Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Los Angeles Rams
The first week of the 2025 NFL season is about to start with an in-division matchup between Super Bowl winners Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.
With the season set to begin, Pro Football Focus revealed its power ranking for Week 1 of the season, placing the Los Angeles Rams just inside the top 10. PFF’s Thomas Valentine ranked the Rams as the 9th team ahead of the 2025-26 season.
“The Rams have been sweating the offseason, waiting to find out the extent of Matthew Stafford’s back injury, but head coach Sean McVay said he expects the veteran quarterback to start against the [Houston] Texans in Week 1. Still, Stafford is 37 years old, and the Rams’ offensive line isn’t without its flaws. They’ll have to be at their best to keep Stafford upright,” Valentine wrote.
“The positives are that the Rams replaced Cooper Kupp with Davante Adams in the offseason, and he’ll give the offense a true X receiver. With Adams and Puka Nacua, the Rams have two of the best receivers in the league. The ceiling is high for this team, but the floor feels like it could crater at any moment.”
According to PFF, the LA Rams have a 3% chance to win the Super Bowl. Behind the Rams at the 10 spot are the Minnesota Vikings, who have the same percentage to win the Super Bowl.
Player To Watch
Jared Verse
GettyLos Angeles Rams pass rusher Jared Verse (center)
In the power rankings article from PFF, they list a player for every team to watch out for. Valentine chose EDGE rusher Jared Verse for the Rams.
“It’s the easy pick, but reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse is poised to become a true household name in 2025. The former Florida State first-round pick earned an 86.2 PFF overall grade and racked up 77 pressures in 2024. He is the face of a young Rams defense looking to make an impact,” Valentine wrote.
The Defensive Rookie of the Year said that he expects to get more sacks in his second season, after only recording 4.5 sacks in his rookie year.
The former Seminole has trained with three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald in the offseason to prepare for the 25-26 season.
Verse has also been named as the 8th best EDGE rusher in the league ahead of the new season by PFF.
Everything Relies On The Quarterback’s Health
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
GettyMatthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are considered Super Bowl contenders ahead of the season, but the season relies on the starting quarterback.
Matthew Stafford is set to play in the week one matchup against the Texans after suffering a back injury that has kept him out most of training camp.
“Doing everything we can to try to get to feeling as good as I can,” Stafford said, via the NFL website. “… Just really everything I could possibly do. Done a ton of research just trying to help myself out. Good things is I feel pretty good the last couple of days out there practicing.”
If Stafford reinjures his back, the chances of the Rams making the playoffs dwindle. Jimmy Garoppolo is the backup for the team and has played in the Super Bowl, giving the Rams some life.