Fans stunned to learn Rams may not suit up all starters for Week 18 after all

As soon as the 11-5 Los Angeles Rams fell to the 7-9 Atlanta Falcons in Week 17, head coach Sean McVay vowed that he would be playing his starters in Week 18. While the sentiment makes sense to halt a two-game losing streak, the plot twist defies the recent history of the team resting starters in the season finale.

Well, perhaps not after all. It appears that the team has already ruled out right guard Kevin Dotson and cornerback Josh Wallace from playing. Five other starters are questionable with nagging injuries. It's difficult to imagine that they will suit up for Week 18. But even if they do, they won't play the entire game.

The offense has played well of late, even with nearly half of the starters on the bench. On the other hand, the defense has been struggling, and that side of the football needs to clean up multiple flaws. The worst of the punch list includes a failure to make tackles. That's unacceptable for a team that is slated for the NFL playoffs in one week.

How long will Rams starters compete in Week 18?

The team may not be as committed to playing starters in Week 18 as originally thought. If the team is willing to play three backup offensive linemen against the Arizona Cardinals, how long should the remaining two starters play? And then there is the question of starting veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford behind a patchwork offensive line.

That was the reason he struggled in Week 17.

Still, the offense scored points. So is this truly about getting the offense in sync, or a wake-up call for the offense to show more discipline? Is that point worth risking injury to starters? That's hard to say.

The defense needs to show some physicality and resolve. But taking steps to put starters onto the football field comes with its own set of risks. Playing starters risks injury. And then there is the tradeoff of not getting any playing time to young backups who desperately need to see and experience live NFL action.

It's speculation to assess how long starters compete in the final game. If Los Angeles runs away with it early, swapping out backups for starters will happen quickly. But it's unlikely that LA will run away with the team already sitting some starters, and is likely to add more names to the bench.

Win or lose, this team has to avoid any further injuries. And that is a difficult task when facing a team that is already focused on the 2026 NFL Draft. But it's the final game of the season, and everyone expects the LA Rams to emerge as the victor.

Let's hope that comes to pass without any further injuries.

As always, thanks for reading.