point at 8-0? If they can avoid any other significant injuries, a real good argument can be made for just that.

If you’re the National Football League, this is the best story they could have hoped for with the Rams back in Los Angeles. After the disaster that was Jeff Fisher in 2016, McVay and the reinvention this franchise has undergone is just what the league needed. They needed the Rams to be absolutely relevant on the West Coast.

The Los Angeles Rams have moved beyond the feelgood story of 2017, and have graduated to one of total juggernaut in 2018.

Maybe 16-0 isn’t so crazy after all?