It’s time for the LA Rams 2021 risky moves to pay off

Take a chance, Columbus did.

The LA Rams have never shied away from taking chances, making risky bets in hopes of winning high-stakes wagers. The Rams make things happen. Now, it’s time to settle up.

Let’s be honest. The LA Rams traded substantial value for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. The team also traded premium value for running back Sony Michel, but granted, the team was in a tough spot and had to do something. Finally, the team also traded substantial value for veteran outside linebacker Von Miller.  Stafford is under contract through 2022. Michel and Miller are under contract through the end of this year.

Casting the high-risk/high-reward one step further, the LA Rams signed veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in mid-season to a partial-year deal. He too will have the option of testing the free agency waters at the end of the season.

Payoff? Not yet

As a result, the LA Rams finished the year at 12-5 and have won the NFC West for the third time in five seasons.  But the LA Rams did none of those things in 2020 and yet advanced all the way to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs a year ago. For this time, and after taking so many chances, the goal is not to play in the NFL Playoffs but win there.

Can they? Now that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?

It’s clear that in terms of half-time adjustments, these LA Rams are a mess. If the Rams don’t have a lead at half-time? Watch out. And yet, after blowing a 17-3 lead in Week 18 to the San Francisco 49ers, no lead will feel safe enough now. But winning will cure that. Winning cures just about anything.