NFL expert stuns fans by naming Rams to upset watch list for Week 4

While the 2-1 Los Angeles Rams remain a perceived contender in the NFC, there are multiple teams that are vying for playoff berths. While early, the NFC West is one of the league's more fiercely competitive divisions. And despite a 2-1 record, if the playoffs happened today, Los Angeles wouldn't be among the teams to compete in the postseason.

The NFC West boasts the undefeated San Francisco 49ers, as well as the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals, who both own 2-1 records. All three teams have won at least one conference game, but L.A. is currently 0-1 in the conference. That means the Rams are already losing to all three division teams in terms of playoff tie-breakers.

But the bad news keeps coming.

After a brutal Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan has placed L.A. on his weekly upset alert, predicting a loss to the 3-0 Indianapolis Colts in Week 4.

Somehow, a 2-1 team losing to a 3-0 team in Week 4 truly doesn't cross the threshold to many NFL fans, but the line has been drawn.

Yet the message is clear: He expects Los Angeles to lose at home.

Can Daniel Jones lead Colts to an upset win over Rams?

Indy has defeated the winless Miami Dolphins, the 1-2 Denver Broncos, and the 0-3 Tennessee Titans. But before fans rush to ridicule their opponents, one of the teams on Indianapolis' schedule is a common opponent, the Titans, and the Colts handled them just as easily.

The Colts boast one of the NFL's most prolific offenses, both in yards gained and in points scored. They average 153.3 rush yards per game, powered by the insanely effective running back, Jonathan Taylor (338 yards, three touchdowns). But don't expect any relief when quarterback Daniel Jones drops back to pass.

Jones has solid chemistry with rookie tight end Tyler Warren (14-of-21, 193 yards, zero TDs), wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (16-of-19, 193 yards, two TDs), and wide receiver Alec Pierce (9-of-13, 171 yards, zero TDs). With so many weapons at his disposal, Jones has skyrocketed to the third-best quarterback in the NFL after three games.

While there is every reason to be confident in the defense, this cannot be one more game with an underperforming offense depending on the defense to do all of the heavy lifting. The Colts enter SoFi Stadium averaging 34.3 points per game. That's 10 points more than the home team is averaging.

Success can only be sustained when all three phases of the game -- offense, defense, and special teams -- contribute. It was the meltdown of all three phases in Week 3 that contributed to a heartbreaking loss.

To avoid an upset loss at home, all three phases must show up in a big way.

As always, thanks for reading.

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