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LOS ANGELES RAMS

Last Season: 7-9

Finished third, NFC West

Preseason power ranking: 28

The Rams project to do two crucial things very well: run the ball and get to the quarterback. Todd Gurley -- now two years removed from knee surgery -- may be the best running back in the league outside of Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson. The defending Offensive Rookie of the Year should only be improved. On the other side, a healthy Robert Quinn on the edge should open more opportunities for star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the game’s best interior pass-rusher. If the Rams can be mediocre in the passing game and effectively plug a couple of holes in the secondary, they’ll be fine.

Look at their division. The Rams will once again play a quarter of their games against the Seahawks and Cardinals, who may very well have the two deepest rosters in the NFL. Now let’s look internally. The Rams’ offensive line is ranked 31st by Pro Football Focus entering the season, which doesn’t bode well for a passing game that was statistically the worst in 2015. Three rookies -- quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Pharoh Cooper and tight end Tyler Higbee -- will be counted on to improve that department. And their secondary must overcome the losses of Janoris Jenkins and Rodney McLeod.

Rams’ percentage chance to win each game

Sept. 12 @ San Francisco: 47.3

Sept. 18 vs. Seattle: 41.7

Sept. 25 @ Tampa Bay: 40.2

Oct. 2 @ Arizona: 28.1

Oct. 9 vs. Buffalo: 57.1

Oct. 16 @ Detroit: 43.7

Oct. 23 vs. NY Giants: 46.1

Nov. 6 vs. Carolina: 51.5

Nov. 13 @ NY Jets: 34.4

Nov. 20 vs. Miami: 64.9

Nov. 27 @ New Orleans: 38.7

Dec. 4 @ New England: 21.4

Dec. 11 vs. Falcons: 62.1

Dec. 15 @ Seattle: 25.8

Dec. 24 vs. San Francisco: 68.9

Jan. 1 vs. Arizona: 45.3

Alden Gonzalez’s game-by-game predictions

Until top pick Jared Goff is ready, it’s Keenum, who has 15 career NFL starts and wasn’t invited back to Houston last year. The Rams will take as much time as Goff needs, but they’re hoping it’s not much. -- Dan Graziano

The Rams traded up to get Goff because they believe he can become their franchise quarterback, and they’re hoping to start seeing it this season. Goff has the raw tools to become an elite passer, but he has a lot of learning to do first.

Cooper, a fourth-round pick, has already established himself as the No. 3 receiver and is expected to be a menace after the catch. The Rams figure to use him in a variety of different ways -- in the passing game, out of the back field and perhaps even on punt returns.

With Gurley, Donald, Goff and a handful of other exciting young players, the Rams certainly have the panache to command attention in the competitive Los Angeles market. Still, they may not have the overall depth to get over the .500 mark and reach the playoffs in a tough NFC West.