The Los Angeles Rams suffered an agonizing loss in Super Bowl 53 against the New England Patriots. That's how the 2018 season ended for Sean McVay and the Rams, an utterly heart-wrenching performance.
After having one of the best offenses in the NFL throughout the whole season, the Rams managed to only score three points in the most important game of the season. It's tough to bounce back from a defeat that demoralizing, but McVay and company are up for the challenge.
You can't dwell on what could've been or what should've happened. It's all about moving forward and correcting your shortcomings.
Let's not forget that the Rams were 4-12 just a few seasons ago before McVay swooped in to save the day. This Rams team isn't going anywhere and, if anything, they're just getting started.
This offseason, they may have lost Rodger Saffold, Lamarcus Joyner, and likely Ndamukong Suh, but they've added Eric Weddle and Clay Matthews to the defense. Two veterans who know what it takes to make a deep playoff push, especially Matthews who won a Super Bowl in 2011 with the Green Bay Packers.
The Rams have reloaded to make another run at the Lombardi trophy. Here are three reasons why Los Angeles will be even better in 2019.
3. More Experience
Although the season didn't end as expected, the Rams can use their Super Bowl loss as a learning experience. Everyone on the team now knows how much effort and preparation goes into winning a Super Bowl.
Adding grizzled veterans like Weddle and Matthews help expedite the process and add phenomenal leaders in the locker room. Andrew Whitworth returning for another season is another plus for the Rams.
Despite a few veterans here and there, the Rams are a relatively young roster. In 2018, the Rams had the fourth-youngest roster with an average age of 25.5.
Last season was only the second season under McVay and only the second time that Los Angeles has reached the playoffs since 2004. Therefore, they now have a little more experience under their belt, making them even better for the upcoming season.
2. Sean McVay
Sean McVay continues to be a hot topic among NFL discussions. Since joining the Rams in 2017, the Rams have a record of 24-8 and reached his first Super Bowl in 2018.
McVay has worked wonders for Jared Goff and the Rams as a whole. Goff had the potential to be great and someone like McVay is able to unlock his potential.
Each and every season, the Rams improve on the offensive side of the ball in different areas. In 2018, Los Angeles ranked second in scoring offense and second in total yards of offense.
Teams across the NFL are yearning to find their own version of McVay, whether it be one of his assistant coaches or a young offensive mind. McVay's imprint on the NFL moving forward has already been made.
The offensive mastermind that is McVay gets another offseason to tweak his offense and even more wrinkles. As a result, opposing defenses should be fearful of facing the Rams offense in 2018.
1. A Healthy Todd Gurley/Cooper Kupp
Injuries can always play a factor in any sport, but that especially holds true in a contact sport like football. The Rams had two key injuries that cast a dark cloud over their season.
First, Todd Gurley suffered a knee injury in Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders. Gurley said that the injury was so bad that he contemplated giving the Rams their money back.
The Rams gave their All-Pro running back a contract extension last offseason to the tune of $60 million over four years. This offseason, there have been reports that Gurley has arthritis in his knee, which isn't what Rams fans want to hear after paying him an extension.
Nonetheless, Gurley seems to be doing a lot better now and is set to make a healthy return in 2019. Even with missing two games in 2018, Gurley finished with 1,831 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns (career-high).
Another unfortunate injury that occurred during the regular season was the one to Cooper Kupp. Kupp was a vital part of the Rams' high-octane offense.
Every quarterback in the NFL has their “security blanket” and if anyone would be considered Goff's security blanket it would be Kupp. The young wideout does most of his damage out of the slot position and was excelling alongside Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods.
Before he tore his ACL in Week 10, Kupp was on pace for a 1,000-yard season. In eight starts in 2018, Kupp had 40 receptions, 566 yards, and six touchdowns.
The Rams could've had three 1,000-yard receivers on their team. That would've been only the sixth time that a team had a trio of wideouts surpass 1,000 yards each.
There's no doubt that Kupp would have made an immense difference down the stretch. Nonetheless, you can't make excuses and as a fan, you have to understand that injuries are part of the game.
There's no word on whether or not Kupp is set to be ready in Week 1, but no matter when he comes back, he'll be ready to pick back up where he left off in 2018.
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