Rams need Jared Goff to improve for a Super Bowl win

The Los Angeles Rams need more from Jared Goff if they’re going to return to, and win the Super Bowl this season.

It’s tough to ask more from Goff, who has made massive strides over his first three years in the league. After struggling and not winning a game as a rookie in 2016, Goff threw for 3,804 yards in 2017 with 28 touchdowns. The jump in productivity got the Rams a surprising NFC West crown, and he only improved in 2018 with 4,688 passing yards and 32 touchdowns.

However, the improvement from the 24-year-old doesn’t need to come within the context of stats. It’s on film where Goff has to take his game to the proverbial next level.

Last season, the former No. 1 overall pick struggled when dealing with pressure. In a Sunday night game against the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles only managed a meager six points as Goff struggled to deal with the pass rush. He finished 20-of-44 for 180 yards with four interceptions. A week later, the Rams lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, another team able to flash in the pocket and move Goff off his spot.

In the Super Bowl, the New England Patriots ran a bevy of stunts and twists at him. The result was first-half ugliness followed by missing open receivers, such as Brandin Cooks running unchecked for what should have been a touchdown. Instead, Goff hesitated, and safety Devin McCourty broke the play up. Goff’s line ended up at 19-of-38 for 229 yards with an interception, producing only a single field goal.

For Los Angeles, Goff’s need for improvement is also exacerbated by the departures from the roster over the past few months. The Rams shocked many with the release of veteran center John Sullivan. Coupled with the loss of guard Rodger Saffold, Goff is going to likely have more pressure right up the middle in 2019. Defensively, the Rams also lost safety Lamarcus Joyner and defensive tackle Ndamukong Such in free agency — Suh remains on the market, although it appears he won’t be returning. Factor all that in, and head coach Sean McVay will need Goff and the star players around him to step up.

All told, Los Angeles is the deserved favorite in the NFC West. The Rams are loaded at wide receiver and running back, and the defense is dotted with stars in Marcus Peters, Aaron Donald, Aqib Talib and others.

However, Goff is the man shouldering the biggest load for a team with designs on the Lombardi Trophy.