Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Los Angeles Rams Week 5 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 5 roundup for the Los Angeles Rams in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 15

Biggest issue on defense: Taking the ball away

Through four games, the Rams have only two takeaways: an interception in Week 3 and a fumble recovery in Week 4. This is something that has continued from last season. Los Angeles is tied for 28th in the NFL in takeaways this season and tied for 24th in turnover differential (minus-3). The Rams have games coming up against the Eagles (four turnovers), Cardinals (two turnovers) and Steelers (five turnovers), so forcing turnovers could be key to stringing wins together. -- Sarah Barshop

NFL.com -- Rank: 17

Early on against the Colts, the Rams really leaned on them with the run game -- not for many chunk plays, but for consistent short and medium pickups. I suspect that took a physical toll on Indianapolis and factored into the Colts coming up just short in their comeback attempt. Basically, this is my way to avoid focusing on Puka Nacua for the fourth straight week, but I really like that Sean McVay has added a power-running dimension to his team that it seldom had before. But yeah, Nacua remains a revelation, and Cooper Kupp is coming back. As long as Matthew Stafford remains upright, this is a dangerous and intriguing team.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 17

At 2-2, they have to be happy with their four-game start. They almost blew the Colts game, but responded when needed in overtime.

USA Today -- Rank: 9

What can a second-ranked passing attack become with WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp? The answer should be forthcoming as Kupp's return from his hamstring injury nears.

The Athletic -- Rank: 12

The Rams blew a 23-0 second-half lead but still held on to win. Quarterback Matthew Stafford played through a hip pointer and passed for 319 yards. In his 15th year, Stafford is second in the league in passing yards (1,229). In his first year, Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has 39 catches for 501 yards, both of which are the most by any player in his first four NFL games.

FOX -- Rank: 18

They did give up a 23-point lead, but the Rams got away with the win. You've still got to consider San Francisco the NFC West favorites, but I wonder about the Rams. Cooper Kupp is expected back soon. In a wide-open NFC, could this team play well enough to snag a wildcard? With the way Matthew Stafford is playing, I'm starting to think that could be true.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 17

Puka Nacua has 39 catches for 501 yards. That's not a pace to set rookie records, it's on pace to set the all-time single-season NFL records. The pace is about 166 catches for 2,129 yards. It seems reasonable to think Nacua's production will slow down when Cooper Kupp returns, but we also didn't predict Nacua having the best four-game start for any rookie receiver in NFL history either.

PFT -- Rank: 12

If Matthew Stafford can play, they'll give the Eagles all they can handle.

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