NFC West power rankings: Can the 49ers get back to the Super Bowl?

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 19: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field prior to the start of the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 01: Defensive tackle Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams pressures quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

4. Los Angeles Rams

In 2017, head coach Sean McVay made his debut with the Los Angeles Rams. The club finished with its first winning season since 2003 and made its first playoff appearance since getting to the postseason with an 8-8 record in ‘04. It was a short stay in the post season but that changed one year later as the Rams won 13 games, bested the Cowboys and the Saints in the playoffs and reached Super Bowl LIII.

Unfortunately, McVay’s club became only the second team to reach the Super Bowl and not score a touchdown. Hence a 13-3 loss, one in which the Rams were ready to rebound from as they got off to a 3-0 start this past year. But this was a flawed club, as quarterback Jared Goff picked up where he left off in terms of turnovers and the Rams’ defense struggled. The results were a disappointing 9-7 season and a failure to make the playoffs.

As for the present, high-priced running back Todd Gurley was released this offseason (via Jenna West of SI.com) and pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. signed with the Atlanta Falcons, who also added Gurley as well. General manager Les Snead used a second-round pick this year on running back Cam Akers. Is he the heir apparent? And will Goff miss wide receiver Brandin Cooks, dealt to the Texans earlier this year?