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Betting on the 2020 Rams to Win the NFC Championship

betting-on-the-2020-rams-to-win-the-nfc-championship

Can the Los Angeles Rams overcome their 25/1 NFC Championship odds? Of course. The team owns one of the league’s most prolific passing attacks coupled with what they believe is a resurgent running game.

While their offensive line is suspect, the fact remains that quarterback Jared Goff is quick at his decision-making, which culminated in the line allowing the fewest number of sacks in 2019.

The two major concerns rest with the pass rush and the deep division the team plays in. These concerns may keep the Rams out of the playoffs, without a shot to even contend for an NFC Championship.

Below are the factors described in depth.

1 – Turmoil in the Trenches

The Los Angeles Rams dodged bullets with Jared Goff’s playing style and Sean McVay’s play-calling style. McVay calls plays that often require quick passes, while Goff likes to get rid of the ball early.

However, the line’s weaknesses showed in the running game, which often forced the Rams to go one-dimensional. It resulted in Todd Gurley’s knee issues arising once again, while he averaged a paltry 3.8 yards per carry.

Although some of this blame should also rest with Gurley, who never played up to speed in 2019, the line failed to open up enough holes for their running back. In 2020, Gurley is no longer with the team and two new backs will replace him.

If the Rams want their entire offense to return to prominence and actually win games in 2020 they should have won in 2019, the line must step up. If not, expect more of the same from the Rams and forget about betting on them to win the NFC Championship. Or even to win the NFC West.

How will the line fare? They look pieced together in 2020, to be honest.

Andrew Whitworth contemplated retirement before returning for another season. But at 38, how much more does he have? Former Cleveland Brown Austin Corbett mans the left guard position, whom the Rams acquired in a trade. But he is an average player who is no better (or worse) than center Brian Allen or right guard, Austin Blythe.

Another downer is the fact you won’t have the preseason to see if the line has improved from its dismal performance in 2019.

If they fail again, expect more one-dimensional offense from the Rams which they learned last year won’t take them to the playoffs.

2 – Pass Rush Productivity

The Rams pass rush took a beating this offseason when Clay Matthews Jr. and Dante Fowler walked. Together, they comprised almost 40% of the Rams 50 sacks in 2019.

The upside rests in defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who remains with the team. However, unless another steps up, look for Donald to face consistent double teams. And while he is good enough to handle them, watch his production drop.





The Rams need someone like Samson Ebukam to be the next great pass rusher in Los Angeles. Heading into his fourth season, it is a make or break year for a player who has played in a rotational role his entire career.

He logged 4.5 sacks in 2019, but the Rams need more production as he evolves into a starting role on the defense.

On the other side, third-year outside linebacker Justin Lawler will continue to battle with Terrell Lewis for the starting spot. Lawler hasn’t impressed in his career and Lewis is a rookie, so expect growing pains from the latter.

The Rams defense ranked 13th in 2019 and 12th against the pass. They’re solid numbers, but expect a drop if they can’t generate the same type of pass rush in 2020. If it continues to falter, someone will send the Rams packing early.

3 – Hollywood Air Strikes

As mentioned earlier, the Rams have a clear upside in the passing game. Despite poor play from the offensive line, quarterback Jared Goff knows where to throw the ball and you can see the success in his numbers.

While he had a high interception total with 16, he finished 2019 with a respectable 63.9 completion percentage along with passing for over 4,600 yards. He also possesses an outstanding cast of wide receivers and tight ends.

It starts with Cooper Kupp, who recorded 94 receptions for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2019. He is one of the most sure-handed receivers in football and continues to improve his game as he heads into his prime.

On the opposite side sits Robert Woods, who logged 90 receptions for 1,134 yards. While he only scored 2 touchdowns, Woods has shown his capability of filling the WR2 role in Los Angeles and providing Goff with a second dangerous pass catcher.

Tight ends Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett also impressed, with Higbee amassing 69 receptions for 734 yards and 3 touchdowns while Everett logged 37 for 408 yards. Look for Everett to make an even greater leap in 2020.

