Although the Los Angeles Rams are a disappointing 6-6 right now, they still have a real shot at winning the NFC West and making the playoffs again, mainly due to the overall ineptitude of the division.
The San Francisco 49ers, the defending conference champions, have been decimated by injuries and are 5-7, and the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks have had trouble getting off the ground, which has opened up a pathway for the Rams to finish first.
Los Angeles has had their own problems with injuries this season, and rookie pass rusher Jared Verse was added to their injury report on Thursday with an ankle ailment, per Around the NFL.
Rams first-rounder Jared Verse added to injury report, limited in practice https://t.co/nNCj7S5QEC pic.twitter.com/WFcTcprr2X
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 5, 2024
Verse was limited in practice on Thursday, and he is someone they will need in order to have any real shot at defeating the Buffalo Bills this Sunday.
The Bills are on a seven-game winning streak and are starting to look like worthy challengers to the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, while quarterback Josh Allen seems to be the favorite to win the MVP award.
Verse, the No. 19 pick in this year’s draft out of Florida State University, has 4.5 sacks and leads the Rams with 17 quarterback hits and 11 tackles for loss this season.
After winning it all in the 2021 season and then missing the playoffs the following year, they have become competitive again thanks to some very shrewd drafting, especially on defense.
While they may not make the playoffs this year, their immediate future looks pretty bright, at least as long as 36-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford is healthy and productive.
