Does the LA Rams offensive line ranking outside the Top 10 upset you? It should

I know that NFL projections and rankings are more debate than great, but a recent NFL Top 10 offensive line by The Score completely snubbed the LA Rams. If that doesn’t upset you, it should. And here’s why:

We define the world around us with simple but almost impenetrable perceptions. In Psychological terminology, it’s known as the framing effect and is also known as cognitive bias. The term is used to identify and describe a phenomenon of cognitive bias. But if all that is too much science-techno babble for you, I can give you another way of looking at it.

Self-fulfilling prophecy.

So far, all I’ve done is describe to you some psychology terms. What’s the harm in preseason rankings of the LA Rams offensive line coming in as the 14th-ranked offensive line for the 2022 NFL season? Well, if you follow that self-fulfilling prophecy term, you know that because someone claims that the LA Rams offensive line is middle of the road for the upcoming season, that is how they will view this offensive line.

I don’t see it that way

Any sacks surrendered will take on a larger signficance that the norm. Any great blocks at the line of scrimmage or downfield will be undervalued in the Rams assessment. And that will remain the measuring stick for the LA Rams men upfront throughout the season.

With the exception of the 2019 NFL season, when the LA Rams ended as the 29th ranked offensive line, the Rams have consistantly enjoyed solid offensive line performance. While there are certainly reasons for greater uncertainty this year, particularly with the Rams filling two vacancies among the starting five players simultaneously, this is a solid group that has practiced together for over two seasons.

Left tackle Joseph Noteboom has been with the team since being drafted in 2018. Coleman Shelton has been with the team since being signed off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in 2019. Not only are both projected starters quite familiar with the LA Rams, but the entire coaching staff is quite familiar with their work as well.

While there could be an slight regression this season on the offensive line, I don’t think I foresee the team dropping from the seventh-ranked offensive line in 2021 to the 14th-ranked offensive line in 2022. While the team may lose something at left tackle in transitioning from Andrew Whitworth to Joe Noteboom, I look for the team to improve on the right side by lining up Coleman Shelton next to Rob Havenstein.

It the offensive line can remain health, Brian Allen and Rob Havenstein have the potential to be named to the Pro Bowl this season.

Or, rather, they would if they were not fighting against preseason cognitive bias.