Rams 2023 Schedule Game-By-Game Analysis
The Los Angeles Rams finally have their schedule for the 2023 NFL season. Now that the offseason is effectively over, it's feels appropriate to start attempting to predict the upcoming season, with emphasis on "attempt."
With that said, here is a game-by-game prediction for the Rams' entire 2023 slate.
Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks
The Rams begin this season exactly where they ended last one, at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Seahawks are looking to build on their surprise playoff appearance in 2022, and a season-opening win over a rebuilding L.A. team is a good start.
Record: 0-1
Week 2: San Francisco 49ers
Two straight divisional matchups to open the season for the Rams as their next game is an in-state matchup with the 49ers. These teams may have met in the NFC Championship Game just 15 months ago, but they're very different teams now than they were then. With San Francisco still looking like one of the league's elite, it's hard to see them dropping this one.
Record: 0-2
Week 3: at Cincinnati Bengals (MNF)
It doesn't get any easier for the Rams in Week 3. Of course, this game is a rematch of Super Bowl LVI, which L.A. won in thrilling fashion. However, the Bengals are still mostly the same team that played in that game, while the Rams are not. A win here wouldn't erase the Super Bowl loss for the Bengals, but it would still feel good regardless.
Record: 0-3
Week 4: at Indianapolis Colts
The Rams finally catch a bit of a break in Week 4. A road game against Indianapolis and rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson isn't exactly a walk in the park, but it's heaven compared to the murderer's row the Rams have to begin the season. L.A. finally gets in the win column with this game.
Record: 1-3
Week 5: Philadelphia Eagles
Hopefully, for the Rams' sake, they do get that win, because it's immediately back into the fire as the defending NFC Champion Eagles come to town next. The Eagles look like the class of the conference once again this season, so the Rams shouldn't be too much of a challenge.
Record: 1-4
Week 6: Arizona Cardinals
Another divisional matchup, but this time the Rams look to be the favorites. The Cardinals are clearly entering a rebuilding period, and Kyler Murray's absence to start the season won't help them win this game.
Record: 2-4
Week 7: Pittsburgh Steelers
This could be a situation where having low expectations helps the Rams. The Steelers have stumbled in the past against subpar competition, and if they start the season well enough, they could overlook the Rams too. It won't be easy, but L.A. pulls off the upset here.
Record: 3-4
Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
Unfortunately for the Rams, this is where the short winning streak comes to an end. Dallas looks like a threat in the NFC and should be a playoff team once again. The home crowd powers the Cowboys to a win at AT&T Stadium.
Record: 3-5
Week 9: at Green Bay Packers
This marks the fourth consecutive season the Rams have traveled to Green Bay, counting the Divisional Round game in the 2020 playoffs. However, the Packers will look very different this year with Jordan Love taking Aaron Rodgers' place under center. This result will likely depend on how well Love steps into the role, but the Packers look like the better team right now.
Record: 3-6
Week 10: BYE
The bye for L.A. comes at pretty much the exact midpoint of the season. The Rams will be fortunate to get a break after back-to back-losses on the road. Last season, the Rams lost six straight games following the bye week, so they'll have to avoid the same fate this time.
Week 11: Seattle Seahawks
Another game against Seattle kicks off the second half of the season for L.A. The home crowd should make this a closer game than the season opener, but Seattle comes away with another win.
Record: 3-7
Week 12: at Arizona Cardinals
Another matchup between the two teams most predict will be at the bottom of the NFC West. The Rams may not be great this season, but they should still be good enough to sweep the lowly Cardinals.
Record: 4-7
Week 13: Cleveland Browns
This one is tough to gauge. So much of Cleveland's season rests on quarterback Deshaun Watson returning to the elite form he had with the Houston Texans, but that's a huge question mark right now. If he looks more like he did in his debut season with the Browns, the Rams could steal this game away.
Record: 5-7
Week 14: at Baltimore Ravens
Back-to-back AFC North matchups for the Rams, but this one looks much tougher. The Ravens will likely be fighting for the division at this point in the season, and a win over L.A. will be huge for them.
Record: 5-8
Week 15: Washington Commanders
The Rams enter the final quarter of the season with a home match against the Commanders. Neither team has high expectations this season, but L.A. has more star power with quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive lineman Aaron Donald. That star power should propel the Rams to a late-season victory.
Record: 6-8
Week 16: New Orleans Saints (TNF)
L.A.'s final home game of the season is a Thursday night matchup against New Orleans, one of only two primetime games on the Rams' slate. The Saints have some expectations this season after signing quarterback Derek Carr, and look like the best team in the lowly NFC South right now. With a lot more to play for, they'll win this game.
Record: 6-9
Week 17: at New York Giants
After a min-break following the Saints game, the Rams travel across the country for a date with the Giants on New Year's Eve. New York made a surprise playoff appearance last season and will be looking to replicate that success again. If the Giants want to prove themselves as a playoff team, they'll beat the Rams.
Record: 6-10
Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers
With the playoffs well out of reach at this point, the Rams close the season with a road game against their biggest rival. If the 49ers have nothing to play for in terms of seeding and resting their starters, then the Rams could end their season on a high note. Otherwise, this should be another win for San Francisco.
Record: 6-11
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