Two seasons ago, the Los Angeles Rams were Super Bowl champions. They struggled last season due mostly to injuries to players on both sides of the ball. This year, they’ve started this NFL campaign with a 3-3 record, coincidentally the same record they had a year ago.
A seven-game losing streak followed last season, ending any hope of a repeat title. Now, there’s some optimism brewing at SoFi Stadium, especially as the three losses – all by less than 10 points – have come to teams expected to be Super Bowl contenders. However, Can Sean McVay’s squad return to the playoffs for the fifth time since returning to Hollywood in 2017? What are the Rams playoff chances after a .500 start through six games?
Season Results of 3-3 NFL Teams
Below you'll find some useful information regarding how 3-3 teams fare at the end of the season. This would be useful to those participating in California sportsbook apps if they were legal.
Using ChampsorChumps.us, BetCalifornia.com looked at how teams ended up the rest of the NFL season after starting with a 3-3 record since the 2012-13 NFL season. There have been 83 teams that have started 3-3 in the last 10 seasons.
The 24 teams making the playoffs include six – 25% of them – doing so just last season. In fact, both the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers advanced to their conference’s championship game before falling just short of reaching the Super Bowl. Not the best sign for the Rams Super Bowl odds going forward this season.
Los Angeles hopes to win two in a row for the first time this season as the Rams host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. After that, they have road games against the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers before their Nov. 12 bye. Going at least 2-1 over these next three weeks would certainly help their postseason chances.
Rams Star WR Returns In A Big Way
One factor bolstering the Rams’ chances has been the return of standout wide receiver Cooper Kupp. The 2021 AP Offensive Player of the Year missed the season’s first month after suffering a hamstring injury in preseason camp. In his two games back, he’s already caught 15 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown. With Kupp back, quarterback Matthew Stafford now has a slew of weapons for his air attack, including surprising rookie star Puka Nacua, who has 50 catches for 598 yards and two scores through his first six games.
While an NFC West title is likely out of the picture thanks to the San Francisco 49ers' 5-1 start, oddsmakers at DraftKings aren’t completely writing off the Rams playoff chances. Their odds of making the playoffs are +115, which equals an implied probability of 46.5%. The Rams’ odds of missing the postseason are -140.
California Sports betting is not yet legal, but keep visiting BetCalifornia.com for the latest news and analysis on your favorite teams and news regarding the push to allow online wagering across the Golden State.
