The Los Angeles Rams head into 2025 looking to defend their NFC West title. The Rams took back the division crown in 2024 after winning a strength of victory tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks, who also finished 10-7.

This year, the Rams upgraded their offense with the addition of Davante Adams and added to their defense with interior run-stopper Poona Ford. But that might not be enough to maintain the division crowd.

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USA Today’s Nate Davis thinks the Rams have the highest likelihood to drop from first to fourth in the NFC West. The reasons are simple: The Rams still have a flawed defense, ambiguity around starting tackle Alaric Jackson’s availability as he continues to deal with blood clots and the hyper-competitive field between the Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.

“There may not be a team in 2025 that seems to legitimately have the potential to win the Super Bowl … or pick in the top five of the 2026 draft — though LA might even do both given GM Les Snead obtained Atlanta’s Round 1 choice next year,” Davis wrote. “Still, good as they are, the Rams will be quite dependent on aging veterans like Stafford, Adams, RT Rob Havenstein (33) and TE Tyler Higbee (32), among others. And with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks seemingly on the rise and archrival 49ers positioned for a resurgence, the ingredients are there for a would-be Hollywood blockbuster to bomb.”

This is a division that’s always hard to gauge. It often comes down to which team is the least injured. Last year, it looked like the Rams would bottom out early after injuries to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to open the year. But once they returned, the Rams surged while the rest of the division continue to flounder under other injuries.

With a fresh season upon them, it will be difficult to know who will rise or fall. The 49ers are a bit revamped but appear healthy, the Seahawks have a new offensive system with a new quarterback and the Cardinals continue to develop.

The Rams are great on paper but, as Davis notes, a lot of that hinges on aging stars.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL season: Rams named most likely division winner to finish last