[
theramswire.usatoday.com] Rams' projected win total set at 7.5 games. Will they go over or under?
Cameron DaSilva
March 27, 2023 11:18 am PT
There’s a massive difference in pre-season expectations for the Los Angeles Rams this year compared to last season. This time last year, the Rams were viewed as one of the best teams in the league following their Super Bowl LVI win, looking like a legitimate threat to repeat as champions.
They came up way short of those high hopes, finishing the year 5-12 and in third place in the NFC West. Combine that disappointing season with the number of losses suffered already this offseason and the Rams have the appearance of a team that will struggle to make the playoffs.
The oddsmakers don’t see them as much of a threat in the NFC, even with a weaker schedule. DraftKings Sportsbook released projected win totals for every NFL team and the Rams’ line was set at 7.5 games.
Over 7.5 wins: -120 ($120 to win $100)
Under 7.5 wins: +100 ($100 to win $100)
This is the second-lowest win total for the Rams since Sean McVay was hired in 2017. Expectations were understandably low in his first season and the Rams’ win total was set at just 5.5 games, which they cleared easily by going 11-5 in McVay’s inaugural season.
Since then, their projected win totals have ranged from 8.5 games to 10.5.
2022: 10.5 (under)
2021: 10 (over)
2020: 8.5 (over)
2019: 10.5 (under)
2018: 9.5 (over)
2017: 5.5 (over)
The only teams with a lower projected win total than the Rams are the Texans, Buccaneers, Colts and Cardinals.
Eight wins isn’t out of the question for the Rams, especially with the NFC looking like the weaker conference. They do still have Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp, which should be enough to win them five games alone.
Their 2023 season will mostly come down to how their rookies and second-year players perform because a good portion of the roster will be comprised of young starters and backups.
