The Countdown: #30 - LA Rams
Key Additions:
QB Jared Goff (1st overall pick)
Key Departures:
DE Chris Long
LB James Lauirinitis
DT Nick Fairley
CB Janoris Jenkins
S Rodney McLeod
WR Chris Given
TE Jared Cook
2015 Rankings - Record: 7-9
Offensive Scoring - 29th
Offensive Passing - 32nd
Offensive Rushing - 7th
Defensive Scoring - 13th
Defensive Passing - 23rd
Defensing Rushing - 20th
Overview
After being on the right side of a trade that saw the Redskins send several high drafts picks to select QB Robert Griffin III, the L.A. Rams made a similar move by mortgaging their future to select QB Jared Goff.
Unfortunately, the Rams didn't acquire away receiving weapons and will go into the season with a very similar offensive line-up. While fanatics will point to the emergence of WR Tavon Austin, he failed to crack 500-yards and averaged a pedestrian 9.3 yards per reception; they will need to rely on RB Todd Gurley and Tre Mason in 2016-17. On the defensive side of the ball, the team got younger but lost a lot of leadership value by releasing Long and Lauirinitis. They didn't address the defense through the draft or free agency and appear to have taken a step back.
2016 Outlook
2016-17 Strength of Schedule: 0.551 (3rd)
In all likelihood, this Jeff Fisher led-squad will head into the season with a starting QB under centre. While QB Goff has some exciting play-makers in RB Gurley and WR Austin, they remain very thin at the receiving position. Defensively, they got younger but lost a lot of leadership and veteran experience. This is a defense that might look bad statistically due to an inept offense. It is hard to envision a successful start in their new home in Los Angeles.
?Record: 4-12
The Countdown: #29 - Tennessee Titans
Off-Season Transactions
Key Additions:
RB DeMarco Murray
WR Rishard Matthews
OT Jack Conklin (1st rounder)
RB Derrick Henry (2nd rounder)
Defensive Coordinator - person Lebeau
Key Losses:
Michael Griffin
2015 Statistics - Record: 3-13
Offensive Scoring - 28th
Offensive Passing - 25th
Offensive Rushing - 25th
Defensive Scoring - 27th
Defensive Passing - 7th
Defensive Rushing - 18th
Overview
The team used the draft and free agency to alleviate pressure on 2nd year QB Marcus Mariota. What was once a weakness, is now a strength with the addition of former pro-bowler RB DeMarco Murray and another bruising RB in Derrick Henry. This will give them the luxury of controlling the game clock and will keep opposing defenses honest. Despite ranking near the bottom in defensive scoring, the Titans were above average in preventing defenses from moving the ball through the air and on the ground. The addition of legendary coach person LeBeau should improve the red-zone defense.
2016 Outlook
Strength of Schedule: 0.473 (T-21st)
Overall, the AFC South has improved but it remains amongst the weakest divisions in the NFL. It might not be entertaining football, but if they slow down the pace and control the clock with their ground game, they might be able to squeak out some wins in close games.
Predicted Record: 5-11
I see your rationale. If Mariota and the receiving core can make big strides this year, then it certainly is possible. Thanks for reading and taking the time to post.
I have a hard time believing that the Rams will find a way to win more than three divisional games. They have a tough schedule and I think that Goff will need to be more than a game manager for them to be a .500 team. If they lose their opener in SF, this could be a team that goes 0-7 or 1-6 into the bye week.
I have a hard time believing that the Rams will find a way to win more than three divisional games. They have a tough schedule and I think that Goff will need to be more than a game manager for them to be a .500 team. If they lose their opener in SF, this could be a team that goes 0-7 or 1-6 into the bye week.
The Countdown: #28 - Chicago Bears
Off-Season Transactions
Key Additions:
OT Bobbie Massie
LB Danny Trevathan
?DT Akeem Hicks
OLB Leonard Floyd (1st rounder)
Key Losses:
?RB Matt Forte
TE Martellus Bennett
Offensive Coordinator - Adam Gase
2015 Statistics
Record: 6-10
Offensive Scoring - 23rd
Offensive Passing - 23rd
Offensive Rushing - 11th
Defensive Scoring - 20th
Defensive Passing - 4th
Defensive Rushing - 22nd
Overview
With WR Kevin White lost for the season and Alshon Jeffery missing 8 games, QB Jay Cutler still managed to have a career year. RB Matt Forte was the focal point of the offense, but was spelled throughout the season by Jeremy Langford and Ka'Deem Carey - their performance was strong enough to warrant releasing Forte in the off-season. Defensively, the defense was stellar against the pass which bodes well in a division that features gunslingers like Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford. The Bears played a lot of close games, but came up the wrong side more often than not.
Outlook
Strength of Schedule: 0.461 (T-30th)
The offense is a huge question mark heading into the season after releasing RB Matt Forte and TE Martellus Bennett. Cutler had a career year under OC Adam Gase, but he took a head coaching gig in Miami. Defensively, the Bears were average but lacked an identity - the front seven was addressed in free agency and the draft and should be vastly improve. The Bears were playing 0.500 football until late November, but crashed in December. Somehow, they managed to go 1-7 at home and 5-3 on the road.
Cutler remains an enigma and the success of this team hinges on his confidence.
?Predicted Record: 5-11
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