The Los Angeles Rams are 6-2 and have positioned themselves well in the NFC playoff picture.
Their next two games might be their most important of the season so far. They’ll travel to take on the San Francisco 49ers this weekend and then on deck are the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. While fans feel confident in the team at this point in time, the outlook will drastically change if LA falls behind either or both of the 49ers and Seahawks.
And the degree of difficulty remains high for the Rams even after the next two weeks. This is their schedule into the final stage of the season:
Week 10 at 49ers
It’s a three-man race for the NFC West lead. The 49ers aren’t far behind the Seahawks and Rams at 5-3, though it does feel they are overachieving given their rash of injuries and overall talent level.
Since San Francisco upset the Rams at home earlier this season, this is simply a must-win game for Los Angeles if they want to take the divisional crown in 2025.
Prediction: WIN (7-2)
Week 11 vs Seahawks
It’s a troubling sign that the Rams still have two remaining games against Seattle, who might be one of the best teams in the entire NFL let along the NFC West. Sam Darnold is playing at an MVP level. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is giving shades of the 2021 version of his teammate Cooper Kupp. Their defense is multiple and talented across the board, and can give offenses fits with creative game plans.
The Seahawks are down right scary. It will be interesting to see how the Rams matchup.
If winning the division is the goal, you have to take care of business in the remaining two games against Seattle.
Prediction: LOSS (7-3)
Week 12 vs Buccaneers (SNF)
Tampa Bay currently has the same record as Los Angeles. They’ve been among the best teams in the NFC since Baker Mayfield took over at quarterback a few years ago. The Bucs have battled through injuries—especially on offense—to remain competitive.
This matchup will be on Sunday Night Football and emotions will be high between two of the better teams in the conference. It could also be a potential playoff preview.
Prediction: LOSS (7-4)
Week 13 at Panthers
The Panthers aren’t world beaters, but they are still better than most expected from them this season. Carolina currently holds a 5-4 record.
They can beat you on the ground with Rico Dowdle. Their defense is littered with talent even if they have trouble putting it together consistently. Bryce Young can look capable one week and disastrous the next.
It’s important not to look past Carolina. In isolation they can hang with the best for four quarters and seem to be getting better. Their win last week over the Green Bay Packers is easily their most impressive win on the season.
Prediction: WIN (8-4)
Week 14 at Cardinals
The Cardinals aren’t as good as I’d thought they’d be this season, though their arrow does seem pointed up in recent weeks with Jacoby Brissett at the helm. Their talented pass catchers seem reinvigorated with Brissett, and the talent level of their defense has raised from previous years.
Should the Rams worry about the Cardinals in terms of standings? Probably not. Can the Cardinals hang around and potentially upset LA, as they did last season? Absolutely.
Prediction: WIN (9-4)
Week 15 vs Lions
This will be a highly anticipated return of Jared Goff to SoFi Stadium. The Lions have had LA’s number in the handful of matchups since the two teams swapped quarterbacks. Detroit knocked the Rams out of the playoffs and then last season claimed victory in the opening weekend.
Is this the game where the Rams get over the hump? It’s going to be tough for sure.
Prediction: LOSS (9-5)
Week 16 at Seahawks
Prediction: WIN (10-5)
Week 17 at Falcons
Week 17 is a must-win for Los Angeles for multiple reasons. The NFC West is sure to be tightly fought and a victory could clinch playoff positioning or a division win, if not already done with a win over Seattle in the preceding week.
The Rams also must beat the Falcons in order to make their earlier of two first-round picks more valuable. Atlanta is currently 3-5 and their draft choice held by LA is on the edge of the top 10. This selection will be an important building block for the future, and possibly how the Rams decide to thread the needle between the Matthew Stafford era and the future.
