Los Angeles Rams schedule 2026: Takeaways, predictions
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams‘2026 schedule was launched together with the remainder of the NFL slate on Thursday.
The Rams will open in Melbourne, Australia in opposition to the San Francisco 49ersenjoying within the NFL’s first recreation down underneath.
The NFL clearly expects the Rams — who completed second within the NFC West earlier than successful two street playoff video games — to be related this season. Los Angeles has six primetime video games on the schedule.
Here’s what’s in retailer for the Rams:
Rams 2026 regular-season schedule
Week 1: Sept. 10 vs. San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne
Week 2: Sept. 21 vs. New York Giants (MNF)
Week 3: Sept. 27 at Denver Broncos (SNF)
Week 4: Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 5: Oct. 12 vs. Buffalo Bills (MNF)
Week 6: Oct. 18 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 7: Oct. 25 at Las Vegas Raiders
Week 8: Nov. 1 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 9: Nov. 8 at Washington Commanders
Week 10: Nov. 15 at Arizona Cardinals
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Nov. 25 vs. Green Bay Packers (Wednesday)
Week 13: Dec. 3 Kansas City Chiefs (TNF)
Week 14: Dec. 13 at San Francisco 49ers
Week 15: Dec. 20 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 16: Dec. 25 at Seattle Seahawks (Friday)
Week 17: TBD* at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 18: TBD* vs. Seattle Seahawks
*Dates for Week 17 and 18 are to be decided
Strength of schedule: The Rams have the Thirteenth-hardest schedule within the league (opponents had a .516 successful share in 2025).
DraftKings over/underneath win complete: 11.5
ESPN analyst Mike Clay’s projected win complete: 13.3
Biggest takeaway
Because the Rams open the season on Thursday evening in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, a key to getting by way of the early season shall be how they get better from that journey. After “hosting” the 49ers in Week 1, the Rams will play their LA season-opener in Week 2 in opposition to the Giants. They may also have a brief street journey to Denver in Week 3. The Rams will face a tricky check down the stretch, with video games in opposition to the Packers, Chiefs and Seahawks after their Week 11 bye. Los Angeles will end with three of its remaining 5 video games on the street, though two are journeys throughout the NFC West.
Circle these dates
After the best way the three Rams-Seahawks went final season — and the way shut the video games had been — it is arduous to not decide the street recreation in opposition to the defending Super Bowl champions on Christmas, after which once more solely two weeks later at house. These late-season video games might once more determine the NFC West. The Rams had been 0-2 at Lumen Field final season, together with within the NFC Championship Game.
Bold prediction
The Rams will win not less than 5 video games within the NFC West. Los Angeles went 4-2 within the division through the 2025 common season, shedding to the 49ers at house and the Seahawks on the street. And whereas this can proceed to be among the finest divisions within the NFL, the Rams took large strides to enhance their protection this offseason.
How will the Rams’ journey to Australia — together with three East Coast journeys — have an effect on their season?
The Rams confirmed final season that they might deal with numerous journey, with 5 journeys east of the Mississippi River and a visit to London. But this shall be a considerably totally different check, with no capability to have a bye after their flight again from Melbourne. Still, Los Angeles can have an opportunity to get better with a Week 2 recreation at house.
