3 reasons why starting backups for Week 18 should excite Rams fans

In revealing the absolutely worst kept secret in 2024, LA Rams Head Coach Sean McVay7 admitted that the team will start veteran backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. While some fans will automatically disregard any less than 100 percent starters competing in Week 18 as a throw-away game, there is a lot to be gleaned about the Rams roster in this scenario.

Much like the way the Rams roster is limited as to who competes in preseason, the team will send out players to compete in Week 18 not from the preservation of starters for the Wild Card Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs, but also to pit developmental and depth players into live football action to determine who adds value to the team in 2025. Conversely, who does not.

Per Spotrac.com, the Rams roster holds 17 players whose contracts expire at the end of this season. So it falls to reason that the team will want to get as much information about these players on record as possible. Not only does that aid the team in determining which players deserve extensions, but for those who do not re-sign, the added game experience and video footage can be the difference between a contract offer from their next NFL teams and no offers at all.

But that is merely the business side of football.

For Rams fans, it's an opportunity to expect the unexpected. And it's a chance to cheer for the players who received so many positive training camp and preseason reports, but who simply failed to crack the starting lineup. So, with that in mind, let's pivot to Week 18 to highlight what fans can expect in Week 18:

(3) - The Rams offense gets a new look with possible future starters

You already know that the Rams will substitute as many offensive starters with backups as humanly possible. While that may not equate to 11 brand new faces on offense, it does open the door of possibilities wide to the likelihood of new strategies and plays. While that may not excite fans, perhaps it should.

In a week episode of the Up & Adams video podcast, host Kay Adams and guest Fox Sports NFL reporter Carmen Vitali discuss the recent Week 17 game between the Detroit Lions and the San Francisco 49ers. Vitali shares the observation that Lions' HC Dan Campbell played his starting against the 49ers, a game with no strategic advantage, out of the perspective to put offensive plays on tape that were designed to add complexity to future opponents.

Check it out for yourself:

That is an amazing observation, and one that is almost certain to add some intriguing angles for Week 18 for the Rams offense. Could it be that that the Rams offense will put plays on tape to add confusion to their future opponents in the 2025 NFL Playoffs? And if plays generate better than expected results in Week 18, can the Rams package those plays for future use?

The LA Rams rested starters in Week 18 last season, and the junior varsity squad defeated the San Francisco 49ers. That nearly propelled the Rams to victory on the road against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs.

Hopefully, the same type of performance by the Rams can add positive momentum for the team in the upcoming playoffs.