After a decade of being one of the least successful teams in the NFL, the Los Angeles Rams turned things around in 2017 and have since become a franchise that fans want to tune in to watch. The roster will look very different than it did in 2018 and 2019, with Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks being the most notable departures, but Los Angeles should still be a team that competes for a playoff berth.
As a result, the Rams should be in prime time a handful of times next season. In 2018, they had five night games, and last season, they topped out at six prime-time matchups. Obviously, a down year in 2019 has caused some of the shine to wear off in L.A., but the opening of SoFi Stadium will bring back whatever luster was lost.
The 2020 schedule will be released on Thursday night and the Rams figure to be in prime time plenty, given their opponents and their brand new stadium. But which games are the likeliest to end up in prime time? Let’s run through the top six candidates.
Rams vs. 49ers
This has a chance to be the opener at SoFi Stadium, and given the way San Francisco played last year, it’s almost sure to be in prime time. The Rams and 49ers have had some entertaining matchups the last few years, too, which makes this game even more intriguing.
There are plenty of storylines involving these teams, as well. Sean McVay vs. Kyle Shanahan. Jared Goff vs. Jimmy Garoppolo. Richard Sherman and Jalen Ramsey. The 49ers’ defensive line compared to the Rams’ front.
It’ll be a huge surprise if at least one of the Rams-49ers games isn’t in prime time, and given the hype surrounding SoFi Stadium’s first year, it should be L.A.’s home game that gets the nod under the lights.
Rams at Buccaneers
If not for Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, there’s almost no chance this game would be considered for prime time. But because of Brady and Gronk’s arrival in Tampa Bay, the Bucs will likely max out their prime-time allotment. And one of those games should be against the Rams.
The Rams and Bucs played an exciting shootout last season when Jameis Winston was there, and both teams feature explosive offenses that can put up points in a hurry. The added intrigue of Brady and Gronk being together again will be a huge draw, especially after they helped the Patriots beat the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
Rams vs. Cowboys
The Cowboys are in the mix to be the first team to face the Rams at SoFi Stadium – a game that’s almost guaranteed to be in prime time, regardless of who Los Angeles faces. The Cowboys draw huge ratings each week and they’ve developed a small rivalry with the Rams in recent years.
They’ve met three times since the 2017 season, including a thrilling playoff matchup in the playoffs two seasons ago.
On paper, the Cowboys look like one of the best teams in the NFL, too, and have the offense to go toe-to-toe with the Rams. No matter when this game is played, it should be a fun matchup with a ton of points. So why not put it in prime time for everyone to watch together?
Rams vs. Seahawks
Both Rams-Seahawks games were in prime time last year, which was the first prime-time matchup between these rivals since 2016. It’s one of the best rivalries in the NFC with four of the last six meetings being decided by fewer than seven points.
Both of these teams will be competing for playoff spots next season in a hyper-competitive NFC West, and each of their meetings should be slugfests – given both teams’ desire to run the ball.
This just has the makings of a prime time matchup thanks to their history together and the fact that it’s a divisional game.
Rams at Eagles
The Rams and Eagles played an exciting game two years ago when Philadelphia knocked off the Rams at the Coliseum, 30-23. It was the same game that Carson Wentz tore his ACL during, which paved the way for Nick Foles to lead Philadelphia to a Super Bowl win.
Both of these teams should be competitive in 2020, and the Eagles have a few new toys to put on display – namely Jalen Reagor and Jalen Hurts, depending on how the Eagles use their rookie quarterback.
There’s also the draw of a West Coast team facing an East Coast team in prime time, which widens the TV audience.
Rams vs. Patriots
It will be interesting to see how many prime-time games the NFL gives the Patriots now that Brady is gone. Jarrett Stidham doesn’t exactly scream big TV ratings, but there’s always a chance that New England will sign Cam Newton, which would drum up a lot of interest.
The biggest draw with this matchup is the fact that it’s a rematch of Super Bowl LIII. That alone is a storyline worth putting in prime time, not to mention the Patriots’ strong fanbase that will tune in for any and every game.
This also has the potential to be the SoFi Stadium opener, though the chances of that happening dropped precipitously after Brady left.
