NFL offseason power rankings: No. 12 Los Angeles Rams completely turned things around last season

The Los Angeles Rams nearly upset the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional playoff round last season, trailing by only six points and possessing the ball at the 13-yard line in the final two minutes. This position was remarkable given their disastrous 1-4 start earlier in the season, which led to trade rumors involving key players like Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford, making a playoff run seem implausible at the time.

However, the Rams underwent a dramatic transformation over the final three months. Their young defense improved significantly after a rough beginning, and the offense surged as Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp returned from early injuries. A series of close wins built confidence, aided by the San Francisco 49ers' collapse. The team won their division, defeated the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round at a neutral site (due to Southern California fires), and provided the Eagles with their only serious postseason challenge.

Head coach Sean McVay was widely credited for orchestrating this impressive turnaround from a 1-4 start to the second playoff round. Reflecting on the season, McVay expressed gratitude and fulfillment in the difficult journey, while acknowledging the disappointment of falling just short of hosting the NFC Championship Game after such an improbable resurgence.