Rams' Super Bowl Odds Drop After Overtime Loss to Bills

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Buffalo’s Overtime Win Exposes Growing Concerns for the Rams

Buffalo earned an overtime victory in a game that featured little defense from two teams viewed as Super Bowl contenders. The result intensified questions about the Rams, particularly their ongoing special teams problems and revamped defense.

The Rams entered the season needing to fix their defense, making a splash by adding Miles Garrett and bringing in Aaron Gordon. Despite those moves, the defense allowed the only two players capable of beating them to do exactly that. The problems in the back end that hurt the Rams against Seattle last year appeared again in the overtime loss.

Special teams also remain an issue. After struggling in that area during the previous two seasons, the Rams still have not found a solution. They fired kicker Harrison Mavis following the loss, but the concerns extend beyond one player.

At 2-3, the Rams’ flaws appear to be growing. They were fortunate to escape their earlier game against Philadelphia, and they no longer look like the NFL’s best team or a clear Super Bowl favorite.

Craig remained unconcerned about their playoff chances. He expects the Rams’ talent to carry them into the postseason, where they could win one or more games. However, reaching the Super Bowl could become much more difficult if they have to play the NFC Championship Game on the road.

The broader NFC picture remains unsettled. The NFC East does not appear to have a strong team, while Carolina currently looks like the best team in the South. The conference’s strongest teams may be in the West, with the Forty-Niners playing in a class by themselves so far.

Green Bay, Chicago, Minnesota, Seattle, Detroit, Dallas and Philadelphia all inspire varying levels of doubt. Chicago could still emerge as one of the NFC’s best teams by the end of the season, but it has not shown that yet. Carolina may currently be more trustworthy than several teams listed above it.

If the Super Bowl were played tomorrow, the Rams would not be the pick. With the season only in mid-October, however, they have not played their way out of contention and are still projected to make the playoffs.