With training camp underway across the NFL, teams are forging their rosters to make a run towards Super Bowl LX. The Los Angeles Rams are three years and counting from their last trek to the Super Bowl where they completed a comeback over Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals. Must rather than reliving the story of 2021, let’s rank the matchups that would be worth seeing in a Rams vs. AFC opponent in 2025.
16. Cleveland Browns
Maybe there are some that would like to see Cleveland relevant again. As for me, for a team that is
compromised of DeShaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, I would rather see 15 other teams represent the AFC. There just isn’t a lot of storytelling in a Browns vs. Rams matchup.
15. New York Jets
The New York Jets have just been a constant tabloid it seems like since Mark Sanchez. Justin Fields just went down with a lower extremity injury and the team will now be led by journeyman Tyrod Taylor. Aaron Glenn enters his first year with this group and just seems like Sean McVay would run circles around him in the big game.
14. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts franchise just hasn’t been the same since Peyton Manning. Andrew Luck brought a temporary amount of excitement since 2019, the team has been quarterbacked by: Jacoby Brissett, Phillip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Gardner Minshew, and Anthony Richardson. It’s been a revolving door and the jury is out of whether AR5 is a stable answer.
13. Tennessee Titans
A rematch of 1999 would provide some Super Bowl week material to relive. Cam Ward was also the 2025 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick. But history has not been kind to rookie quarterbacks in the NFL.
12. Miami Dolphins
A matchup of Miami and Los Angeles would be a display of pre-snap motion for both teams. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Davante Adams, and Puka Nacua provide noteworthy pass catchers. Mike McDaniel and Sean McVay have history with one another from when McDaniel was a running backs coach with San Francisco. The only downside of this matchup is Tua Tagovailoa.
11. Las Vegas Raiders
Ever since Sean McVay joined the NFC West in 2017, he owned Pete Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks. Carroll’s time in Seattle came to a close but he is now leading the charge with the silver and black. Tom Brady’s partial ownership would also provide intrigue. At the same time, Geno Smith is not the type of quarterback you envision for a marquee matchup.
10. Baltimore Ravens
There will be plenty of disagreement with my ranking of the Ravens at 10. But hear me out. The Rams and Ravens play two different styles of football. Los Angeles, a team inclined to throw it around, while Baltimore is a run-first approach. This can lead to some time-killing drives; ultimately slowing the back and forth of a game. Sometimes opposites attract but not in this case.
9. New England Patriots
Rematch #3. Super Bowls XXXVI and LIII did not go in favor of Los Angeles. This time Sean McVay would not have to worry about Tom Brady or Bill Belichick. Mike Vrabel would still be able to scheme a good game plan but McVay has a more capable quarterback this time.
8. Denver Broncos
Sean Payton and Sean McVay meet again. The 2018 NFC Championship may have been remembered by the no-call pass interference. But this game was also an excellent cat and mouse between two great play callers. Since then, Sean Payton left for the broadcasting booth but recently joined the Denver Broncos and has Bo Nix as his rising quarterback.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sean McVay has yet to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in his 9 years coaching. Mike Tomlin has had the upper hand over Sean McVay; beating him in 2019 and 2023. A win would give McVay a win over 30 of the NFL franchises (has yet to beat MIA as well). Los Angeles and Pittsburgh also faced off in Super Bowl XIV; giving this matchup a historical rematch and two iconic modern day coaches with each searching for a second Lombardi trophy to their ledger.
6. Houston Texans
CJ Stroud enters year three with superstar upside. DeMeco Ryans has done an admirable job building his team to control the AFC South. He gave McVay plenty to deal with when he was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. These two teams will face off in the season opener; but a lot could change across an entire NFL season.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
James Gladstone vs. Les Snead. The Jaguars hired the Rams director of scouting in March and he has already put his fingerprints on the organization by orchestrating a huge draft day trade to move up and acquire two-way player Travis Hunter. I actually like certain aspects of the Jaguars roster: Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr, Travis Hunter, Josh Allen, Arik Armstead, Travon Walker, and Devin Lloyd to name a few. The possibilities of this are unlikely but for sentiment purposes, it would be worthwhile.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Two teams from Los Angeles squaring off. It would be an NFL first. Jim Harbaugh has created a formidable Chargers defense to stonewall any modern day offense. Justin Herbert could finally be ready to breach the top 5 for quarterbacks.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
The Rams and Bengals delivered on Super Bowl LVI with a game that came down to the wire. The oddity of this matchup is that it would feature a very similar Bengals offense but a very different Rams offense. Matthew Stafford and Rob Havenstein would be the only returning faces from that game for LA.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
I don’t think we will ever get a repeat of the 2018 Monday Night Football thriller. But watching Andy Reid and Sean McVay scheme and game plan in a Super Bowl would be a treat for any NFL fan.
1. Buffalo Bills
One of the most underrated games of the 2024 regular season was the high scoring battle between LA and Buffalo. Josh Allen may have scored five touchdowns but Matthew Stafford was equally as brilliant in the pocket. It would be safe to assume that both quarterbacks would put on an identical display on the NFL’s biggest stage.
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