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Rams power rankings roundup: LA continues its climb into top 10

Cameron DaSilva

Rams power rankings roundup: LA continues its climb into top 10

It’s been a long time since the Rams were considered a top-10 team in the NFL but they’re approaching that territory after winning four of their last five games. Some experts have already ranked the Rams in the top 10, while others are beginning to come around to the idea of Los Angeles being one of the 15 best teams in football.

Here’s a roundup of the latest power rankings from around the internet, showing how everyone views the Rams entering Week 16.

Touchdown Wire: No. 12

The Rams moved up one spot in Touchdown Wire’s power rankings this week and are now approaching the top 10. The Jaguars, Browns and Texans are all ahead of Los Angeles, but the Rams could overtake them in these rankings soon.

Last Week: 13 Matthew Stafford is playing like a top five quarterback right now. If the season ended today, the Rams would play the Cowboys in the playoffs, and I have to say, this may be the year where a No. 7 seed defeats a No. 2 seed. If the Rams get in, watch out.

USA TODAY: No. 9

USA TODAY’s Nate Davis already had the Rams in the top 10, ranking them 10th last week, but they jumped up one spot to No. 9 this week following their win over the Commanders.

9. Los Angeles Rams (10): Since he was forced to miss Week 9’s game at Green Bay, Matthew Stafford is playing as well as anyone (4-1 record, 1,250 passing yards, 13 TD passes, 2 INTs, 105.2 QB rating) — which correlates to LA’s belated rise into wild-card contention.

ESPN: No. 14

At 7-7, the Rams are currently No. 14 in ESPN’s rankings, one spot better than where they were last week.

The Rams have scored a touchdown or field goal on 97.7% of their trips to the red zone. And while head coach Sean McVay said Monday that the Rams have overall “been pretty good in the red area,” he stressed that he needs to do a better job with his playcalls to make sure they’re scoring touchdowns instead of field goals more consistently. “Once we do get in the tight red area, we’ve been consistent [at] making those kicks,” McVay said. “… But ultimately you want to come away with touchdowns. I think there’s been a heightened awareness, which you have to acknowledge those things because it’s always about what have you done lately and being able to continue to take steps.” — Sarah Barshop

The Athletic: No. 10

The Athletic moved the Rams into the top 10, putting them 10th after they were ranked No. 11 a week ago.

This was supposed to be a reset year for the Rams, and it looked like it when they started 3-6. Since then, Sean McVay’s crew is 4-1 with the only loss coming to the Ravens. During the winning streak, the Rams are fourth in the league in scoring (29.8 ppg), and Matthew Stafford is fifth in the league in passer rating (105.2) and second in passing touchdowns (13). It’s been good enough to get them to the seventh seed, for now at least.

CBS Sports: No. 16

CBS Sports gives Sean McVay props for the job he’s done with the Rams this season, moving them up from No. 17 to 16.

They currently hold the final spot in the NFC playoffs. That’s impressive coaching by Sean McVay.

The Ringer: No. 10

The Rams stayed put at No. 10 this week in The Ringer’s power rankings, remaining a top-10 team entering Week 16. It’s tied for their highest ranking of the season at The Ringer.

The Rams’ postseason hopes improved in Week 15 thanks to their 28-20 win over the Commanders, combined with Green Bay’s loss to the Buccaneers. Los Angeles now has just better than a coin-flip chance of making the playoffs, per The New York Times’ predictor. The offense is finally healthy, with some star players in Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams leading what could be a very scary attack. The problem for this team lies in the defense. Against one of the most sack-prone offenses in the league-Washington-L.A.’s front got home just once. And the secondary is also a concern. Cornerback Derion Kendrick, in particular, is a problem for the Rams: He allowed multiple scores that nearly gave Washington a window for an improbable comeback. -Riley McAtee

Bleacher Report: No. 13

Bleacher Report moved the Rams up two spots from No. 15 to 13 this week following their win over the Commanders as they continue to approach the top 10.

Had you said before the season that the Los Angeles Rams would be in the playoffs 15 weeks into the season, you would have been going out on a limb. After taking care of the Commanders on Sunday to move to 7-7 on the season, that’s where the Rams find themselves. But head coach Sean McVay told reporters that he’s not looking any further ahead than Thursday’s contest with the 7-7 New Orleans Saints.

ProFootballTalk: No. 14

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk moved the Rams up one spot, ranking them 14th after they were No. 15 a week ago. And like so many other fans, he wants to see the Rams face the Lions in the playoffs.

14. Rams (7-7, No. 15): All I want for Christmas is Rams at Lions in the playoffs.

Pro Football Network: No. 13

Pro Football Network has been lower on the Rams than most outlets in recent weeks, ranking them 18th a week ago. They’re beginning to get on board with Los Angeles, moving the team up to No. 13 this week.

Few offenses are humming like the Rams’ after Week 15. Los Angeles has averaged 33 points per game over the last month, and that includes matchups against the Browns and Baltimore Ravens, who may field the NFL’s two best defenses. Back in playoff position at the NFC’s No. 7 seed, the Rams need at least two more wins to feel good about a postseason slot.