Los Angeles Rams: Staff predictions vs. Carolina Panthers

The Los Angeles Rams open the season on the road against a Carolina Panthers’ team that is hard to read heading into the year.

Seven months after dropping Super Bowl LIII to the New England Patriots, the Los Angeles Rams are back in action, as is the rest of the NFL, and will start the season with a road game against the Panthers.

The Panthers are one of the harder teams to read in the NFL. When Cam Newton is at his best, the Panthers’ offense can be truly special, especially with Christian McCaffrey in the backfield. However, after two shoulder surgeries, nobody really knows what to expect out of Cam.

This first game will be telling of who the Panthers are this year. Even if they lose, keeping up toe-to-toe with the Rams is a good sign. If they get blown out, well, it obviously is a bad sign.

Here are the LA Sports Hub staff predictions for the Rams opening game.

Ahmad Akkaoui: 35-14, Los Angeles Rams

It’s hard for me to go against a team that is coming off of a Super Bowl loss. They had a good season, a good playoff run, then disappeared in the biggest game of their season. Goff is learning, McVay is rethinking his strategy, Gurley is healthy, and Cooper Kupp is back.

The Panthers, on the other hand, have question marks next to Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey. Their defense can’t be counted out, but I don’t believe there are enough pieces to stop the Rams’ offense in this game.

Jamaal Artis: 27-17, Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams could not have asked for a more difficult test than an opening game on the road at the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are looking to regroup after a 7-9 season where they struggled due to injuries.

If the Rams are going to show the NFL that they are once again a Super Bowl contender then they will have to make a statement in their first game. One advantage the Rams have is that it seems Panthers quarterback Cam Newton may not be 100 percent for the game.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff will have to attack the Panthers mediocre pass defense that ranked 26th in net yards per attempt, to have a chance to win. It will be a thought test but the Rams will be up to it.

Hil Lopez: 31-24, Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams open up the season on the road against the Carolina Panthers. Coming off a Super Bowl loss in their last game, the Rams will be highly motivated to come back and attack the Panthers defense relentlessly with a full dose of Todd Gurley and their trio of wide receivers.

On the other hand, Cam Newton is coming back off an injury from the preseason. He may not be 100%, but will still look to lead the Panthers offense along with sensational dual-threat running back Christian McCaffrey.

Redan Lopez: 35-25, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams come into this game healthy and loaded. Rams’ Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp is back after tearing his ACL late last season and remains the ultimate compliment to Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks. Todd Gurley will not be limited by a snap count, making the Rams even more lethal on offense.

I don’t trust any of the Panthers weapons except running back Christian McCaffery. He’s a beast as a pass catcher and can slash through opposing defenses. Carolina Quarterback Cam Newton is hard to believe in on a weekly basis – we don’t know if “good” or “bad” Cam is going to show up.

Receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel will inevitably be tied to an inconsistent Cam Newton, capping their effectiveness and limiting their upside. While the Panthers will try to control the clock through McCaffery and Newton running the ball, it won’t be enough.

The Rams are just too talented on offense, despite several of their starters not taking a snap during the entire preseason. Rams’ Quarterback Jared Goff will shake off some rust in the first quarter, but we will see him show why he is worthy of the four-year extension he just signed a few days ago.

Jason Reed: 31-14, Los Angeles Rams

I am not a big fan of when we all agree (because that is no fun), but it is hard to go against the Rams in this game. While there certainly is upset potential with the Panthers being the east-coast home team, I don’t think it will matter much.

The one area I do differ from my colleagues is how close I think this game will be. Everyone else has the game within 10 points, I think this will be an easy, thorough win for the Rams.

Two touchdowns from McCaffrey (since he is on my fantasy team) will get the Panthers on the board but not even close to matching the Rams’ 31 points.

Jon Soden: 34-24, Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams will open the season up Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Jared Goff just got paid, Todd Gurley is said to be healthy, and Aaron Donald is still the most dominant player in football. And on the other side, Cam Newton will be playing hurt, who often determines the success of the Panthers.

With so much time to prepare for one of the best coaches in football in Sean McVay, look for the Rams to dissect the Panthers, especially on the offensive end of the field.