The 2017 Los Angeles Rams experienced a remarkable turnaround, finishing the season with an impressive 11-5 record, winning the NFC West for the first time since 2003. It was a breakout year for the franchise, marked by a combination of exciting young talent, a dynamic new head coach, and a rejuvenated offense. The Rams were one of the most improved teams in the NFL, and their performance in 2017 set the stage for future success.
Here’s a breakdown of the 2017 Los Angeles Rams:
1. Head Coach: Sean McVay
- Sean McVay, hired as head coach in 2017, was the youngest head coach in modern NFL history at just 30 years old. McVay brought a fresh, innovative approach to the Rams’ offense and quickly established himself as one of the brightest young minds in the league.
- McVay’s offensive system helped unlock the potential of the Rams’ players, particularly Jared Goff, and completely transformed the offense into one of the league’s best. His ability to design creative plays, prioritize the run game, and develop an effective passing attack was crucial to the team’s success.
- The Rams’ success in 2017 was largely attributed to McVay’s leadership and ability to make the most out of his young roster.
2. Quarterback: Jared Goff
- Jared Goff had a breakout season under McVay’s coaching, showing marked improvement from his tough rookie year in 2016. Goff emerged as one of the NFL’s most improved players in 2017.
- Goff threw for 3,804 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, leading the Rams to the NFC West title and earning his first Pro Bowl selection. His accuracy, poise, and decision-making improved significantly, and he was able to make big plays down the field.
- Goff’s success in 2017 was directly tied to McVay’s system, which simplified the offense and allowed Goff to thrive.
3. Offense:
- The Rams’ offense was one of the most dynamic in the NFL, finishing 1st in total offense (averaging 392.1 yards per game).
- Todd Gurley was the centerpiece of the offense, combining his rushing ability with excellent hands in the passing game. Gurley finished the season with 1,305 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, and 788 receiving yards with 6 receiving touchdowns, making him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
- The Rams’ offensive line, which had been a weakness in previous years, improved significantly, providing better protection for Goff and opening up lanes for Gurley. Andrew Whitworth, who was signed in free agency, played a crucial role in solidifying the line at left tackle.
- The Rams had a deep and talented receiving corps led by Cooper Kupp (869 yards, 5 TDs), Robert Woods (1,134 yards, 5 TDs), and Tavon Austin (though his impact was limited). Sammy Watkins was acquired in a trade from Buffalo in the offseason, providing another weapon for the offense. This diverse group of receivers allowed the Rams to stretch the field and keep defenses on their heels.
- McVay’s play-action-heavy offense made the most of Goff’s strengths, often using motion and misdirection to create open throws.
4. Defense:
- The Rams’ defense was solid but inconsistent at times. They finished the season ranked 12th in total defense but had some weaknesses in their secondary and against the run.
- Aaron Donald, widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, had an outstanding season, recording 11 sacks and earning his third Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Donald’s pressure up the middle was a game-changer for the Rams’ defense.
- The Rams also boasted a talented defensive line, including Michael Brockers and Robert Quinn, who contributed to the pass rush.
- In the secondary, Trumaine Johnson was the leader at cornerback, but the group had its struggles, especially in coverage. The Rams made several midseason moves to address this, acquiring Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters in the 2018 offseason, which would help strengthen the secondary in the years to come.
- The linebacking group, led by Alec Ogletree (95 tackles, 1 interception) and Mark Barron, was solid, but the Rams struggled at times to defend against the run.
5. Special Teams:
- Johnny Hekker, the Rams’ punter, continued to be one of the best in the league, earning another All-Pro selection. His ability to flip the field and pin opponents deep in their own territory was critical.
- Greg Zuerlein, the kicker, had an excellent season, making 38 of 40 field goals, including a game-winning 57-yard field goal against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Zuerlein earned a Pro Bowl selection and was crucial to the Rams’ success in tight games.
- Tavon Austin contributed as a returner, but the Rams were inconsistent in their return game overall.
6. Key Games:
- Win over the Dallas Cowboys (Week 4): The Rams defeated the Cowboys 35-30 in a high-scoring game. Gurley and Goff both played excellent games, with Goff throwing for 3 touchdowns and Gurley rushing for 3 touchdowns. This was a statement win that helped establish the Rams as a legitimate contender.
- Win over the New Orleans Saints (Week 12): The Rams won a thrilling game 26-20 in Week 12. Goff threw for 354 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the Rams defense stepped up late to secure the victory.
- Win over the Tennessee Titans (Week 16): The Rams clinched the NFC West title with a 27-23 win over the Titans. Gurley ran for over 100 yards and a touchdown, and the Rams’ offense was able to control the game.
- Loss to the Atlanta Falcons (Wild Card Round): The Rams’ season ended with a disappointing 26-13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Wild Card Round. Goff and the offense struggled, and the defense couldn’t make enough stops against a solid Falcons team. The loss was a tough way to end an otherwise successful season, but it provided valuable playoff experience for a young team.
7. Draft and Roster Moves:
- The Rams had a relatively quiet draft in 2017, as they had traded away several picks in previous years to build their roster. However, they made key moves in free agency, notably signing Andrew Whitworth (LT) and Robert Woods (WR) to bolster the offense.
- The draft also brought in Cooper Kupp, a talented wide receiver who quickly became a key contributor, catching 62 passes for 869 yards and 5 touchdowns in his rookie season.
- The Rams also brought in key role players like John Johnson (S), who would eventually become a starter, but most of their focus was on improving the roster through free agency.
8. Overall Outlook:
- The 2017 Los Angeles Rams were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL. After finishing last in the NFC West the previous year, they became one of the most explosive teams in the league, thanks to Sean McVay‘s offensive genius, the emergence of Jared Goff, and the continued brilliance of Todd Gurley.
- The Rams showed they could compete with the league’s best teams, earning an NFC West title and hosting a playoff game. Despite a disappointing exit in the playoffs, they were clearly a team on the rise.
- The future was incredibly bright for the Rams, with a young and talented roster, an innovative coach, and a strong foundation in place for sustained success.
The 2017 Los Angeles Rams marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise. Under the leadership of Sean McVay, the team transformed from a struggling squad into an NFC West champion with a dynamic offense and a solid defense. The Rams’ 11-5 record was a testament to McVay’s coaching, the development of Jared Goff, and the continued excellence of Todd Gurley. While the Rams’ playoff run was short, the foundation for a championship-contending team was clearly in place, setting up future seasons of success.