If Everett can do this, watch the Rams air attack resemble the Greatest Show on Turf. However, as this article also mentioned, if the team gets too one-dimensional, the productivity may backfire. So, the numbers won’t be as pretty in 2020 if the team’s running game doesn’t improve.

And if that’s the case, forget the playoff appearance and NFC Championship, despite improving odds. If you believe the new backs in town can take the pressure off of Goff and the passing attack, feel free to place a bet here.

4 – How the West Is Lost

If there’s one division in the NFL no team wants to play, it’s the NFC West. Unfortunately for the Rams, they play in the division against three of the NFL’s more talented teams.





Now, if you’re betting on playoff appearances, the NFC West is a logical bet for all four teams to make the seven-team playoff bracket in the NFC in 2020. However, it also means that one too many losses will send at least one team home for the playoffs in January.

Let’s break down the Rams opponents in 2020 and show how they can exploit the team’s weaknesses. Let’s start with the Arizona Cardinals, a team that won just eight games over the past two seasons but appear poised to win often in 2020.

It starts with quarterback Kyler Murray exploiting the Rams meager pass rush. Murray, believe it or not, amassed just 67 total yards through the air and the running game fewer than Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens with 4,266 all-purpose yards.

Given Murray’s ability to scramble and protect his small frame from big hits, he can stretch the play against the Rams.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals have marquee pass rushers in outside linebacker Chandler Jones and defensive end Jordan Phillips, who signed with the team from the Buffalo Bills. The duo recorded 28.5 total sacks in 2019 with their respective teams.

Look for the Cardinals pass rush (which also includes new linebacker Devon Kennard and rookie Isaiah Simmons) to overwhelm the weak offensive line. To counter this, Goff must get rid of the ball fast.

Onto the Seattle Seahawks, where quarterback Russell Wilson elevates the talent of all of his players. Wilson is much like Murray, except his experience level is off the charts. He has yet to experience a losing season in Seattle.

Expect more of the same from the Seahawks that you will find from Murray and the Cardinals, stretching plays and waiting for the receivers to get open downfield. Wilson can also make plays with his legs but at 32, he will look to throw more often than Murray.

Then, you have the San Francisco 49ers, whose defense and pass rush is among the NFL’s best. Like the Cardinals, the Niners will waste no time generating a pass rush to get to Goff before he finds a receiver in the quick game.

The Niners can also take advantage of the Rams weak pass rush with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s quick connection with tight end George Kittle, one of the league’s best.

And you can’t forget about the team’s budding receiving trio in Travis Benjamin, Deebo Samuel, and rookie Brandon Aiyuk.

5 – The Rookie Rush

This one will decide if the Rams make a playoff appearance. And if they do, they will get a shot at winning their second NFC Championship in three seasons.

The incoming rookie running back is Cam Akers, who averaged a solid 5.0 yards per carry as the featured back of a struggling Florida State offense. He possesses decent size, speed, and strength.

He won’t hit a home run, but he will generate new life in the backfield. Or at least project the new back to do so. He will share time with Darrell Henderson Jr., who the Rams broke in slowly in 2019, giving him the ball just 39 times.

The upside with the committee approach will allow the backs to acquire substantial rest time and to protect their body from wearing down from injury. It’s the opposite of what happened with Todd Gurley.

Conclusion

It is unlikely to see the Rams play in the NFC Championship and win it in 2020 unless the running game can help the team’s aerial assault remain unpredictable. It is a big “if,” given the inexperience of Akers and Henderson.

The offensive line also faces major issue. And until the games begin in Week 1, we don’t know what the running game will look like.

The team must also generate a pass rush and someone must step up to replace the departed Fowler and Matthews while keeping pressure off Aaron Donald.

Playing in the NFC West in 2020 is not an easy task for any team, but the Rams have a six-game gauntlet against their rivals and it may keep them out of the playoffs for a second straight season.

Do you feel the Rams are a worthy bet for the NFC Championship given their 25/1 odds?

Michael Stevens

Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …

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