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

(1) - This is Year 3 of the third 3-year cycle

How uncanny are the LA Rams over the past nine years? Without a detailed analysis of data, personnel, and financial factors, this team is as predictable and synchronized as the Old Faithful geysers at Yellowstone National Park. What do I mean? The Rams are in the third year of their third three-year cycle. a cycle that propels the team from the ranks of no playoff appearance to a quick appearance in the NFL Playoffs, to a Super Bowl appearance.

The cycle first appeared in 2016, and was cemented as the team hired LA Rams HC Sean McVay in 2017. The uncanny part about this team is that the roster has changed dramatically over the span of nine years. Those changes are not limited to the entire span of time. Right now, the Rams roster only boasts a handful of players who contributed to that Super Bowl LVI victory.

Let's take a look at the Rams record since 2016, and take note of the way the pattern seems to automatically reset and renew after three years:

Cycle I:
2016: 4-12
2017: 11-5, 0-1 NFL Playoffs
2018: 13-3, 2-1 NFL Playoffs, Lost in Super Bowl LIII to NE Patriots 13-3

Cycle II:
2019: 9-7
2020: 10-6 1-1 NFL Playoffs
2021: 12-5, 4-0 NFL Playoffs, Won in Super Bowl LVI over Cincinnati Bengals 23-20

Cycle III:
2022: 5-12
2023: 10-7, (0-1) Playoffs
2024: 10-6, 1 game to play, NFC West Champions

Will the Rams advance to and compete in Super Bowl LIX? While rather early to tell, the Rams will play in the postseason, and will have at least one game in their home field at SoFi Stadium. The team was devastated by early season injuries, and managed to compete well enough to improve to win the NFC West Division. That is quite a feat, as the team opened the season without both starting offensive tackles and starting tight end, without two key defensive backs, and quickly lost their two top receivers.

And yet, here we are. The Rams roster is at its healthiest point of the season. The team has won five consecutive games, and nine of the last eleven games. And thanks to the benefit of clinching the NFC West Division with one game left to go, the Rams have earned the right to sit and rest so many veterans whose heroics have carried the team to the playoffs for the second season in a row.

Are there more intimidating offenses entering the NFL Playoffs? Of course. Are there more intimidating defenses entering the NFL Playoffs? Of course. But I do not believe that there is a more intimidating team entering the NFL Playoffs this year. Just ask the Minnesota Vikings, the Buffalo Bills, or last year's NFC Champions, the San Francisco 49ers.

There is a lot of football left to be played by the LA Rams. There are many reasons for the Rams and Rams fans to have confidence in the team as they prepare for postseason competition.

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