2024 Los Angeles Rams Season Preview & Odds: Will Stafford and McVay Defy the Odds?

The Los Angeles Rams enter an era of change in 2024. The retirement of all-time great Aaron Donald has left mainstays Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp to steer them through this new chapter.

As Los Angeles looks to navigate an NFC landscape that has only grown stronger, the Rams betting 2024 NFL betting odds tell the story of a team that could surprise or falter under pressure.

2024 Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl & NFC Odds

Odds as of September 2

Los Angeles appear to be longshots for both the Super Bowl and NFC Championship this season, as their ability to compete at the highest level without stars like Aaron Donald comes into question. At +330 to win the NFC West, sportsbooks see the Rams as a middle-of-the-pack team in a competitive division.

Be that as it may, there may be some value here for those that still believe in the ingenious play-calling of McVay and the still-potent arm of Stafford. Should Stafford stay healthy (a big question mark), and Kupp return to form after an injury plagued 2023, the Rams could easily outperform these odds. However, I can't back the Rams in any of these season long markets. Their starting five weeks are tough with dates against the Lions, Cardinals, 49ers, Bears and Packers. Los Angeles also has matchups with the high-powered Dolphins, Eagles, Bills, and Jets. As much as I like McVay, I'm out on the Rams in these markets.

2024 Los Angeles Rams Win Total Odds

Odds as of September 2

I like the idea of backing the Rams as underdogs in many of their games against contenders as they finished 5-3-1 ATS as underdogs last season, and 4-2-1 as road dogs.

That being said, the Rams are at a crossroads. Los Angeles strangely chose to trade stalwart linebacker Ernest Jones after he demanded an expensive extension. Perhaps this is General Manager Les Snead admitting his team is far from contending and thus not paying an off-ball linebacker.

While they have a ton of promising young players in their front seven, the Rams are far less talented without Aaron Donald. There's simply no replacing a player of that calibre. Donald often ate up double and triple teams, allowing other defenders to attack the quarterback.

I'm a big fan of the Rams offensive line, but this could be the classic case of a middle of the pack NFL team, which makes them extremely tough to handicap. With the OVER 8.5 wins so heavily juiced, fading the Rams at UNDER 8.5 wins is the only play to make.

2024 Los Angeles Rams Playoff Odds

Odds as of September 2

The Rams are a prototypical "bubble" team this season, and their playoff odds reflect that. On the one hand, the outstanding playcalling of Sean McVay and talents of Matthew Stafford point to them making the postseason yet again. On the other, the Rams have lost an enormous amount of talent over the past two off-seasons, and their lack of experience in key areas could lead to further growing pains.

For me, the play is to wait and see how that first month of the season plays out. You're very likely to find more value in backing Los Angeles across the second half of the season after their brutal start.

2024 Los Angeles Rams NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds

Odds as of September 2

I bet on Jared Verse to win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award earlier this summer at +1000 odds. Since then, his preseason performances have seen his odds drop to +700.

Jared Verse is going to be really really good.

pic.twitter.com/ne6nswdbUM

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 9, 2024

This race is wide open, and while Laiatu Latu and Dallas Turner were both drafted slightly higher, Verse has just as much room to shine this season. He's a classic power rusher with violent hands and the athleticism to beat offensive tackles in a variety of ways. Verse has the ability to rack up game-changing plays and have a significant impact on the Rams season. I love his value at +700 to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.