The Rams had been viewed as one of the weaker teams in the NFL in the first half of the season, but they’ve now won three straight and gotten back to .500. While some still don’t see them as legitimate contenders, there are analysts out there who have put the Rams as high as No. 10 in their power rankings.
We rounded up all the latest lists following Week 13’s results and the Rams mostly rank in the top 15, though one outlet still has them as low as No. 18 despite beating the Browns on Sunday.
Touchdown Wire: No. 13
The Rams made a significant move up in Touchdown Wire’s rankings, going from 19th to 13th thanks to their third straight win. A victory over the Ravens on Sunday would likely push the Rams into the top 10.
Last Week: 19
Sunday was a reminder that when Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua are all clicking, this is one of the most fun offenses in the NFL.
USA TODAY: No. 11
After ranking 12th last week, the Rams inched closer to the top 10 by beating the Browns and moving up to No. 11 in USA TODAY’s poll.
11. Rams (12): The franchise’s first 1,000-yard rookie receiver, Puka Nacua, is also only the sixth in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to crack that mark in his first 12 NFL games.
ESPN: No. 14
The Rams cracked the top 15 in ESPN’s rankings, moving up two spots after being No. 16 last week.
Not many could have predicted that the Rams’ fifth-round pick would lead the team in receiving in Week 13, even with Cooper Kupp missing time because of a hamstring injury. Nacua has impressed the Rams’ coaching staff and his teammates with his physical play and maturity. The rookie now has 77 catches for 1,029 yards this season, which is the franchise record for receiving yards in a rookie season. His yardage total is also the fourth most through a player’s first 12 games since the 1970 merger. The Rams didn’t come into the season with much depth at receiver, so Nacua’s emergence has been a welcome surprise. Nacua suffered an AC sprain Sunday, but the injury is not expected to affect his availability this upcoming week, according to coach Sean McVay. — Sarah Barshop
The Athletic: No. 10
The Rams made a massive jump in The Athletic’s rankings, going all the way from No. 19 to No. 10. The Browns were their best opponent in the last three weeks and beating them by 17 points sure was a statement.
There’s a decent chance the Rams will head into Week 18 having to beat the division-rival 49ers to get into the playoffs. The Rams sit as the NFC’s seventh seed. San Francisco will have a playoff spot locked up by then and will be tempted to rest its stars unless it has a first-round bye on the line. That got closer to reality when the Niners beat the Eagles on Sunday. Why is this such bad news? The Rams have lost nine of their last 10 to the 49ers.
CBS Sports: No. 14
The youth on the Rams’ roster has them moving up in CBS Sports’ rankings, going from 17th to 14th this week after beating the Browns.
The Rams are alive and well in the playoff chase. The young players on defense are growing by the week.
The Ringer: No. 13
The Rams’ rise continues in The Ringer’s poll, moving up from 23rd to 21st to 18th to 17th and now 13th, their highest ranking since Week 3 when they were also slotted in at No. 13.
The Rams are now .500 and control their own destiny as a playoff team, and if the offensive core of quarterback Matthew Stafford and receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp stays healthy, they'll wind up being a team that even the higher seeds can't overlook in January. The coaching job Sean McVay did against Jim Schwartz's Cleveland defense on Sunday was masterful, and the job McVay has done developing this overachieving Rams group this season shouldn't be overlooked. -Nora Princiotti
Bleacher Report: No. 15
It was a four-spot jump for the Rams in Bleacher Report’s power rankings, going from 19th to 15th.
Entering the 2023 season, most expected this to be a rebuilding season in Los Angeles. The Rams were getting younger. Shedding big salaries. Looking to the future.
There was just one problem with this long-term plan-someone forgot to tell the Rams. And after handling the Browns for their third straight win, the Rams are suddenly a .500 team in the postseason mix.
ProFootballTalk: No. 13
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk points out the possibility of the Rams heading to Detroit in the wild card round for a matchup with Matthew Stafford’s former team. Florio moved the Rams up from No. 17 to 13 this week.
The Lions don't want the Rams to roll into Ford Field in January.
Pro Football Network: No. 18
By far the lowest position for the Rams in any power ranking on this list, Pro Football Network put Los Angeles at No. 18, only moving them up two spots from No. 20 to 18.
The Rams are a tough team to gauge. They are young and inconsistent, but they have the offensive firepower to produce some truly impressive offensive performances, even against a defense like Cleveland's.
