To say that the Rams’ second year back in Los Angeles is a success would be the understatement of the year.
Boasting an 8-3 record heading to Phoenix, Arizona, to play the Cardinals on Sunday, the Jared Goff-led team proudly stands atop of the NFC West — even ahead of the perennial Seattle Seahawks.
Their outlook couldn’t be more different to this time last year under veteran coach Jeff Fisher, who was fired on Dec. 12 following a 42-14 blowout by the Atlanta Falcons.
But with a new young, dynamic coach in the form of 31-year-old Sean McVay, and running back Todd Gurley Jr. playing like the top Fantasy Football draft pick that many (including myself) hoped he’d be last year, the Rams aren’t just meeting fans’ expectations this season — they’re blowing them away.
Last week’s statement 26-20 win over Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints cemented what has been a meteoric season so far for the Rams, and Vegas odds currently has them as seven point favorites over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
“I am not going say it was easy, we just got the right looks and right situations. We connected more,” wide receiver Sammy Watkins (picturedbelow) said in the Rams’ locker room after the victory over the Saints. “We were so focused on being on spot and doing the right things.”
As for having a winning record for the first time in over a decade, “Being 8 and 3 — that’s the best feeling ever,” Watkins said. “Being on a winning team in general makes it easier for everyone to go out there and work hard.
“You know you have a confident feeling coming into the game and you’re gonna win this game. It makes everybody’s job easier,” he added.
And just like L.A.’s No. 1 team should, they’re attracting a heap of Hollywood stars to the home games.
Brian McKnight, Jimmy Tatro, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Dillon, Jake Busey, Gary Busey, Master P, Omar Benson Miller and James Van Der Beek are among the celebrities recently spotted cheering on the blue and gold at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which is currently the oldest stadium in the NFL.
A post shared by Kevin Dillon (@kevindillonofficial) on
The Coliseum is also the largest — with a capacity of 93,607 — a fact that is often overlooked when critics point out the empty seats during home games. In contrast, the Los Angeles Chargers temporary home at the StubHub Center has a capacity of 27,000, and the University of Phoenix Stadium where the Rams and Cardinals play on Sunday only fits 63,400. Yep, that’s why the Coliseum is hard to sell out!
Before they take on the Cardinals, the Rams — like many other teams in the NFL — will take part in the “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign to support their favorite non-profit organization, wearing personalized cleats for pregame warm-ups (as long as they’re not offensive or express any political views, per NFL rules).
This week, approximately 1,000 players are planning to showcase their causes on-field during Week 13 games, nearly double the player participation from the inaugural year of the campaign. Athletes are backing worthy causes such as raising awareness for those battling diseases, getting clean water to Third World countries, domestic violence support and animal rights groups, cancer research and the Wounded Warriors.
Rams’ favorite causes include: Aaron Donald and Make-A-Wish, Gurley and Shriner’s Hospital, Goff and Sarcoma Foundation of America, and Tyler Higbee and the Special Olympics.
See Goff’s cool shoes for a good cause below.
Jared Goff's "My Cleats, My Cause" are in support of the Sarcoma Foundation of America, which raises money for sarcoma research and conducts education and advocacy efforts for sarcoma patients. pic.twitter.com/GfvcWUrmTk
The Rams-Cardinals game kicks off at 1:25 p.m. PT on Fox this Sunday.
15 Coolest Things About the Upcoming LA Rams and Chargers Stadium (Photos)
Football is finally back in Los Angeles, with the Rams and Chargers set to ensure that their upcoming $2.6 billion stadium has all the Hollywood glamour and VIP amenities that you'd expect for A-list clientele along, with the football necessities for die-hard NFL fans. TheWrap recently got a sneak peek at the L.A. Stadium and Entertainment District -- check out the coolest aspects.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
The 70,000-seat open air stadium is expandable up to 100,000 seats -- and aside to hosting regular season NFL games -- it's also destined to be home to the 2028 Olympics, future Super Bowls, college football national championship games, the NCAA Final Four, X Games and a multitude of other sporting events. It is set to open in 2020, with the Rams playing at the L.A. Coliseum and the Chargers at StubHub Center in the meantime.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
Fully funded by the real-estate fortune of Rams owner Stan Kroenke, the two L.A. teams (one of which is NFC and the other AFC) will split their time at the new stadium with 10 home games for each team per regular season (not accounting for playoffs or potential Super Bowls). Currently, all aspects of the entertainment district's model center in Playa Vista pays equal homage to both teams.
