Detroit Lions 2016 Opponent Preview: Los Angeles Rams
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions get a chance to stay at home for more than a week for the first time of the 2016 season when the Los Angeles Rams visit in week six.
The Los Angeles Rams come to Ford Field in week six for the middle game of a three-game homestand for the Detroit Lions. How they perform in those three games should have a big impact on how the season turns out.
It is either an opportunity to bounce back if they start poorly with three of their first four games on the road or cement themselves as playoff contenders if those first four games go better than expected.
To check up on the Rams, I got together with Ramblin’ Fan’s Dan Parzych. My questions followed by his answers are below.
1. How would you assess the Rams’ offseason? Did they do what they needed to do through the draft and free agency?
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In my mind, the Los Angeles Rams finally got the quarterback to build their franchise around in Jared Goff with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft–so that alone makes this offseason a success. The Nick Foles experiment was obviously a huge fail and now the team can focus on building the offense around Goff.
2. Which rookie are you most excited to see play in 2016 and why?
Obviously, the main hype will be around Goff if he plays, but I’m excited to see what’s in store for fourth-round pick Tyler Higbee. It’s always good to have an effective pass-catching tight end on the team and after finding the end zone eight times during his final season at Western Kentucky, Higbee seems like the type of rookie who may surprise a lot of people early on if he can get the playing time.
3. What is the biggest question that still needs to be answered heading into training camp?
All eyes will be on whether or not this will finally be the big breakout season for Tavon Austin at wide receiver. Austin showed plenty of flash year as a wideout and returner, but the problem has always been staying consistent with the big plays as he’s failed to even reach 500+ receiving yards in his first three seasons with the Rams.
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4. What are your expectations for the Rams in 2016?
It’s always going to be tough to reach the playoffs when playing in the NFC West with teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, but this team proved last year they have what it takes to make some noise in the division. I strongly believe the defense is going to carry this team again in 2016, but I predict an 8-8 finish with all of the questions still surrounding the offense.
5. Right here, right now, are you marking down the game against the Lions as a win, loss or toss-up for the Rams?
My heart tells me win, but I’m going to go with toss up at this point in the offseason. Just like the Rams, I feel like the Lions have a lot to prove on offense now that Calvin Johnson is retired–even though Detroit’s offense seems to be in much better shape than Los Angeles heading into the season.
Next: Checking in on the Philadelphia Eagles
For more on the Los Angeles Rams, check out Ramblin’ Fan.