The 2026 slate of games was finalized this week for the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are in the league’s full spotlight with seven primetime games, but the real story is whether the schedule helps launch a contender—or exposes one.
What are the most compelling storylines from LA’s 2026 slate? Let’s preview some of the angles that will turn into headlines later in the year.
Did NFL hand Rams an early edge over 49ers?
The San Francisco 49ers upset the Rams at home on Thursday Night Football last season in part thanks to a high energy environment
that favored the traveling team. These division rivals will clash on Thursday in the season opener in Melbourne, and it’s difficult to put aside the idea that LA asked for this international matchup in order to prevent San Francisco from turning SoFi Stadium into Levi’s South.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said at the NFL league meetings that he’d like to see his team schedule a Monday night game in order for the league to make them whole after an opening week of burdensome travel. Instead, the NFL gave Shanahan the middle finger and asked the Rams to host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 2. San Francisco plays a day earlier and hosts the Miami Dolphins.
We cannot ignore that the league did the Rams a favor to start the season. Will we look back and say it made a difference in the trajectory of these two rivals?
Rams face their former quarterback as a key coach
LA travels to Philadelphia in Week 4. The Eagles have a familiar face at offensive coordinator in former Rams quarterback Sean Mannion. Mannion was drafted by Les Snead in the Jeff Fisher era and stuck during Sean McVay’s tenure as the multi-year backup to Jared Goff. While we did not see Mannion on the field during the regular season, his connection to McVay is undoubtedly a big reason why he now holds a key role in Philadelphia.
Offenses usually aren’t firing on all cylinders four weeks into the season. This could be an uphill battle for Mannion and the Eagles, although it will still be an interesting clash of former teammates.
Chiefs get first shot at old secondary
The blockbuster move of the NFL offseason was the Rams trading a first round pick and change for Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie. LA then doubled down in free agency and signed his running mate Jaylen Watson away from Kansas City. There may be no bigger position group overhaul in the entire league than the turnaround the Rams have administered at corner. This change could signal a schematic change on defense and should help a formidable pass rush get home more often.
But it’s never easy facing Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. This is still a tough matchup for the Rams even if their defense has taken a step forward on paper over the offseason.
The NFC West runs through Seattle
The Seahawks are the reigning NFC West and Super Bowl champs until they aren’t. The three matchups between these rivals a year ago were always closely fought and ultimately defined the season.
With two clashes in the final three weeks of the regular season, deciding the outcome of the division race could come down to the finale—and it’s possible we again see LA and Seattle face off in the postseason.
Will the Rams be able to change the outcome in 2026 and dethrone the Seahawks?
