Very few people, even in Southern California, thought the Los Angeles Rams would make the playoffs when the 2023 season began.
In early November, they were 3-6 and seemingly headed nowhere fast.
But L.A. wrapped up their schedule with a four-game winning streak and seven wins in their last eight contests, which has put them into the playoffs as the sixth seed in the NFC with a 10-7 record.
Several of their young stars have made this possible, including rookie defensive lineman Kobie Turner, who tied Aaron Donald’s franchise record with 9.0 sacks in his first NFL season.
Who lead all NFL rookies in sacks this season? @TurnerKobie. pic.twitter.com/oqNYc7277l
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 9, 2024
Turner was a third-round draft pick by the Rams after starting his college career as a walk-on at the University of Richmond.
He started off this season somewhat slowly, but he started to attract attention when he recorded 2.5 sacks in the penultimate game of the season, which was a 26-25 win over the New York Giants.
The Rams have to be considered a dangerous team, not just because of Turner, but also because of rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua, who has had an incredible year.
He put up 1,486 yards and six touchdowns on 105 catches, earning him a spot in the Pro Bowl and giving him the record for most receiving yards by a rookie wideout.
In addition, veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has been playing well of late, and he threw 15 touchdown passes in his last six games.
Los Angeles will head east to take on the Detroit Lions, Stafford’s former team, in the Wild Card round on Sunday afternoon.
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