Head coach Sean McVay and Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams leave the field after beating the Seattle Seahawks 26-20 (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams legend Marshall Faulk still believes the team has what it takes to go on a run and make it to the playoffs.
The Rams are coming off of a tough 37-20 loss to the 9-2 Philadelphia Eagles at SoFi Stadium. The loss dropped Los Angeles to 5-6. However, they remain just a game behind both the 6-5 Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals for the division lead in the NFC West. Further helping the Rams' case is their 2-1 record within the division with games remaining against both the Seahawks and Cardinals.
"Where they sit currently, they've proven that they can go on winning streaks and they just have to continue to stack more wins and learn through the losses," says Faulk in a one-on-one interview with RG. "For a young team, you go up against somebody like the Eagles and with all the talent that they have, you have to be prepared."
The Rams were able to get off to a hot start on their opening drive, driving all the way down to the Eagles' 16-yard line. However, running back Kyren Williams fumbled the ball, shifting momentum to Philadelphia. Although the Rams would eventually take a brief lead after scoring a touchdown on their ensuing drive, the lost opportunity for points ultimately cost Los Angeles.
"I tell you the truth – I believe if they drive down, they score on their first try, we don't have the Kyren Williams fumble, we have a different ball game. I really believe that. You just can't fall behind against a team like the Eagles."
When looking at the team stats, the Rams don't appear to be that much of a threat. They're ranked 20th on offense and 26th in defense. However, they've lost only two games all year long by more than one possession. In other words, they're competitive in essentially every game.
A lot of that has to do with veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and Super Bowl champion head coach Sean McVay being on the team. Furthermore, they're flanked by Pro Bowl receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua along with rookie defensive stalwarts in Jared Verse and Braden Fiske.
"We're young on defense, we have some talent, but we're young," says Faulk of the Rams. "They fought a good fight for three quarters, but when you're in a game like this, if you don't go for the kill early and put yourself in a position against a team like the Eagles – who were a lot of people's Super Bowl contenders at the beginning of the season – you just can't go out there and make mistakes."
Why Marshall Faulk Believes The Rams Can Be A Playoff Team
Once again, Faulk doubles down on the notion that the Rams have a "chance" of being a playoff team.
"Yes, they have a chance of being a playoff team," says Faulk when asked if Los Angeles is a playoff team this season. "Here's the difficult part about it and just full transparency, if you're not a Rams fan, you see a bunch of young players. You're like, 'No, they probably can't make the playoffs.' If you are a Rams fan, you see a bunch of young players and you're hoping that they can make the playoffs. It can go either way."
The Rams made it to the playoffs last season with a 10-7 record despite starting out the year 3-6. They won seven of their final eight games and went on a four-game winning streak to end the season.
Faulk says the current team could go on a similar run.
While Faulk isn't as optimistic when it pertains to how far they can advance in the playoffs, he does believe the 2024 Rams are a "playoff-caliber" team.
"How far they can go, it's a whole different story," says Faulk. "They have the DNA to be a playoff team."
Los Angeles Rams, Marshall Faulk Pay Tribute To Kenny Washington with '1946 Legacy Collection'
During the weekend of Los Angeles' Week 12 home game against the Eagles, Faulk not only reunited with his "Greatest Show on Turf" teammates for the 25th anniversary celebration of their Super Bowl-winning team, it was also a celebration of Rams legend Kenny Washington. The Los Angeles native and former UCLA running back was the first Black player to be signed by an NFL team in the modern era, helping re-integrate the league after a 12-year ban on Black players in the league.
The Rams collaborated with Mitchell and Ness to commemorate Washington's legacy with a six-piece collection named the "1946 Legacy Collection." Faulk went into detail about how big of an impact Washington had for African-American football players.
The Rams paid tribute to Washington and his legacy collection by having a special pop-up at SoFi Stadium last weekend. They also released a special campaign video featuring the greatest running backs in franchise history from different decades in Faulk, Eric Dickerson, Steven Jackson and Todd Gurley – running backs from four different generations.
"A lot of fun," Faulk says of his time spent with his three fellow running backs. "Just thankful for Mitchell and Ness and their partnership with the Rams to highlight Kenny Washington. It all afforded us opportunities to be together, speak up and talk about this and share our fun times in different eras of the league."
DJ Siddiqi