Hiro Ueno
While its Compton neighbor is more famous, Inglewood is steeped also in history -- all of which will be celebrated at its latest addition. Renowned for the former Hollywood Park Racetrack, it is also home to the Forum, where both the L.A. Lakers and Kings played from 1967-99.
Debbie Emery
Reminiscent of the waves pounding the nearby beaches, the stadium roof curves in a perfect wave of transparent ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) covering the playing field, seating bowl, Champions Plaza and performance venue.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
While it doesn't rain often in L.A., when that mysterious wet stuff falls from the sky it often does so with a vengeance. That's why the sail-shaped roof will be strong but clear to allow in natural light but ward off bad weather. The design is also open on the sides to allow breezes to flow through the building.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
The two 160 by 72 feet video screens at Cowboys' AT&T stadium have been vowing fans since 2009, but they ain't seen nothing yet. The L.A. stadium will boast an oval shaped, dual-sided Oculus video board with over 60,000 linear feet of digital display -- so there literally won't be a bad seat in the house.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
With a site that's 3½ times the size of Disneyland, there's plenty of room for retail space, restaurants, a 6,000-seat performance venue attached to the stadium aiming to attract the music industry's biggest talents, a five-star hotel, residential apartments -- and even a lake.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
Whether it's fantasy football fanatics wanting to follow every game stat, or corporations showcasing their company message, the 52-screens throughout the stadium mean that not a single play or deal will be missed.
Hiro Ueno
While they'll be plenty of personalized options for the suite experiences, guests can expect gourmet food, high-end drinks (including wines from Kroenke's vineyard, but probably not the 1992 Screaming Eagle, which goes for $7,000 ... a bottle) and a bird's eye view of the field. Most suites will also have private bathrooms, to maintain the privacy of A-list guests, plus VIP parking options.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
The entry to the club area will have a more open plan layout, so fans can mingle, meet up, and freak out if a game is coming down to the wire.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
The entire stadium is built indented into the ground so that it doesn't interfere with the flight path at LAX (which is three miles away) or interrupt the horizon. A secondary radar system will also be installed at LAX to eliminate the risk of any impact on air traffic. That proximity to the airport will make it easy to pop in for games -- whether flying coach or on a corporate jet.
LA Stadium Entertainment District
You can't be in L.A. and not have a patio, so there'll be plenty of outdoor areas aside from on the field to enjoy the California sun all-year round (this is anti-thesis of "football weather" experienced by most cities).
LA Stadium Entertainment District
While the opening of the stadium is still three years away, the L.A. Stadium Premiere Center in nearby Playa Vista shows potential season ticket or suite buyers exactly what to expect through an Emmy-worthy introduction video, a 30 by 40 foot model replica, and digital displays. You sign a deal right there -- and then celebrate at the in-house bar.
Jeff Lewis
Visitors at the Premiere Center can test-drive the luxury suites, pick their must-have amenities -- and even try out the leather seats for size.
Hiro Ueno
The sleek design of the Premiere Center mirrors that of the eventual stadium, while the integrated technology allows the space to evolve as new elements are developed.
Hiro Ueno
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Are you ready for a lot of football, Los Angeles?
Football is finally back in Los Angeles, with the Rams and Chargers set to ensure that their upcoming $2.6 billion stadium has all the Hollywood glamour and VIP amenities that you'd expect for A-list clientele along, with the football necessities for die-hard NFL fans. TheWrap recently got a sneak peek at the L.A. Stadium and Entertainment District -- check out the coolest aspects.