The Los Angeles Rams’ full 2020 schedule was released on Thursday night, laying out their slate of games next season. After missing the playoffs last season, the Rams are hoping to get back into the big dance with a record better than their 9-7 mark from 2019.
It won’t be an easy path to the postseason with games against the 49ers, Cowboys, Patriots, Buccaneers and Seahawks all on the schedule, but the Rams have the talent to make it back to the playoffs.
Here are six takeaways from their 2020 schedule, which features a difficult start.
Brutal start in first 3 weeks
The start to the Rams’ season looks daunting. They open the year at home against Greg Zuerlein and the Cowboys, who look like one of the best offenses on paper as of now. That will be an early test for first-year defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.
Then the Rams hit the road for back-to-back road games against the Eagles and Bills – both of which are 10 a.m. PT kickoffs. Fortunately, the Rams get to stay out east if they choose, limiting the travel instead of going back to L.A. between those games, but it’s still a difficult start to the year.
All three of their initial opponents could be playoff teams next season and none of them will be easy outs for the Rams. Coming out of the first three weeks with a 2-1 record should be viewed as a win if L.A. can pull it off.
Soft second quarter
After a tough start, things soften up for the Rams in the middle of the season. From Week 4-8, they’ll face the Giants, Redskins, 49ers, Bears and Dolphins. The only really good team in that stretch is San Francisco, which represented the NFC in the Super Bowl last season.
The Rams should go at least 4-1 or 5-0 in those five games, with a worst-case scenario being a 3-2 record.
If the Rams do get off to a slow start in their first three games, they do get some relief and should be able to get back on track in Weeks 4-8.
NFC West-packed second half
The Rams don’t face a division rival until Week 6, which is a benefit for them. The NFC West is going to be extremely tough in 2020, and the Rams will have the benefit of gaining some momentum before taking on their division foes.
The Rams’ only NFC West opponent in the first half of the season is San Francisco in Week 6, but from Week 10-17, they have five divisional games in an eight-game span. That could very well decide the NFC West if the Rams are in the hunt, because of how important divisional records are.
Four trips to the East Coast – but no weather concerns
The Rams will be racking up the miles next season. They have to make four separate trips to the East Coast, facing the Eagles, Bills, Redskins, Dolphins and Buccaneers. Four of those games are at the dreaded 10 a.m. PT kickoff, with the matchup against Tampa Bay being on Monday night.
The Rams do benefit from two of those games coming in back-to-back weeks, allowing them to stay on the East Coast for Weeks 2 and 3. Sean McVay said on NFL Network that the team plans to do exactly that, just as it has in recent years when playing consecutive games in the Eastern Time Zone.
Fortunately, the games against the Eagles, Bills and Redskins are all early in the year, which will allow the Rams to avoid playing any potential snow games. Rain is always a possibility in Miami and Tampa Bay, but at least the Rams won’t be playing in any frigid temperatures.
Plenty of prime time
For the second year in a row, the Rams are scheduled to play five prime-time games – the most allowed by the NFL. They’re one of just eight teams to max out with five night games, which is a testament to how the league views the Rams in 2020.
It’s not just because of SoFi Stadium, either. The Chargers only got two prime-time games, both of which are on the road. Even after a down year in 2019, the NFL still wants the Rams on the big stage as often as possible.
After all, offense sells.
Minimal travel to finish the year
The Rams may have to fly around the country often in the first half of the season, but they’ll be staying close to home as they finish out the season. From Week 12 on, the Rams won’t leave the Pacific Time Zone with their only road trips coming against the Cardinals and Seahawks – both short flights from L.A.
That will be a nice bonus if the Rams are in playoff contention, since they won’t be traveling much before the postseason begins. It’s a nice finish to the season after a really difficult start.
