Rams Already Eyeing 'Must-Win' Game?

The Los Angeles Rams' football season is still well over two months away, but is there already a 'must-win' game on the schedule?

The Los Angeles Rams limped to a dismal 5-12 record in 2022 to claim one of the worst Super Bowl follow-up seasons in NFL history. But that's all in the past.

A successful 2023 starts with dominating their "must-win" games.

Wait, doesn't it seem like labeling games as 'must-wins' in late June jumps the gun a bit? Maybe so, but SBNation has pinpointed a December matchup in week 15 with the Washington Commanders as a pivotal contest on the Rams' docket.

"Unless Washington gets off to a good start and is much better than people expect, the Commanders might have gone into the tank by December so it’s a game L.A. must win if they haven’t gone into the tank themselves," the outlet writes.

And therein lies the logic. This all makes sense. Both the Rams and Commanders have been tabbed as teams that could consider tanking by the end of 2023.

If that's the case, this game becomes a must-lose to salvage a decent draft position. But in the event the Rams have made it to December with playoff hopes alive, the Commanders may be floundering due the NFC East gauntlet.

"The Commanders have even more work to do than most basement teams in order to reach the postseason. So by Week 15, it could be offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy or veteran Jack Del Rio leading the team with an interim tag," SBNation concluded.

Washington also boasts one of the more lackluster quarterback rooms in the league. Sam Howell isn't striking fear into anyone's eyes and Jacoby Brissett hasn't been consistent in years.

If the Rams can make it to week 15 without tanking, the Commanders pose a soft threat and a favorable matchup in the home stretch. 

---

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rams? Click Here

Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Ram Digest message board community today!

Follow Ram Digest on Twitter and Facebook.

Want even more L.A. Rams news? Check out the SI.com team page here.