ESPN experts predict LA Rams will compete in Super Bowl LVI

Tell me if you’ve heard this one? The folks over at ESPN assembled an NFL brain trust consisting of these NFL experts for a discussion panel: Matt Bowan, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Kevin Seifert, and Seth Walder. Their plan? To review and comment about the just released 2021 NFL schedule. If you like a good discussion about the NFL as a whole, you are in luck. If you like to hear positive news about the LA Rams, you are really in for a good treat.

But lest I stray, the real fun begins when the “What’s your early Super Bowl pick?’ question is posed to the panel. How did they respond?
Matt Gowan chimed in.

"“Chiefs over Rams. Stafford elevates a pass game in L.A. that will be more vertical and more explosive. And we know the Rams’ defense can play. But I still like the Chiefs to win it. Patrick Mahomes is the difference-maker here, with the playmaking ability to take over games.” – per Matt Bowan"

Dan Graziano chirped up.

"“Bills over Rams. I have no idea who to pick in the NFC, but I don’t want to pick the Bucs because I don’t believe in repeats in this league. The Rams look good, and we’ll go with them — until the next time I’m asked for a pick. But the headline here is the first Super Bowl title in Bills history and a statue for Sean McDermott in Buffalo. – per Dan Graziano"

Seth Walder piped in.

"“Browns over Rams. Cleveland’s roster is just overflowing with talent. From Myles Garrett to Odell Beckham Jr. to Denzel Ward to a strong offensive line, the Browns are just stacked to the point where they should be able to win — even without an elite-tier QB. The Rams have incredible upside with stars on defense and potential improvement on offense with Stafford now under center.” – per Seth Walder"

But aren’t they all picking the Rams to lose? Well, that’s actually a positive. Of the panel, the distribution for teams appearing in Super Bowl LVI is as follows:

Panel Expert               NFC Team                AFC Team                  SB Winner
Matt Bowan                LA Rams                   KC Chiefs                   Chiefs
Mike Clay                     TB Buccaneers        Cle Browns                Bucs
Jeremy Fowler            GB Packers              Buf Bills                      Packers
Dan Graziano              LA Rams                   Buf Bills                      Bills
Kevin Seifert               TB Buccaneers        KC Chiefs                    Chiefs
Seth Walder                LA Rams                   Cle Browns                Browns

The LA Rams are projected to appear more than any other NFL team, showing up three times. Of course, after reviewing the 2020 projections, I see that only panel member Kevin Seifert correctly predicted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would face the Kansas City Chiefs, although he guessed the wrong outcome of the game.  Most panel experts correctly expected the Chiefs to return to the Super Bowl.

Now, what will it in terms of regular-season wins to get there? The Buccaneers parlayed an 11-5 record into a Super Bowl victory but were aided by a remarkably easy schedule to close out the season. We’ve seen the LA Rams schedule, and they are not nearly as fortunate.  The Rams might squeak in with an 11-6 record, but to be honest, I believe that the Rams will need to win no less than 12 games to truly be a competitive playoff team. And would feel much better about the Rams chances if they are 12-3 or better before 2021 ends.

A year ago, pundits, analysts, and experts were happy to pin the LA Rams below.500, with some predicting the Rams finishing the NFC West in the basement and with a 6-10 record. Thankfully they were way off the mark then. Let’s hope that they are a bit more on track this year. At least to the point of a Super Bowl appearance.