Buy, buy, buy! Why the Rams are suddenly the hottest stock in the NFL

You know that moment on CNBC’s “Mad Money” when Jim Cramer gets so fired up about a stock he loves that he practically leaps out of his chair, pounding the table and screaming, “Buy, buy, buy!”?

Well, if the Los Angeles Rams were a stock on Wall Street, Cramer would be screaming those three words from the top of his lungs right now.

Two weeks ago, the Rams were a sinking investment, a team whose Super Bowl aspirations appeared to be evaporating faster than water on the pavement during an LA heat wave.

They were 2-4, sitting in last place in the NFC West after an embarrassing loss to the Arizona Cardinals, their roster was riddled with injuries and head coach Sean McVay was running out of answers for a season that had gone spectacularly sideways.

Fast-forward just 14 days, and the Rams have suddenly become one of the more intriguing turnaround stories in the NFL.

Two consecutive victories have brought the Rams back to .500 at 4-4, and Monday delivered perhaps the most encouraging news yet.

Myles Garrett is coming back.

McVay announced that the reigning and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year will return to practice this week, beginning his 21-day activation window after nearly two months on injured reserve following knee surgery.

Garrett could conceivably suit up Sunday against the Washington Commanders, although the Rams have the luxury of taking their time.

Garrett isn’t alone either. McVay also said the team expects to begin tight end Terrance Ferguson’s 21-day activation this week as well. For a team depleted at the receiver and tight end position, getting Ferguson back will provide another weapon for Matthew Stafford as the Rams offense continues finding its rhythm.

And that’s precisely why the outlook in Los Angeles has changed so dramatically in just a short amount of time.

For weeks, McVay has been forced to assemble his roster like a mechanic trying to rebuild an engine with half the necessary parts missing.

Now, the replacement parts have finally arrived in the mail.

Garrett’s return could transform Chris Shula’s defense overnight. Opposing offensive lines will have to account for another elite pass rusher, potentially freeing Aaron Donald from the constant double-teams that have limited his opportunities through the first eight weeks of his comeback campaign.

Imagine Donald and Garrett attacking quarterbacks together, with Byron Young and Braden Fiske benefiting from the attention both demand.

That’s the nightmare opposing offensive coordinators were supposed to face when the season began, but haven’t had to because of injuries.

And Garrett and Ferguson aren’t the only reinforcements coming.

More help could arrive after the bye week.

Defensive lineman Kobie Turner is expected back from his groin injury, while wide receiver Davante Adams could return from his hamstring injury around that time or shortly thereafter.

Colby Parkinson, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson are also considered day-to-day this week but all three could be on the field this Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

After the Commanders, the Rams face the Cardinals before their bye week, two winnable games against opponents Los Angeles should have the talent to beat.

Win both, and the Rams enter their much-needed break at 6-4, riding a four-game winning streak with seven games remaining.

They’d be two games above .500, potentially sitting in an NFC wild-card position, with a healthier roster and legitimate momentum heading into the final stretch.

That’s a remarkable turnaround for a team whose season looked like it had come off the rails just two Sundays ago.

Of course, nobody should confuse two consecutive victories with a championship parade. The Rams still have flaws, particularly on special teams, and their margin for error remains as thin as a three-month old bar of soap.

But consider the circumstances.

They’ve endured injuries to some of their most important players, watched games slip away through penalties, special teams mistakes and questionable decisions.

Now, at 4-4, the question becomes whether the glass is half-full or half-empty.

We’re buying the half-full argument.

Because unlike two weeks ago, the Rams aren’t merely hoping things improve. They’re getting healthier, winning football games and welcoming back players capable of impacting the game immediately.

The stock market rewards investors who recognize value before everyone else catches on.

And right now, the Rams are looking like a bargain.

So in the words of Jim Cramer, it’s time to buy, buy, buy!

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