After sweeping NFC East, Rams will be tested moving forward
It’s only Week 5, but the Los Angeles Rams have already swept the NFC East with four wins over the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and now the Washington Football Team.
They completed the four-game circuit on Sunday in Washington with a 30-10 win over Ron Rivera’s squad. It’s almost unheard of for a team to sweep a single division in just five weeks, but that’s the way the Rams’ schedule shaped up this season.
It’s hard not to be encouraged by the Rams’ 4-1 start, but there will certainly be bigger tests to come in the future. Yes, they looked good against the Bills and should’ve won that game if not for a controversial pass interference penalty, but there will be plenty of doubters who say the Rams have only beaten teams from the worst division in football – none of which are above .500.
The Rams can prove their mettle in Week 6 against the 49ers, their first divisional game of the season. San Francisco has questions of its own after benching Jimmy Garoppolo on Sunday afternoon, but there’s nothing easy about facing a division foe on the road.
After that, the Rams will host the Bears at home, travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins (who just crushed the 49ers), then take on the Buccaneers. Looking forward, the Dolphins and Jets are the easiest remaining opponents on L.A.’s schedule, but Miami certainly isn’t an easy out.
This isn’t meant to downplay the Rams’ 4-1 start. They crushed the Eagles and Washington like they should have, and their close victories against the Cowboys and Giants were still wins, nonetheless. Not to mention, the offense and defense should both rank in the top 10 of the NFL after this week.
This Rams team is legit and should make a strong push toward the postseason. But it won’t come easy. There will be plenty of hurdles along the way, beginning in Week 6 against the 49ers.
