At 1-3, the Los Angeles Rams are in a deep hole of their own making

If Week 3 was a 'must win' game for the Los Angeles Rams, then Week 4 was not far behind. The outcome of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field would not only tell fans a great deal about their team, but the outcome would dictate whether the Rams has reason for optimism over competing in the NFL Playoffs at season's end, or the team would be in dire straights in any postseason scenario.

This team had reason for optimism. Not only had the team clawed its way to a 1-2 record, but the manner in which the team won showed that this was not a group of players that rolled over and played dead. At least, not yet.

The Rams (1-2) were facing the Bears (1-2) in a windy game at Soldier Field. It was a competent offense vs. a competent defense. But what the game became was, well, something else. It was the Rams' young defense that could not shut down the Bears young offense. But it was the Rams veteran offense that turned the football over twice in a game that had no margin for error.

What lies ahead for the 1-3 Rams now?

Since 1970, only 42 NFL teams have begun their season at 1-3 and managed to compete in the NFL Playoffs that year. While that does not mean anything to anyone, it does allow for some mathematical wizardry. That means 32 teams out of the past 53 years, or 1696 teams had a chance to make the NFL playoffs since 1970.

So if only 42 teams made the playoffs over that time, that is less than a 2.5 percent chance that these Rams are going to compete in the playoffs this year. Still a chance? Sure. But it's a lottery ticket's worth of probability at this point. To put this in perspective, the Rams were twice as likely to come back from a deficit in the closing minutes against the 49ers as they are to compete in the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

And this is all after just four games.

Contributing factors are up for debate. This s no longer a matter of taste or preference. This tem has to find ways to harness talented players who may not be contributing just yet. but who are projected to be integral components of this team in the future.

At a 2.5 percent probability of making the playoffs, it's time to deal with the harsh truth. The fear of young players making mistakes is no longer a valid reason not to play them. The team has fallen to 1-3. Veterans who are playing at a marginal level are no longer helping this team.

Whether on offense or defense, the coaches have to take long discerning looks at who is starting and why. Young players get better with experience. Veterans do not. I believe that the Rams have to be willing to give younger players an opportunity to play now.

This is no longer a playoff bound team. This is simply a team looking to find any win, and some way to do so consistently.