The Los Angeles Rams' path back to the playoffs begins on Thursday night when they host the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. It's the start of a grueling schedule for the Rams, who also have to face the Broncos, Eagles and Bills ... all in the first five weeks.
There is a little let-up in the middle of the season but for the most part, the Rams will be facing quality teams each week. They wouldn't have it any other way, though.
To be the best, they're going to beat the best.
With the season upon us, it's the perfect time to predict the Rams' final record by going through each game and picking L.A. to either win or lose. On paper, the Rams look like a team that could run the table, but that's much easier said than done.
Here are our
score predictions for each game this season.
Week 1: vs. 49ers
The Rams have their work cut out for them right off the bat, facing a motivated 49ers team all the way in Australia. They have to overcome jet lag and a talented Niners team that is now healthy after dealing with some offseason injuries.
This could be a defensive battle with each offense knocking off some rust, but the Rams will come away with a win, nonetheless.
Prediction: Win, 20-17 (1-0)
Week 2: vs. Giants
After flying back from Melbourne to L.A., the Rams will have over a week to get ready for the Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 2. They shouldn't be too fatigued from traveling or acclimated to Australian time after spending only a few days overseas, so they'll be ready to go against John Harbaugh and Jaxson Dart.
The Giants have some potential, but the Rams are unquestionably the better team.
Prediction: Win, 24-20 (2-0)
Week 3: at Broncos
For the third straight week, the Rams will play in prime time. This game is on Sunday Night Football, making it a slightly shorter week for the Rams following Monday night's showdown. The Broncos are legitimate Super Bowl contenders with their championship-caliber defense, and they just added Jaylen Waddle to their receiving corps, too.
Flying to Denver after two tough games to start the year will make this a real test for the Rams.
Prediction: Loss, 20-16 (2-1)
Week 4: at Eagles
After visiting the Broncos in Denver, the Rams will then fly to Philly to take on the Eagles. It's hard to say Philadelphia got much better this offseason, particularly with the departure of A.J. Brown, and their offense was already a mess last season. Sean Mannion's new scheme should help Jalen Hurts and company, but the Rams will finally get over the hurdle and beat the Eagles on the road.
Prediction: Win, 24-21 (3-1)
Week 5: vs. Bills
The Bills are not going to be an easy team to beat this year, as long as Josh Allen and James Cook are healthy. They added D.J. Moore, and while there are still questions about their defense, the offense is high-powered and has a perennial MVP candidate running the show.
Myles Garrett and the pass rush will be crucial in this game when it comes to containing, not necessarily sacking, Allen.
Prediction: Loss, 30-27 (3-2)
Week 6: vs. Cardinals
After an absolute gauntlet to start the year, the Rams get a break in Week 6 with the Cardinals at home. They should win this game convincingly, no matter how the first five weeks of the season go. Arizona is likely to be one of the worst teams in football, and while the offense could be a pleasant surprise, there's no one on that defense to slow down the Rams.
Prediction: Win, 34-17 (4-2)
Week 7: at Raiders
Another favorable game comes in Week 7 against the Raiders in Vegas. It's not a very far flight from L.A. to Allegiant Stadium, so the travel isn't very taxing at all, making this a game the Rams should absolutely win – again in dominant fashion. Whether the Raiders are still starting Kirk Cousins or have turned to Fernando Mendoza, the Rams won't have much trouble slowing down their offense.
Prediction: Win, 30-13 (5-2)
Week 8: vs. Chargers
The Chargers are going to run the ball under Jim Harbaugh, which will test the Rams' revamped defensive front. Justin Herbert hasn't exactly excelled in big games, and against a pair of cornerbacks that he's familiar with (Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson), the Rams will get the best of him in a close game.
Prediction: Win, 27-21 (6-2)
Week 9: at Commanders
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil will miss extended time with a torn triceps, so it's unlikely he'll be back for this game. That leaves a gaping hole at left tackle, which the Rams will exploit with their outstanding pass rush. If the Commanders can't protect Jayden Daniels, it's going to be a long season for them. The defense is an equally big question mark as the offensive line, causing real problems for Washington.
Prediction: Win, 30-17 (7-2)
Week 10: at Cardinals
One would think the Cardinals will be better by this point in the season, but still not good enough to beat the Rams – even at home. Arizona simply doesn't have the defensive talent to match up with the Rams' offensive playmakers, which is why this could be another win by double digits for Los Angeles.
Look for the Rams to keep things rolling before the bye.
Prediction: Win, 31-17 (8-2)
Week 11: Bye
The Rams get a much-needed break before facing the Packers on Thanksgiving Eve the following Wednesday.
Week 12: vs. Packers
The Packers and Rams will both have byes the week before this game, which makes sense considering it'll be played on a Wednesday night. What helps the Rams is the fact that they don't have to travel halfway across the country to play.
Both of these defenses should be in great shape by this point, with Micah Parsons presumably back to full health and Aaron Donald free of any lingering rust. The Rams will take this one at home in a back-and-forth game.
Prediction: Win, 27-23 (9-2)
Week 13: vs. Chiefs
We obviously know Patrick Mahomes will be fine for this game considering he's good to go for Week 1, but the Chiefs aren't the juggernauts they used to be. The defense lost two starting cornerbacks to the Rams in McDuffie and Watson, and though the offense picked up Ken Walker, there aren't exactly reliable playmakers outside of Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce.
The Rams will handle their business at home.
Prediction: Win, 28-27 (10-2)
Week 14: at 49ers
How healthy will the 49ers be at this point in the season? Even if they're banged up, they're still a threat to the Rams because of Kyle Shanahan's scheme – a scheme that consistently gives Los Angeles trouble. Plus, this game will be on the road in Santa Clara, which is never an easy environment to play in.
After winning seven straight, the Rams could stumble against San Francisco late in the year.
Prediction: Loss, 30-27 (10-3)
Week 15: vs. Cowboys
Will the Cowboys be able to stop anyone? And will anyone be able to stop their offense? That'll be a question for this matchup, which features two outstanding offenses, and two defenses on different ends of the spectrum (for now). Dallas' defense is expected to improve under new DC Christian Parker, and the Rams got a little taste of that in their joint practice. But this could still end up being a shootout at SoFi.
Prediction: Win, 34-31 (11-3)
Week 16: at Seahawks
Finally, we get a Rams-Seahawks matchup 16 weeks into the season. This Christmas night showdown in Seattle will be must-see TV for fans of any team, especially if it's anything like the three games the Rams and Seahawks played last year. These could be the two best teams in the conference, each boasting offensive firepower and star-studded defenses.
The Seahawks didn't make the marquee additions that the Rams did this offseason but they're still a top team in the NFL.
Prediction: Loss, 24-23 (11-4)
Week 17: at Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are one of those teams where people will be saying "they should be really good" but come up short once again. They're just not a complete team and as capable as Baker Mayfield is of carrying the offense, will the defense hold up its end of the bargain?
Prediction: Win, 30-17 (12-4)
Week 18: vs. Seahawks
As long as the Rams and Seahawks both stay relatively healthy, they could be competing for the No. 1 seed in this game. The Rams have the benefit of being at home but they'll be coming back from Tampa Bay, which is a long cross-country flight.
Still, they'll deliver when they need to most in the season finale and knock off the Seahawks to clinch the top seed.
Prediction: Win, 23-20 (13-4)
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Final score predictions for every game on Rams' 2026 schedule
