The 2020 Los Angeles Rams bounced back from their disappointing 2019 season and returned to the playoffs, but their journey was a mix of strong defense, struggles on offense, and a notable change at quarterback. Here’s an overview of their 2020 season:
Key Highlights:
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Regular Season Record:
- The Rams finished the regular season with a 10-6 record, securing a wild-card spot in the NFC playoffs.
- They finished second in the NFC West, behind the Seattle Seahawks, but still managed to earn a playoff berth due to their solid overall play and strong defensive performance.
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Defense – A Top Unit:
- The Rams’ defense was the team’s backbone throughout the season. Under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, they were one of the most dominant defenses in the league.
- Aaron Donald, once again, was the centerpiece of the defense, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors for the third time in his career. Donald finished the season with 13.5 sacks and continued to be a game-wrecker in the trenches.
- The secondary, led by Jalen Ramsey, was also a strength. Ramsey had an outstanding season, often shadowing top receivers and helping the Rams finish with the top-ranked pass defense in the league.
- The Rams allowed just 18.5 points per game, the second-lowest in the NFL, and finished with the #1 total defense in the league.
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Offensive Struggles:
- On offense, the Rams had notable issues despite a talented roster. Jared Goff started at quarterback but struggled with consistency. He finished the season with 3,952 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, but he was often erratic and prone to turnovers.
- Cooper Kupp (92 receptions, 974 yards, 3 TDs) and Robert Woods (936 yards, 6 TDs) were Goff’s top receiving targets, but the offense often struggled to move the ball effectively.
- Cam Akers, a rookie running back, emerged as the team’s lead back and showed promise, finishing with 625 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while also contributing in the passing game.
- The offensive line was also inconsistent, especially in pass protection, contributing to Goff’s struggles.
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Quarterback Change – Jared Goff vs. John Wolford:
- In Week 17, with a playoff spot on the line, Jared Goff was injured, and John Wolford, a former AAF quarterback, started in Goff’s place. Wolford helped the Rams secure a 18-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals, clinching the wild-card spot.
- In the wild-card playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, Goff played despite a thumb injury, leading the Rams to a 30-20 victory over the Seahawks. However, his play was shaky, and the Rams’ defense played a huge role in the win.
- The Rams’ offense struggled throughout the playoffs, but the defense kept them in games.
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Playoffs:
- In the Divisional Round, the Rams faced the Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately, the Rams were outmatched. Despite a solid defensive performance, the Rams’ offense couldn’t generate enough points, and they lost 32-18.
- Goff, still recovering from his thumb injury, played through pain but wasn’t effective against the Packers’ defense. Cam Akers had a strong game on the ground, but the Rams couldn’t match Green Bay’s explosive offense, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
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Special Teams and Coaching:
- Special teams were solid, with Johnny Hekker continuing to be one of the NFL’s top punters.
- Sean McVay, the Rams’ head coach, continued to be a respected leader but was criticized for the team’s offensive struggles. Still, McVay did a great job maintaining focus and ensuring the Rams made the playoffs in a challenging NFC West division.
Notable Players:
- Aaron Donald (DT) – Defensive Player of the Year, 13.5 sacks, continued dominance.
- Jalen Ramsey (CB) – Shut down top receivers, played a major role in the Rams’ top-ranked pass defense.
- Cooper Kupp (WR) – Led the team in receptions and yards.
- Robert Woods (WR) – Consistent target and reliable receiver.
- Cam Akers (RB) – Showed promise as the lead back, finished strong in the second half of the season.
- Johnny Hekker (Punter) – Still one of the top punters in the league.
- Jared Goff (QB) – Started most of the season but was inconsistent, ultimately overshadowed by the team’s defense.
The 2020 Los Angeles Rams were a team defined by their defense. The defense was elite, carrying the team to a playoff spot despite offensive inconsistency. Jared Goff’s struggles, coupled with limited production from the running game, kept the Rams from truly competing for a Super Bowl, but they remained competitive thanks to one of the best defenses in the league.
Despite the early exit in the playoffs, the Rams were well-positioned for future success, with a defense that could compete with the best and a young, promising backfield led by Cam Akers. However, Goff’s inconsistent play would soon lead the Rams to make a major change at quarterback in the offseason, bringing in Matthew Stafford in a blockbuster trade.
