With the 2017 season squarely in the NFL history books, the Los Angeles Rams will begin to focus not on the great memories from the season past, but a future set with new challeges.

It’s been nearly a week since the season for the Los Angeles Rams ended with a sudden thud in a 26-13 playoff loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Add the multitude of editorials, postmortems, and season wrap ups, and the year that was is gaining momentum in the rear view mirror.

Now the looking ahead is just beginning.

First off, 2018 won’t be a year where the Rams catch anyone by surprise. An 11-5 record, a dominant defense, and an explosive offense (with the exception of the last two games) will be front a center for any opponent LA faces.

So, how does Los Angeles keep up the momentum from a breakout season?

Well, one thing to keep in mind given how just about everything worked this year, is what the Rams do in Act II of the Sean McVay era.

Think about it.

As great a job as McVay did this season, next year the expectations coming into training camp will be times 1,000. You can make a reasonable argument that an improvement from 2017 to 2018 would be a better coaching job than the Coach of the Year honors he’ll likely earn for this season. Any slip up or step back won’t be received well, and could render the Rams a one hit wonder.

But seriously, that’s doubtful.

It’s practically a unanimous proclamation that the doldrums of Rams seasons’ past are in the history books.

Maybe so.

But delivering when it’s expected is a different deal than when it’s not.