Rams’ entire 2025 season flips the second these three stars suit up together

The Los Angeles Rams are entering Week 1 with plenty of questions and uncertainties. Perhaps the biggest concern hangs over quarterback Matthew Stafford. To be fair, he’s just one of several players whose durability is under the microscope heading into the season. The difference this year is that the challenges of injured starters haven’t hit quite as harshly as in years past.

That wasn’t the case in 2023, when the Rams opened without WR Cooper Kupp. It wasn’t the case in 2024 either, when the team traveled to Detroit without both starting offensive tackles. Those slow starts were the direct result of key injuries.

So what happens if this team actually starts healthy? From a simple projection, a roster that nearly knocked off the NFC North champs last year without two starting offensive tackles and a starting cornerback should be able to compete with anybody. But let’s put the analytics on hold and focus on something that has been overlooked: how well can this team play when WR Puka Nacua, LT Alaric Jackson, and RB Kyren Williams are all on the field together?

Rams fans can expect great things when these 3 stars align

It may be that the defense drives success in 2025, but the offense still has to score. And three names can flip the script immediately.

WR Puka Nacua

It’s no secret that Puka Nacua was banged up in 2024. Of the 12 regular-season games and two playoff games he played, the Rams went 9-4. That’s a phenomenal record compared to 2-4 without him. If you also count the loss in which Nacua didn’t finish, the team’s record with him becomes 9-3.

Nacua is an elite receiver whose presence on the field is vital to the offense’s effectiveness. He embodies versatility, with traits that let him function as a receiver, tight end, or even running back. Behind his easy smile is the heart of a lion, a true competitor who won’t stop until he crosses the goal line.

LT Alaric Jackson

It’s no coincidence that the Rams lost all three games in 2024 when Alaric Jackson didn’t start. He’s a reliable shield for QB Matthew Stafford, giving the veteran quarterback the confidence to take deep shots without worrying about blindside pressure.

With Jackson on the field, the Rams went 10-4 — plenty of motivation to get him healthy and ready for Week 1. From the latest reports, that outcome looks more and more likely.

With a starting offensive line of Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, and Rob Havenstein, the Rams have a strong unit that can protect Stafford and create lanes for a rushing attack that needs to step up this year.

RB Kyren Williams

Citing Kyren Williams as a key contributor might feel odd since he suited up for every game in 2024 except the finale. But in 2023, he missed five games, and the Rams went 8-4 with him versus 2-3 without him. In 2024, he powered through a heavy workload, raising some durability concerns for 2025.

Williams logged 888 offensive snaps last season. That type of workload often leads to diminishing returns the following year, as seen with Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott and Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey. The Rams now have to balance keeping Williams heavily involved while preserving him for the stretch run.

The 25-year-old is vital for two big reasons. First, he’s a touchdown machine, scoring 31 times over the past two seasons. Second, his versatility makes him a weapon in almost any situation. He’s worked on explosiveness, improved his ball security, and earned an extension he’s determined to validate.

Three offensive stars are aligning to play in Week 1. The implications are obvious: when Nacua, Jackson, and Williams are all out there, the Rams’ chances of winning increase dramatically. Fans want a hot start in 2025, and so do the players and coaches. Right now, it looks like the stars may actually be in alignment. As always, thanks for reading.

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