The Los Angeles Rams were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention after their loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night, tying the NFL record for the earliest the defending champion has been eliminated.
On Monday Night Football, four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to a 24-12 victory at SoFi Stadium with the quarterback throwing for 229 yards as well as a touchdown and an interception. Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield - who sensationally secured a win for Los Angeles just days after signing with the franchise - struggled behind a porous offensive line as he only threw for 111 yards.
The result condemns the Rams to a historically negative development just 11 months after head coach Sean McVay hoisted the Lombardi Trophy following the epic Super Bowl LVI win over the Cincinnati Bengals back in February. It was the franchise’s second championship win its history.
The Rams still have three games to play in a forgettable 2022 season, which means they have tied the 1999 Denver Broncos for the earliest stage the defending champion has been eliminated in NFL history. They have become the first defending Super Bowl champions to miss the playoffs entirely since the 2016 Broncos, who won Super Bowl 50.
Super Bowl LVI was hosted at the Rams’ SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and the triumph marked a historic moment for the franchise after their move to the west coast from St. Louis. The Rams overcame adversity to defeat the Bengals 23-20 - but have since seen their 2022 championship hopes unravel.
The current campaign has been marred by injury, with quarterback Matthew Stafford, star wide receiver Cooper Kupp and legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald all missing significant time due to respective physical troubles. The offensive line was banged up from the offseason, while the absence of retired tackle Andrew Whitworth was certainly felt.
As well as this, two key players who proved crucial to their championship win left the Rams in the offseason. Outside linebacker Von Miller signed a lucrative deal with the Buffalo Bills before tearing his ACL last month, while wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr opted not to sign a contract extension after suffering the knee injury himself during the Super Bowl.
Beckham was reportedly interested in returning to Los Angeles but felt the franchise severely undervalued his services during negotiations. The 30-year-old remains unsigned after visits with the Bills, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, although he appears likely to sign with the Cowboys and return to action in the postseason.
With a dismal 4-10 record, the Rams sit bottom of the NFC West ahead of meaningless games to close out the season against the Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks. On top of all of this, the Rams are without their 2023 first round pick due to the trade with the Detroit Lions that brought Matthew Stafford to LA and sent Jared Goff to Motor City.
The Rams welcome the 4-10 Broncos to SoFi Stadium as part of the NFL’s Christmas Day slate on Sunday.
