As promising as things look for the Los Angeles Rams on paper this season, it's not as if they're going to cake-walk their way to a Super Bowl. Sean McVay knows that, the players know that and every other team in the NFL knows that.
There are bound to be bumps along the way, and though the NFC isn't as deep as the AFC, there are some quality teams standing in the Rams' way. We ranked the five biggest threats to the Rams in the conference, and two of them are in their own division.
Los Angeles will face four of these five teams, too, which could set up marquee rematches come playoff time.
5. Detroit Lions
The Lions clearly took a step back after losing both coordinators last year, specifically Ben Johnson on offense. But they still have arguably the league's best
running back in Jahmyr Gibbs, a top-five wide receiver tandem with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, a premier tight end in Sam LaPorta and a quarterback who excels in domes, Jared Goff.
Aidan Hutchinson is fully healthy now, too, so he gives the Lions a legitimate closer on the edge. The biggest issue for Detroit is its pass defense, which doesn't look any better on paper this year than it was in 2025. They're not as complete a team as they were in 2023 when they took down the Rams in the playoffs.
4. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have the potential to be very good this season, which seems to be the case every year leading up to Week 1. They'll need Jordan Love to keep taking the necessary steps in his development, cutting down on careless turnovers and taking better care of the football. Matthew Golden, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed make life easier on Love, as does the return of breakout tight end Tucker Kraft.
Defensively, they'll be missing Micah Parsons early on, but once he returns, he'll be the centerpiece of their defense. They have a ton of talent in the secondary to complement that pass rush led by Parsons.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have been the Rams' nemesis in the East for the past couple of seasons, winning four straight against Los Angeles, including the playoff game two seasons ago. They no longer have A.J. Brown, but their new offense under OC Sean Mannion should be much better than the disastrous scheme of a season ago.
If Saquon Barkley can get close to the 2024 version of himself and Jalen Hurts can play with more confidence throwing downfield, watch out for the Eagles. Talent isn't a question. It's more about the scheme and execution of it on offense.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers lost just about every key player to injury last season and still finished 12-5, splitting the season series with the Rams. They've dealt with an abundance of injuries already this offseason but if they're remotely healthy across the next 18 weeks, they could be dangerous.
With a coach like Kyle Shanahan and a quarterback who can operate his scheme perfectly the way Brock Purdy can, the 49ers are always a threat, especially to the Rams. Los Angeles is better equipped to slow down the 49ers' offense this season but Shanahan's squad always seems to be the Rams' kryptonite. They're not a team to overlook in Week 1 or at any point this year.
1. Seattle Seahawks
You had to know the Seahawks would be No. 1, right? After the Rams, they're clearly the best team in the NFC and are one of the most complete teams in the NFL. The losses of Riq Woolen, Kenneth Walker, Boye Mafe and Coby Bryant certainly hurt but the Seahawks still have Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon, Leonard Williams, as well as Nick Emmanwori and Ernest Jones.
The Rams lost 2 of 3 to the Seahawks last season but all three games were within four points; the Rams' two losses were by a combined three points. Their two late-season meetings in Week 16 and 18 could decide the division and the No. 1 seed, and there's a good chance these teams will meet in the playoffs again.
Seattle might be the only opponent the Rams wouldn't be favored against in the NFC.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Ranking the 5 biggest threats to the Rams in the NFC
