Random Ramsdom: Rams ranked 7th in post-Super Bowl power rankings

If you read a lot of the preseason opinions and predictions for the 2020 Rams team, then you know just how much this club exceeded the majority’s expectations following a year where they missed out on the postseason with a 9-7 mark in 2019.

Many of those preseason predictions had the Rams ending around at .500 or below, but the NFL’s number one defense can do wonders for a team’s success and it was that unit that led the way for them to finish with an improved 10-6 record and a victory in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the Packers in the divisional round.

Now with the Super Bowl come and gone, Bleacher Report’s NFL Staff put together a final post-Super Bowl set of power rankings where the Rams finished seventh. That put them one spot behind the Cleveland Browns and just ahead of the Seattle Seahawks.

Here’s what the staff had to say about where Los Angeles finished in their rankings and the team’s overall future going forward:

“Snead’s latest trade was a blockbuster in every sense—the Rams sent quarterback Jared Goff, a third-round pick in 2021 and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 to the Detroit Lions for veteran signal-caller Matthew Stafford.”

“The move shows it’s Super Bowl or bust in Los Angeles next year—that the Rams believe the upgrade from Goff to Stafford can boost the team back to football’s biggest stage.”

“The Rams do have the league’s top defense, led by three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, and a loaded cadre of skill-position talent. This will be easily the most talented team Stafford has ever played on.”

And it could get even more talented—per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Stafford is receiving texts from veteran free agents looking to come to L.A. to chase a ring.

Of course, there’s a flip side. Anything less than a championship will be viewed as a failure for these Rams—especially after mortgaging even more of the future to bolster the present.

There’s nothing wrong with big hopes and expectations. Although the franchise has already had those for the past few years, the Rams’ new quarterback certainly makes them even more justified.

Now for today’s links.

Rams News:

Check out this free agent spotlight for Austin Blythe (TheRams.com)

John Vogel highlights draft prospect Tavante Beckett (Ramblin’ Fan)

Raheem Morris is excited to coach Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey (The Rams Wire)

Aaron Donald is starting to feel older but he’s not expecting to slow down anytime soon (The Rams Wire)

NFL News:

Britt Reid being placed on leave by Chiefs (ESPN)

Kevin Seifert previews the 2021 offseason (ESPN)

Post-Super Bowl power rankings (NFL.com)

The Eagles are losing leverage in their attempt to trade Carson Wentz (Pro Football Talk)

Russell Wilson is tired of getting hit so often (Bleacher Report)

Ryan Wilson’s latest 2021 mock (CBS Sports)