The Los Angeles Rams went with a youth movement to try and get back to respectability and that extended to the head coach. Former Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay is the guy in charge and after developing Kirk Cousins into one of the best, he’ll attempt to do the same with Jared Goff. At the very least the two can hang out together. McVay is the youngest coach in NFL history and is just nine years older than his quarterback. Their relationship will be tested in Week 1 when the Rams host the Indianapolis Colts, who could be without their QB for the opener.
Don't miss any of the NFL Week 1 action on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 4:05 p.m. ET. This duel from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will be televised on CBS.
NFL Week 1 Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Andrew Luck vs. Andrew Luck
The Colts said this week that there is no timetable for the return of Luck, which puts his availability for the opener in doubt. Indy’s chances of beating any team take a severe dip without their Pro Bowl signal caller. Of course there’s always the chance the he will miraculously recover and be ready for the opener. It wouldn’t be the first time teams hoodwink the media.
Luck has spent the entire preseason on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from shoulder surgery in January. The procedure was necessitated by the constant pounding he took last year. Behind a porous offensive line, Luck was sacked 41 times and has been sacked 156 times in 70 career games.
Despite the lofty sack total and operating with a sore arm, Luck still threw for 4,240 yards and 31 touchdowns while completing a career-best 63.5 percent of his passes. Those numbers are far better than anything his backup and likely starter against the Rams if he’s unable to go, Scott Tolzien has manufactured.
Todd Gurley vs. Colts Run Defense
The Rams did absolutely nothing on offense last season and the run game was a major factor. Lacking the ability to move the football on the ground, quarterbacks were fair game for opposing defenses and the Rams usually lost that battle.
Easily the most inept offense in the league last season, the Rams averaged just 262.7 yards per game and scored 14 points per outing. After a rookie season where he gained over 1,000 yards rushing, Gurley managed just 885 in 2016 and his 3.2 yards per carry were abysmal. The Rams need to improve to help out Goff and Gurley will have a revamped offensive line to run behind.
The Colts made a slew of changes to their defense in hopes of being better at stopping teams. They surrendered over 120 yards per game on the ground last season to rank 25th. In steps four new free agent linebackers led by former Texan John Simon and Patriot Jabaal Sheard. Goff isn’t ready to lead the Rams by himself and help from Gurley will make the group more potent.
Andrew Whitworth vs. Colts Pass Rushers
It was difficult for Gurley to run and Goff to throw behind an offensive line that was atrocious last year. The group was overmatched and the Rams ranked last in total offense while surrendering the second most sacks in the league with 49. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what needed to be upgraded.
So the Rams went out and signed veterans Whitworth and John Sullivan to address the problem. Whitworth is getting long in the tooth, but he was the best option available to the Rams and he’s probably their most important player heading into 2017.
The team invested heavily in its franchise quarterback so why not do the same to protect him. Whitworth is a huge man and had Andy Dalton’s blindside for years in Cincinnati. He’ll not only keep Goff upright but he’ll help create holes for Gurley as well. He won’t solve all the problems by himself, but at least the Rams got a good one to start the McVay era off.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sports every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
