Georgia Bulldogs

St. Louis Rams preview (No. 18): Will Foles and Gurley pick up the offense?

Published Aug. 10, 2015 11:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Our 2015 NFL preview series ranks every team, from worst to first. Today: the No. 18 Rams.

2014 record: 6-10

Head coach: Jeff Fisher (20-27-1)

Key arrivals: Nick Foles (quarterback), *Todd Gurley (running back), Kenny Britt (wide receiver), Nick Fairley (defensive tackle), Akeem Ayers (linebacker)

(*denotes rookie)

Key departures: Sam Bradford (quarterback), Jake Long (offensive tackle), Kendall Langford (defensive tackle)

2015 schedule (ET)

Sept. 13: Seattle, 1 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Washington, 1 p.m.

Sept. 27: Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Oct. 4: Arizona, 4:25 p.m.

Oct. 11: at Green Bay, 1 p.m.

Oct. 18: BYE

Oct. 25: Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Nov. 1: San Francisco, 1 p.m.

Nov. 8: at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Nov. 15: Chicago, 1 p.m.

Nov. 22: at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Nov. 29: at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Dec. 6: Arizona, 1 p.m.

Dec. 13: Detroit, 1 p.m.

Dec. 17: Tampa Bay, 8:25 p.m.

Dec. 27: at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.

Jan 3: at San Francisco, 4:25 p.m.

TRAINING CAMP QUESTION: How will Todd Gurley look against pro competition?

The Rams raised eyebrows when they used a first-round pick on the injured running back. He likely won’t be playing in the first few games of the season, but he should make an impact at some point. To protect its prized investment, St. Louis is trying to ready an offensive line that could have rookies at right guard (Jamon Brown) and right tackle (Rob Havenstein) as well as a new center (Barrett Jones) who has yet to start in his first two NFL seasons.

IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT

The Rams finally have the man they have sorely lacked under center in Nick Foles, who stays healthy and proves he can lead the Rams' offense. The backfield duo of rookie Gurley and Tre Mason give the Rams a power-run element to complement the pass. Tavon Austin blossoms into a threat in the passing game as a bonus to his special teams prowess, and he and Kenny Britt fortify the passing attack. The Rams prove they can hack it with the Seahawks, Cardinals and 49ers in the toughest division in football and emerge with a wild-card berth or a division title. The defensive line of Fairley, Aaron Donald, Chris Long, Michael Brockers and Robert Quinn terrorize opposing quarterbacks.

IF EVERYTHING GOES WRONG

Foles doesn't stay upright -- or worse, is just ineffective. The Rams have played very well the past few seasons, and the thought was that all they need is a quarterback to be on their way. If Foles ends up not being the guy, new backup Case Keenum may not provide much by way of pocket savvy. Gurley's ACL injury is also an issue -- and if he can't make it back on the field to provide an impact, Mason may not be the guy to carry the load. If the pass-rush is ineffective and can't help out a burgeoning secondary, the Rams will have a tough time trying to avoid the NFC West cellar for a third straight season.

BREAKOUT PLAYER: Cornerback E.J. Gaines

Based upon last season, a strong argument can be made that Janoris Jenkins is no longer the top cornerback on the Rams' roster. Gaines was a sixth-round steal out of Missouri in the 2014 draft who already is proving equally adroit in stopping both the pass and run.

CIRCLE THE DATE GAME: vs. Seattle in Week 1 (1 p.m. ET/Sept. 13):

A victory here over the two-time defending division champion would send the statement that the Rams are very much for real in the NFC West race.

ALEX MARVEZ'S PREDICTION: 8-8, third place

The defense is playoff-worthy. The offense? Let's wait and see. The questions start with whether the 2013 or 2014 version of Foles will be at quarterback. Last year, he took a big step back from his 27-touchown, two-interception brilliance with Philadelphia before landing on injured reserve with a fractured clavicle. Even if he regains his mojo, the talent surrounding Foles and a first-time coordinator in Frank Cignetti have much to prove if the Rams are to rank among the NFL's top 20 teams in either scoring or yardage for the first time since Jeff Fisher became head coach in 2012. The defense is prepared to carry the load if the offense needs time getting its act together. A beastly line got even deeper with the offseason signing of defensive tackle Nick Fairley from Detroit. Outside linebacker Alec Ogletree also should help the pass rush while a young secondary made significant strides in 2014. One off-field factor could play a significant role in the Rams' 2015 fortunes: Any fallout and distractions that develop from what appears an imminent move to Los Angeles.