The Los Angeles Rams have gone into their bye week with a 5-2 record. However, with five wins against AFC opponents and having played just one division game up to this point, the real season begins after the bye. There are multiple stretches in the back half of the year that will make or break the Rams’ season. This is a team with Super Bowl aspirations, and how they navigate their final 10 games will be important.
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints
This should be a comfortable win for the Rams, but the hope will be that they haven’t spent the last two weeks overlooking the Saints with the 49ers on deck. Three of the Saints’ last four losses have been by double digits. The Rams will simply be happy to be back at home and on the west coast after a long road trip.
Prediction: Win (6-2)
Week 10: @ San Francisco 49ers
The Rams will have likely had this game circled on the calendar since they lost back in Week 5. That was a game that the Rams should not have lost and they made too many self-inflicted errors in that game. While the 49ers will likely have George Kittle and Brock Purdy back, they are without Fred Warner for the remainder of the year. This just feels like a year in which the 49ers are going to sweep the Rams. Division games on the road are never easy and this is a team that has the Rams’ number.
Prediction: Loss (6-3)
Week 11: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Following a loss to the 49ers and falling to 0-2 in the NFC West, this Week 11 matchup becomes a must-win. The Seahawks are playing like one of the best teams in the NFL right now. In year two under Mike Macdonald, their defense is playing extremely fast and the pass rush is allowing them to play aggressively in the secondary. However, this is still a team with Sam Darnold under center. He’s played well this year, but in big moments against the 49ers and Buccaneers, he’s made the game-changing turnover.
Prediction: Win (7-3)
Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SNF)
Much like the Seahawks, the Buccaneers have been one of the best teams in the NFL through the first seven weeks. However, this is a team that may have peaked early. They can’t stay healthy at wide receiver and the defense gave up 164 yards rushing to the Detroit Lions last week. In two of their losses, they’ve given up 30 points. It will benefit the Rams having this game at SoFi. Sean McVay typically calls a good game against Todd Bowles.
Prediction: Win (8-3)
Week 13: @ Carolina Panthers
Surprisingly, the Panthers are 4-3, but the two teams with a winning record that they’ve played have beaten them by nearly 30 points. The Rams should be able to win this one handily after a tough stretch of three games. If the Rams are in need of a ‘get right’ game heading into the final stretch, this game should provide that.
Prediction: Win (9-3)
Week 14: @ Arizona Cardinals
Before the season, many would have expected the Cardinals to be competing for the NFC West. However, this is a team that is 2-5 and they find ways to lose games. They are 2-5 with just a -1 point differential. The Cardinals are better than their record says, but this regime seems to be hanging on by a thread. If this team continues to lose, it’s hard to see them staying focused late in the year.
Prediction: Win (10-3)
Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions
The Rams have lost to the Detroit Lions in the playoffs and then in Week 1 last year. Both of those games took place in Detroit. This game will take place in Los Angeles which changes things. While the Stafford trade happened back in 2021, there is still a lot of emotion with this game. Stafford has been playing at an MVP level and will look to put out his best stuff. With playoff seeding potentially on the line, the Rams get this win.
Prediction: Win (11-3)
Week 16: @ Seattle Seahawks (TNF)
Division games on the road are never easy and after a tough game in Detroit, the timing of this one is difficult. The Rams will be coming off of a game against the Lions before traveling to Seattle on a short week. Again, the Seahawks are one of the better teams in the NFL and bad scheduling doesn’t help.
Prediction: Loss (11-4)
Week 17: @ Atlanta Falcons (MNF)
The Rams will have a unique opportunity to help their own draft pick in this game. After trading the 26th overall pick to the Falcons, the Rams hold their first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Falcons are 3-3 through seven games and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them hovering around .500 at this point in the season. A long break this late in the season can’t be understated. The Rams get back on track with the postseason looming.
Prediction: Win (12-4)
Week 18: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Back when I did my preseason predictions, I had the Rams losing this game and finishing 12-5. However, even if the Rams do play their backups, they could win this game with how the Cardinals have played this year. The Rams could also be fighting for a top seed in the NFC in Week 18 and play their starters. Either way, the Rams finish the regular season tied with the most wins in the Sean McVay era.
Prediction: Loss (13-4)
