3 reasons why the LA Rams are 1 of the hottest teams heading to the NFL Playoffs

(2) - The Rams are winning in so many ways

If you had to sit down and award Rams victories to one of the three phases of the game, you would almost certain end the process having awarded multiple wins in the 2024 Rams schedule to each of the three phases of the game: Offense, defense, and special teams. The offense is the easiest aspect to pick out, as you need to know nothing about the game itself and simply view the final score and a simple perusal of the Box Score to determine how many and who scored the points to win the game.

But to discern those victories brought about by strong special teams performances versus strong defensive play, you have to get down into the weeds of a game. Rookie kicker Joshua Karty was the show stopper in both of the Rams victories over the San Francisco 49ers. He kicked the game-winning field goal with just two seconds left on the game clock to get the Rams their first win of the season in Week 3. That win was vital for the team, as it prevented a five-game losing streak to open 2024.

In the second game against the 49ers, Karty shrugged off a cold driving rain in an open-are Levi's Stadium to boot four of four field goals to put up 12 points to beat the 49ers once more. Karty's field goals were the only points scored by the Rams in Week 15. Perhaps the amazing part of the way the Rams won in Week 15 was the the polar opposite of the way the offense put up 44 points to win in Week 14.

The ability to manufacture wins in so many ways was the topic covered by the latest episode of The Coach McVay Show:

Coach McVay's demeanor is a tell now. In the past, McVay's emotions were easy to detect in press conferences and on the sidelines. But if you notice in this episode, McVay has the aura of a relaxed and all-facilities-on-deck NFL head coach, even as the team has ridden the emotional roller coaster all season long.

McVay has a venerable perspective in this episode, a wisdom-laden view that is worth listening to the entire 30 minutes. Coach McVay indicates that rookie RB Blake Corum will get a heavy workload (more on that later), young offensive linemen, and a handful of young defenders who will see a spike in his workload.

The LA Rams may veer towards OC Mike LaFleur calling the offensive plays for his former QB Jimmy Garoppolo, and I'm all for it in Week 18. And I would be a bold-faced liar if I did not share my enthusiasm to witness what that offense looks like, even knowing that the team will be heavily dependant on players who have seldom seen action this season.

But let's give proper credit to ST Coordinator Chase Blackburn and DC Chris Shula too. Blackburn really stepped up his game this season, and the most obvious benefactor in 2024 has been punter Ethan Evans this season. Evans has been dynamically vital to the Rams success streak with his ability to get his punts down deep in enemy territory of late.

I could go on and on about the Rams young defense under DC Chris Shula, and that will be a topic this week. Suffice it to say that the Rams have hit the jackpot on defense for two consecutive drafts. Rams rookie DB Jaylen McCollough and Kamren Kinchens have four interceptions apiece. Rams rookie ILB Omar Speights has grown rapidly into a true starting inside linebacker. And rookies OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske have been the golden ore of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Now, let's turn to one of my favorite topics: