Andrew Whitworth is not the type to toss out hot takes for the sake of it. So when the former Los Angeles Rams left tackle says he expects his old team to string together wins against the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills, that carries some weight.
Those three opponents come with plenty of baggage of their own. All are projected playoff teams, and all three made the postseason last year.
Together, they’re 5-1. The Rams, meanwhile, head into Sunday Night Football in Denver at 1-1 on the road before turning around to face Philadelphia next week.
The injury situation isn’t exactly friendly, either. Los Angeles already has four key contributors on injured reserve: powerhouse wide receiver Puka Nacua, edge rusher Myles Garrett, offensive linemen Justin Dedich and Keagen Trost, and running back Ronnie Rivers. Nacua and safety Kam Kinchens are doubtful against the Broncos after missing Week 2.
Still, Whitworth believes.
That optimism may sound bold given the way the broader NFC West picture has shifted. The Seahawks, 49ers, and even the Cardinals have all been outperforming expectations, while the early Super Bowl buzz around the Rams has cooled. Another rough stretch now could leave Los Angeles staring at a hole too deep to climb out of in a division that’s already shaping up to be brutal.
But Whitworth isn’t just waving a pom-pom. He sees something concrete. The Rams, he thinks, are controlling the line of scrimmage.
Matthew Stafford has been sacked only once. Rams quarterbacks have been sacked twice on the other side of the ball.
Los Angeles running backs have piled up 285 rushing yards, while opponents have managed 226 and still haven’t scored on the ground. The defense also did a strong job holding Giants running back Cam Skattebo in check.
It’s early, but there are signs the trenches are tilting in the Rams’ favor. The offensive line has quietly been playing at a high level, and the defensive front has gotten a lift from the timely return of Aaron Donald.
None of that guarantees anything. The games still have to be played, and the Rams’ upcoming run will test them in a hurry.
But Whitworth’s confidence is rooted in what he’s seeing, not what he’s selling. And because he knows this team’s players and coaches as well as anyone, his faith doesn’t feel like empty noise.
In Other News...
Aaron Donalds Overlooked Rookie Card Says Plenty About His Rams Legacy
Among the rookie cards tucked inside Topps 2014 and 2015 football sets, Aaron Donalds still stands out as one of the more interesting finds for Rams fans and collectors alike. The piece runs through a group that also includes Mike Evans, Davante Adams and Pat McAfee, and the appeal is part nostalgia, part football history, with several of those names still carrying Hall of Fame buzz as the market keeps sorting out what their careers are worth.
For Rams followers, Donalds card is a reminder of how quickly his legacy moved from promising to undeniable, even if the hobby has not always treated his rookie issue like the obvious centerpiece it has become. The broader takeaway is pretty simple: these cards remain accessible enough to be realistic additions, but they also capture a moment when some of the leagues biggest eventual stars were still just another name in a pack. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Give Dean Connors A Real Chance To Earn A Bigger Role
The Rams made a pair of practice-squad elevations ahead of their matchup with the Broncos, bringing up running back Dean Connors and linebacker Elias Neal as they continue to sort out depth and special teams help. Connors promotion came after Ronnie Rivers was placed on injured reserve, opening a spot for a player who has spent much of his time waiting for an opportunity to show he can handle more than just emergency duty.
Sean McVay confirmed the moves and pointed to both players as pieces who can help primarily on special teams, which is often where roster decisions start to matter in a hurry. For Connors, though, this is also a real chance to make the kind of impression that can lead to a larger role if the Rams need more help behind the scenes. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Defense Just Helped Create A New Giants Quarterback Problem
Jaxson Darts rookie season has come to an abrupt halt after suffering a left knee injury that will require surgery and likely send him to injured reserve. For a Giants team already searching for stability under center, the injury has turned a shaky quarterback situation into a more urgent one, and the front office has been actively exploring the market for help even though nothing has been finalized.
Jameis Winston is set to start the next game, with Jake Haener elevated from the practice squad to serve as the backup, but that setup feels more like a stopgap than a plan. For the Rams, it is the kind of ripple effect worth noting after a defense helped send another opponent back to the drawing board at quarterback, leaving the Giants to keep sorting through a problem they can no longer afford to ignore. [Read more 🡒]