The Los Angeles Rams opened their 2026 season with a rough 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. While one game can feel deflating, this defeat continues a pattern for the Rams, who have now incurred at least one loss in their first three games for five consecutive seasons. The last time the team started a season 3-0, they went on to win the Super Bowl.
This recurring slow start is often linked to the team consistently falling short of the number one playoff seed. Over the past three seasons, the Rams have made the playoffs but as the 4th, 5th, and 6th seeds. This trend is considered a significant factor in why Los Angeles has not reached the Super Bowl since 2021, despite having key players like Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua.
One philosophy under scrutiny is head coach Sean McVay's approach to preseason play. Since 2018, McVay has consistently sat starters and other key players during preseason games. This strategy has raised questions about whether it contributes to the team appearing "flat" and unprepared in the early weeks of the regular season.
In contrast, the 49ers, despite also limiting starter reps, appear less fearful of preseason injuries. Players like Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, and others were active at various points in their preseason. Purdy, for instance, looked more prepared in Week 1 than Matthew Stafford, who also typically sits out at least half of training camp and offseason practices. Retired quarterback Tom Brady recently offered a different perspective, stating, "Practice makes perfect," and suggesting that in football season, a player's job is to play football.
The Rams' draft strategy also draws attention. The team traded out of the 2025 first round to gain an additional first-round pick in 2026, which was partially used to draft Ty Simpson—a player not expected to contribute immediately. This decision meant foregoing potential immediate impact players like safety Malaki Starks, tackle Josh Conerly, or linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who could have been a reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year in their second season. While General Manager Les Snead had an "historic draft class in 2023," the team is noted for relying heavily on players originally drafted by other teams, such as Stafford, Myles Garrett, Davante Adams, and Nate Landman, indicating a missed opportunity for rookie value in recent drafts.
The 2025 draft class for the Rams saw many players traded, released, or making minimal impact. For example, Terrance Ferguson had zero catches on one target, and Konata Mumpfield also had zero catches on one target. In contrast, several 49ers' 2025 draft picks, despite some injuries, were contributing in their Week 1 game against the Rams, including Romello Height and Kaelon Black, who had 70 total yards. The Rams' 2026 rookie class, meanwhile, was entirely unavailable for their opening game.
Finally, special teams continue to be a persistent concern. The Rams frequently hire new special teams coordinators—Bubba Ventrone is the latest—but the issues seem to endure beyond individual coaches. In the recent Week 1 game, a 45-yard kickoff return by Deebo Samuel led directly to the 49ers extending their lead. The Rams' own kick returner, Jordan Whittington, was described as "not dynamic" and "forgettable." This mirrors costly special teams plays from the previous season, including a punt return touchdown and a muffed punt in critical games against the Seahawks. With consistent problems in this area, the question remains whether the team will prioritize addressing these foundational issues to avoid another slow start in future seasons.
