Everyone knew the early part of the Los Angeles Rams' schedule was going to be tough. A game in Australia against a division rival, followed by three out of four games against teams that made the playoffs last year. Few, however, thought the Rams would stumble to a 2-3 start.
That's the hole Los Angeles has put itself in, and it's not dissimilar to the ones it dug in 2023 and 2024 before going on to make the playoffs.
Even at 2-3, the Rams are still considered the Super Bowl favorites at multiple sportsbooks. Their chances of winning it all, though, are undeniably slimmer now than they were before Week 1.
According to ESPN, the Rams' 2-3 start is among the worst five-game stretches to open a season by a Super Bowl favorite since 2000. Here's how the last five have fared, each of them failing to even reach the Super Bowl.
- 2025 Ravens: 1-4, missed playoffs
- 2021 Chiefs: 2-3, lost AFC Championship
- 2015 Seahawks: 2-3, lost divisional round
- 2012 Packers: 2-3, lost divisional round
- 2002 Rams: 0-5, missed playoffs
Historically, teams that start 2-3 or worse don't go on to win it all. The last team to open a season 2-3 in its first five games and still win the Super Bowl was the 2001 Patriots, who finished the year 11-5. Before that? The 1980 Oakland Raiders, who also went 11-5 and won the Super Bowl after starting 2-3.
Outside of those two champions, the 1985 Patriots are the only other team to even reach the Super Bowl after starting 2-3 or worse.
By no means are the Rams out of playoff contention, especially given recent history. Since the 1970 merger, 105 teams have started 2-3 or worse and still made the playoffs. The problem is, only two of those 105 teams went on to win a ring. Can the Rams become the third?
Oddsmakers still believe in them, as do the Rams' own players and coaches. With an upcoming stretch where the Rams will be heavily favored in their next five games, they could get to 7-3 before their Week 11 bye.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: What does history say about Rams' Super Bowl chances after slow start?