The Los Angeles Rams finally got their hands on the 2019 schedule when it was released Wednesday night, allowing fans and players to mark their calendars for the best games of the season. Coming off a campaign in which they reached the Super Bowl, the Rams are trying to defend their NFC crown against a difficult group of 13 opponents.
It’s extremely early and there’s a lot that will change between now and September, but there’s never a wrong time to predict the upcoming schedule. That’s exactly what we’ve done here, going game by game and picking a winner for each one.
Can the Rams go 13-3 again? Or are they in for a letdown against some tough opponents?
Week 1: at Panthers – Sept. 8, 10 a.m. PT
Season opener, on the road, in the Eastern time zone, against a team with a great rushing attack. Suffice to say, this is hardly an easy way to start the year, and Sean McVay knows it. Granted, it could’ve been worse after seeing the other Super Bowl contenders on the Rams’ schedule, but this is no bargain. All that said, the Rams will come out of Carolina victorious, thanks to their offense being too good to keep up with.
Prediction: Win (Record: 1-0)
Week 2: vs. Saints – Sept. 15, 1:25 p.m. PT
This is the big one, arguably the most anticipated game on the Rams’ schedule. Unfortunately, it’ll be a tough one to win, even with the game being played at the Coliseum. The Saints are one of the best teams in the league and as long as Drew Brees continues to play at a high level, they’ll remain as such. It’ll once again be a one-possession game, but the Saints will barely edge ahead and win a close one.
Prediction: Loss (1-1)
Week 3: at Browns – Sept. 22, 5:20 p.m. PT (SNF)
There may not be a team with more hype surrounding it than the Browns. However, the Rams are probably fortunate to get Cleveland so early in the year before Freddie Kitchens’ new-look team finds its footing. Being on the road makes this a tougher matchup, but the Rams are the better team on paper and will get the win. It certainly won’t be easy, though.
Prediction: Win (2-1)
Week 4: vs. Buccaneers – Sept. 29, 1:05 p.m. PT
There’s plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Buccaneers, even at the quarterback position where Jameis Winston has been wildly inconsistent. Bruce Arians should bring out the best in him, but I’m not sold on Tampa Bay being a contender yet. The Rams will take care of business at home before going back on the road.
Prediction: Win (3-1)
Week 5: at Seahawks – Oct. 3, 5:20 p.m. PT (TNF)
The short trip north is never one the Rams like making, given how difficult it is to beat the Seahawks in Seattle. It’ll be especially difficult on a short week. These two teams always play each other close and that’ll likely be the case again in Week 5, but the Seahawks will nab a close win at home. Their rushing attack will be a problem for the Rams and Russell Wilson will work his magic.
Prediction: Loss (3-2)
Week 6: vs. 49ers – Oct. 13, 1:05 p.m. PT
The 49ers had sky-high expectations in 2018 but Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury derailed any potential they had of winning. No one really knows what the 49ers will look like in 2019 because of Garoppolo’s lack of experience – are we sure he’s as good as his contract indicates? – and as good as Kyle Shanahan is, the Rams will knock off San Francisco at home.
Prediction: Win (4-2)
Week 7: at Falcons – Oct. 20, 10 a.m. PT
The Rams make the long trip east for another early kickoff, which is never easy for a West Coast team. The Falcons will be a tough out as always, boasting a good defensive line and former MVP Matt Ryan. The Rams are still the better team as of now and playing in a dome benefits them, so this will be another victory.
Prediction: Win (5-2)
Week 8: vs. Bengals – Oct. 27, 10 a.m. PT (London)
The Zac Taylor revenge game comes in London, but that won’t make it any easier for the Bengals to beat the Rams. Andy Dalton is mediocre at best, and Cincinnati’s defense looks like an absolute mess. Sean McVay will win Round 1 against his former quarterbacks coach, moving the Rams’ record to 6-2.
Prediction: Win (6-2)
Week 10: at Steelers – Nov. 10, 1:25 p.m. PT
Fresh off a bye, the Rams head to Pittsburgh. The weather shouldn’t be an issue this early in the year, and as long as there isn’t heavy wind or snow, Jared Goff will be fine. I’m not sold on the Steelers being a legitimate contender after trading away Antonio Brown and enduring all the drama they have. Ben Roethlisberger is always dangerous, but just as easily as he can dominate a defense, he can also sink the Steelers single-handedly. Rams win a close one, riding Todd Gurley to victory.
Prediction: Win (7-2)
Week 11: vs. Bears – Nov. 17, 1:25 p.m. PT
I think the Bears will be one of the five or six best teams in the league next season behind that stout defense and a continually improving quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky. Matt Nagy is a McVay-type who can elevate an offense no matter who’s leading it. Losing Vic Fangio as their defensive coordinator hurts, but the talent is still apparent across the roster. It’s difficult to do, but I’m predicting a Rams loss in this one. It won’t be one-sided like last year, though.
Prediction: Loss (7-3)
Week 12: vs. Ravens – Nov. 25, 5:15 p.m. PT (MNF)
Lamar Jackson is unlike anyone the Rams will see next season, but unless he improves as a passer, the Ravens will be figured out, just as they were against the Chargers in the postseason. Aaron Donald will disrupt everything Baltimore tries to do, helping lift the Rams to victory.
Prediction: Win (8-3)
Week 13: at Cardinals – Dec. 1, 1:05 p.m. PT
The Cardinals are still in the early stages of a rebuild and we don’t know who is going to be under center for them next season. Will it be an improved Josh Rosen with Nick Bosa rushing off the edge? Will they take Kyler Murray and trade away Rosen? No one knows, but regardless, the Rams are going to continue their absolute dominance against Arizona. They’ve won four straight, outscoring the Cardinals 132-25.
Prediction: Win (9-3)
Week 14: vs. Seahawks – Dec. 8, 5:20 p.m. PT (SNF)
This time, the Seahawks come to the Rams’ place. That makes it a completely different story and will come with a different result. The Rams have played Seattle well over the past few years and are the only team Russell Wilson has a losing record against (min. three games). There’s no way they get swept by Seattle, which hasn’t happened since 2013.
Prediction: Win (10-3)
Week 15: at Cowboys – Dec. 15, 1:25 p.m. PT
Just as the schedule-makers did last year, they put the NFC East champion on the Rams’ slate in Week 15. The Eagles beat the Rams last season, but the Cowboys won’t be as fortunate. The Rams will overcome Dallas’ physical and aggressive defense with a high-powered offensive attack, though it won’t be behind a two-headed monster at running back like in the divisional round. Goff wins this one with his arm.
Prediction: Win (11-3)
Week 16: at 49ers – Dec. 21/22, TBD
Just as they did earlier in the season, the Rams will knock off the 49ers, despite this game being played at Levi’s Stadium – hardly a home-field advantage for San Francisco. Donald is going to devour Garoppolo for four sacks and add a handful of tackles for loss in the process.
Prediction: Win (12-3)
Week 17: vs. Cardinals – Dec. 29, 1:25 p.m. PT
The only question about this one is whether the Rams have anything to play for. Given how good the rest of the NFC is, I’m going to say yes. Therefore, they’ll beat the Cardinals, secure a first-round bye and head into the playoffs just as they did last year: 13-3.
Prediction: Win (Final record: 13-3)
