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Unlike the Kansas City Chiefs who was expected to take on one of the toughest schedule strengths heading into last year’s NFL betting season, the Los Angeles Rams faltered in a big way to the point that the team never once sniffed the over of its 10.5-game win total odds. I busted out laughing when I saw the number for the defending champs knowing full well they weren’t close to being the dominators they proved to be the season prior. Betting the under was like taking candy from a baby after Sean McVay’s troops could only manage three wins through eight played games. I already knew that under ticket was cashed right after locking it in – that’s how confident I was! Fast forward to the 2023-24 NFL betting season and Los Angeles is the owner of a 6.5-game win total at BetRivers Sportsbook that’s already been bet down a full game from the 7.5 opener. That right there lets it be known another tough season is in store for the NFC West reps. Due to even more attrition to the roster and upper management depending on a bevy of rookies to turn this ship around, I can’t argue with the sentiment.
Los Angeles Rams: There Will Be Blood II
The 2022-23 season was a tumultuous one for the Los Angeles Rams, but it was clearly apparent this team wasn’t up to snuff through the first six weeks. After getting owned in the season opener by the Buffalo Bills, LA would win three of its next five games but lose both matchups against the division rival San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. The wins came against the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, and Carolina Panthers. Can you guess which six teams went to the playoffs? The team would then face a number of major setbacks. Star WR Cooper Kupp suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 9, and QB Matthew Stafford would struggle with injuries before being benched due to multiple concussions incurred through his nine starts. The Rams’ offensive line was a major reason why with the front office failing to build its depth or replace key personnel up front responsible for helping lead the team to the Promised Land the year prior. It led to constant pressure on Stafford and his backups which led to a lackluster offensive performance that saw it rank dead last overall and No. 27 in scoring (18.1 PPG). The defense relied heavily on standout defensive tackle Aaron Donald, but cornerback Jalen Ramsey didn’t perform at his usual elite level. The team also suffered from a lack of depth due to free agency departures and injuries. Overall, the Rams finished with the second-worst offense in the NFL and a defense that ranked 21st in EPA that got ripped through the air (No. 21).
Bet the Los Angeles Rams Season Win Total at BetRivers Sportsbook
Los Angeles Rams Season Wins Total: 6.5
Oddsmakers at BetRivers have set the Los Angeles Rams’ win total at 6.5-games which clocks in four-games fewer than where they went off the board a season ago. They’ll oppose three of the top five Super Bowl contenders in their first five games: the San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles. It also has the disadvantage of facing four opponents coming off their bye week, tied for the highest in the league. These matchups include the Pittsburgh Steelers, at Dallas Cowboys, at Baltimore Ravens, and Washington Commanders. They’ll face 10 teams that finished above .500 in 2022, including five teams with 12 or more wins. Based on their opponents’ combined win total from the previous season, the Rams have the toughest schedule in the NFL. When going by this season’s win totals, the Rams sport a middle of the road schedule strength per Sharp Football Analysis. The Rams will face an uphill battle to exceed their win total considering the tough opposition and rest disadvantages throughout.
Case for the Over
There are several reasons to consider betting on the Rams surpassing their win total of 6.5 games. The return of Kupp and a healthy Stafford will provide a significant boost to the Rams’ offense. Kupp was on pace for another stellar season before his injury, and Stafford has the potential to regain his form provided the retooled offensive line pans out. Despite a disappointing season, head coach Sean McVay remains highly regarded as one of the top coaches and offensive minds in the league. With a motivated head coach and key players back in the lineup, the Rams have the potential to turn things around. LA also made a coaching change in the offseason, bringing in Mike LaFleur as offensive coordinator. LaFleur’s experience and creativity, developed under Kyle Shanahan, could inject new life into the attack with a more diverse running game and improved play-calling possibly leading to better overall offensive production.
Case for the Under
While there is some optimism surrounding the Rams, there are also factors that could hinder their ability to exceed their win total odds at BetRivers. LA’s aggressive approach to building a roster has left them with a lack of depth at key positions. The team’s reliance on stars and scrubs could pose challenges if injuries strike again or if key players underperform. The Rams have several key players who are longer in the tooth, including Matthew Stafford (35), Aaron Donald (32), and Cooper Kupp (30). The potential decline or increased susceptibility to injuries among these veterans could impact the team’s overall performance. Relying upon an enormous rookie crop (13) to fill the void is a major crapshoot! Upper management didn’t make significant moves to address the wretched offensive line in the offseason either. On top of that, the defense also lost a number of key players leaving Donald on an island to teach the youngsters how to excel in this day and age of the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams Schedule
Week 1: at Seahawks
Week 2: vs. 49ers
Week 3: at Bengals (MNF)
Week 4: at Colts
Week 5: vs. Eagles
Week 6: vs. Cardinals
Week 7: vs. Steelers
Week 8: at Cowboys
Week 9: at Packers
Week 10: Bye Week
Week 11: vs. Seahawks
Week 12: at Cardinals
Week 13: vs. Browns
Week 14: at Ravens
Week 15: vs. Commanders
Week 16: vs. Saints (TNF)
Week 17: at Giants
Week 18: at 49ers
Los Angeles Rams Season Win Total Analysis
In closing my write up for slamming the under of the Rams win total last season, I made reference to McVay and GM Les Snead flat-out laughing at the Patriots first round selection of offensive linemen Cole Strange. I expected karma to come back to bite them and boy did it ever! With so many integral pieces to this team’s success from the last handful of years having since departed and the holdovers entering their swan song campaigns, it comes to reason that it’s going to continue getting worse before it gets better. That paired with an incredibly nasty schedule for a third place team leads me to believe the Rams will once again be NFC West bystanders – along with the Arizona Cardinals – for the second straight NFL betting season. As such, the Rams are a team I’ll fade on the win total odds for the second straight year while keeping a close eye on the younger crop with the hope this is a team to target and hopefully get some value backing from oddsmakers next season.
Los Angeles Rams Season Win Total Prediction: Under 6.5 -125
Bet NFL Win Totals at BetRivers Sportsbook
