The Los Angeles Rams must be aiming to repeat the script that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers followed last season.
The defending Super Bowl champions became the first NFL team to play the big game on their home turf.
Super Bowl LVI will be on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium, and the Rams would like to make a return to the big dance in their state-of-the-art facility.
Today we placed the coveted Lombardi Trophy for #SuperBowl LVI on display at the Hall. This is the actual trophy that will be presented to the winner of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/WPEMBrfaG4
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 5, 2021
So far, all indications lead to them potentially playing for the title in Inglewood.
Anyone invested in football treated the Rams’ Week 3 showdown against the Buccaneers as an NFC playoff preview.
Therefore, everyone expected it to be a hotly contested battle that would end in a game-winning field goal.
However, the Rams had other plans in a convincing 34-24 victory over a star-studded Buccaneers roster.
3-0. Nothing but clear skies in LA. 😎 pic.twitter.com/2kXaGz38sm
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 26, 2021
The Sean McVay-Matthew Stafford partnership is a match made in heaven.
Stafford is having fun commanding McVay’s system while the young head coach brings the energy from the sidelines.
The 33-year-old quarterback completed 27 passes for 343 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
After Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season, Stafford ranks fifth in passing yards (942), second in average yards per completion (10.0), and second in touchdown passes (9).
Stafford also has the best quarterback rating at 82.8 and second behind Russell Wilson‘s passer rating at 129.8.
Matthew Stafford has 9 Pass TD, tied with Kurt Warner (1999) for the most ever by a Rams QB in their first three games of a season.
That year, Warner won MVP and the Rams won the Super Bowl 👀 pic.twitter.com/RTYkW3hrx2
— ESPN (@espn) September 26, 2021
The Rams are reaping the rewards from the trade that swapped Stafford for Jared Goff and three draft picks.
Likewise, wide receiver Cooper Kupp has had a strong start as Stafford’s primary target.
The five-year veteran from Eastern Washington finished with nine receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns against Tampa Bay.
The vertical passing game that McVay draws and Stafford directs has enabled Kupp to lead the league in receiving yards (367) and receiving touchdowns (5).
Solid On Both Sides Of The Ball
Kupp is also third in yards after the catch (174) and tied for second in receptions of 20 yards or more (5).
Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, Sony Michel, Tyler Higbee, and DeSean Jackson contribute to the second-highest scoring offense in the league at 31.7 points per game.
Meanwhile, the three sacks on Stafford in as many games is a testament to the Rams offensive line.
Veterans like Rob Havenstein, Brian Allen, and Andrew Whitworth give Stafford enough time to complete throws downfield by providing a solid pocket.
How big was Andrew Whitworth’s fumble recovery today when the game was still tied in the 2nd quarter?
The ageless wonder continues to be the best free agent signing by the Rams in the last 10 years.
— SeattleRams (@seattlerams_nfl) September 27, 2021
If their offensive line is effective, their defensive line is menacing, starting with three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.
They also have Leonard Floyd, an effective pass rusher from a linebacker spot, and Jalen Ramsey, one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in football.
Their stellar defensive unit limits opponents to 20.7 points per game (ninth-best in the league) while generating nine sacks (fifth-best).
Maintaining this pace on both offense and defense will make the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes more realistic.
if i'm on the high school team and aaron donald has my back, we don't even need 11 people.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) September 21, 2021
They have the roster to win it all, especially against the teams in their division.
The NFC West is arguably the best division in the NFL because each team is a legitimate contender.
That said, the Week 4 clash between the 3-0 Rams and the 3-0 Arizona Cardinals promises to be an intense battle.
Winning that game might help the Rams bring a Hollywood ending to their season.
NEXT: Matthew Stafford Looks Like A New Man In Rams Debut