LA Rams Super Bowl season benefited from 2 guardian angels

There are some who are still grateful for the effort of former LA Rams quarterback Jared Goff, while others have taken a more berating and disrespectful approach in forums and comments sections. Goff now enters his second season playing for the Detroit Lions. But to be honest, he is not alone. Former Rams teammate, defensive tackle Michael Brockers, joined Goff last year. Perhaps we should be a bit more grateful for the contributions of both Goff and Brockers.

Here’s why:

Even as the LA Rams advanced to the NFL Playoffs with a 12-5 record and proceeded to win four consecutive postseason games on the way to a Super Bowl LVI victory, the Rams should not overlook the fact that the Detroit Lions’ three lone wins came against three LA Rams opponents, all of whom either became or were on track for a berth in the NFL playoffs.

The Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13 by the score of 29-27. They doubled their wins by defeating the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15 by the score of 30-12. And the Lions closed out the season by defeating the Green Bay Packers by a score of 37-30.

Lions’ wins meant the Rams benefited too

So far, all I’m doing is repeating history, correct? Well, consider this: If the Minnesota Vikings win that game, they host the LA Rams with a three-game winning streak and an 8-6 record. Does that change the final score of 30-23 that the Rams won?

If the Green Bay Packers win that season finale, do they lose their playoff opener against the San Francisco 49ers by a final score of 13-10? Does the act of resting players set the stage for postseason rust?

If the Arizona Cardinals win that game in Detroit, the LA Rams suddenly become the fifth seed, putting the LA Rams on the road for their first playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals. Does that change the outcome of that game?

In those three contests, defensive tackle Michael Brockers recorded nine of his 52 season tackles. But he did so while playing just 104 defensive snaps.

Perhaps the more obvious story was that of QB Jared Goff.  In those three games, Goff threw 67 of 107 passes for 750 yards, eight touchdowns, and just one interception. They were clearly three of his best performances under center for the year. And those stellar showings definitely did not hurt the Rams’ postseason path.

Goff and Brockers may not play for the LA Rams now, but don’t think for a minute that they were unhappy over their former teammates winning it all. And their efforts in 2021 helped to pave the way.