Cali Football Fans Face a Full NFL Season of Excitement
- Updated: July 1, 2016
With the return of the Rams to Los Angeles, for the first time since the 1994 season the state of California will have four NFL teams to follow. So what can the California NFL fan expect out of the 2016 season? And where is the smart money when it comes to Super Bowl betting and which teams will make it for the final games?
Considering the recent history of the Oakland Raiders, and the many times we’ve heard “this is the Raiders year,” it’s almost a cliche to say it, but in truth, this really may be the Raiders year. The core of the offense is young, good, and on the upswing. In just two seasons Derek Carr has established himself as a legitimate franchise quarterback. And his target on the outside, Amari Cooper, topped the 1000-yard mark last year as a rookie.
The defense is also packed with young talent. Pass rusher Khalil Mack is a future NFL defensive player of the year entering just his third season in the pros. With Denver taking a step back, the Raiders just might be the team to step up.
For Oakland’s Bay Area neighbor, the San Francisco 49ers, it’s a different story. Making the playoffs is seen by many a near impossibility. Chip Kelly is fine coach, but does he have the horses in San Francisco to run thee uptempo offense he so desires? Not likely. Carlos Hyde is no longer hurt, so look for him to possibly break out as a third year running back. And there will definitely be improvement in the Niners scoring totals. Although considering they were dead last in the NFL last season, that’s a pretty low bar.
San Diego has the Chargers, but for how long? The team still has an option of joining the Rams in Los Angeles, even as they try to work on a new stadium in San Diego, and that has one the country’s better fan bases turning away from team ownership in disgust. On the field, the Chargers limped to the finish line in 2015 with just 4 wins–their lowest total since 2003. Philip Rivers does have a new weapon to throw to in 2016 in former Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin. But his other main weapon, Antonio Gates, is now clearly on the decline.
And of course the biggest spotlight will be on the Rams as they return to the city of Los Angeles, and #1 overall draft pick Jared Goff. The Rams coaches will want to be patient with him, while the fans and the media won’t. Guess who will win that tug-of-war. It’s a safe bet that we will see Goff under center in week one. One big factor that makes starting him less of a risk is that running back Todd Gurley is far and away the best player on the Rams offense. The offense will go through him, which will help give Goff time to grow.
This season it may be unlikely that we’ll see a trip to the playoffs from the Rams, as both the Cardinals and Seahawks will stay above them in the NFC West. But their two young guns on offense will be awfully fun to watch.
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