What will it take for the LA Rams to win the NFC West in 2021

The LA Rams have risen from the dustpan of the 2020 NFL season projections to the dinner platter of the 2021 NFL season projections in the scope of NFL offseason predictions. Funny how that works, isn’t it?  The Rams came off their injury-riddled 2019 season where they finished no worse than a 9-7 record, and the NFL had them so quickly written off that the Rams were nothing better than a punchline throughout the 2020 offseason.

But the Rams were determined to not suffer another downturn. To that end, the team hired defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, and special teams coordinator John Bonamego. It all paid off in helping the Rams turn things around. The team ended up 10-6 and advanced further than any other NFC West team in the NFL playoffs.

The result? They are now given a much more positive projection from the same NFL analysts that just one year ago predicted doom a gloom. We were skeptical then, so is there any reason to believe the Rams have a better chance of following their script in 2021?

That’s a pretty rosy projection. Now, is it realistic?

NFC West tour

Well, for starters, the landscape of the NFC West is not nearly as formidable. The Seattle Seahawks finished the 2020 season 12-4, but their locker room has been in a bit of turmoil as the team has not agreed with quarterback Russell Wilson to prioritize their offensive line in the offseason.

The Arizona Cardinals have made some interesting moves, but the team remains stuck in the vortex of trying to turn quarterback Kyler Murray into a post-season threat. Even with the addition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the Cardinals finished 13th in points scored, and 12th in points surrendered. They lost significant defensive production when CB Patrick Peterson and OLB Hasson Reddick to play elsewhere. Will J.J. Watt make up that difference? Perhaps, but Kenyan Drake left as well, and he was highly productive for the Cardinals on offense.

Of course, everyone is already applauding the San Francisco 49ers, who prioritized their quarterback of the future over the present needs to compete, but still added 16 free agents in the offseason. If the 49ers pull it off, they’ll be competitive for years to come. If they slipped, they will have set the team back to the point where they may need to reload to compete in 2024 or beyond.

2021 could be a great year for the Rams

Now, don’t misread me. The NFC West has four teams that are each capable of earning a berth in the  NFL playoffs. It’s just that against the 2020 rosters, the Rams division rivals are facing as many uncertainties as the Rams are.  And the Seahawks are likely facing the retirement of head coach Pete Carroll sometime in the near future.

The Rams left a few victories on the field in 2020. Just by cleaning up unwise turnovers alone, the Rams could very likely have put up 13 wins in the 2020 NFL season. With a stronger season from Cam Akers rushing the ball, and from the passing game overall, the Rams offense could make a noticeable rebound from the recent scoring downturn.

If the Rams remember how to score once more (they should) the team can compensate for a slight decline on defense. 12 wins in the 2021 NFL season, and four divisional wins, could likely be enough for an NFC West title for the LA Rams once more. It will be critical for the Rams to halt the 49ers’ mastery over them, and perhaps even sweep the Seahawks in 2021. That is what it will take. If the Rams can do that, they will be in good shape for the post-season. How do they do that? That’s for another conversation.