Well, folks, the opening week of the NFL season is finally here. Teams all across the league are set to begin their journey towards taking home the Lombardi Trophy in February.
For the Rams, that journey begins this Sunday night, as Matthew Stafford and company travel to Detroit for a rematch of last season’s wild-card tilt. Obviously, in the NFL, every single game is important. With only 17 games, the room for error is minute, especially in the more competitive divisions in the league. Despite this fact, there are typically a handful of games that shape a team’s season, and, for the Rams, I believe there will be six such games.
Here are the six games that will shape the Rams’ season:
Week 1 at Detroit Lions
This is a no-brainer in my eyes. The storylines, the wild-card game from last season, and two teams who are seen as contenders in the NFC. Los Angeles looks to avenge the 24-23 loss in the wild-card round against Detroit and prove they belong in the conversation to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Week 5 vs. Green Bay Packers
Yes, the second season-shaping game is yet another opponent from the NFC North in the Green Bay Packers. Much like Detroit, media members and fans alike are very high on the Packers. With the emergence of Jordan Love and an unexpected playoff run last season, Green Bay is seen as one of the top dogs in the conference.
Week 9 at Seattle Seahawks
As many know, every divisional showdown is important. With that being said, Week 9 in Seattle has the potential to hold some serious weight in the race for the NFC West. Seattle’s new head coach Mike MacDonald with instantly bring improvements to the Seattle defense and, with a crowd as rowdy as the 12th Man, winning in Seattle becomes increasingly difficult. Wins in hostile environments prove the resiliency of a team, Week 9 will give LA a shot to prove such.
Week 10 vs. Miami Dolphins
Back-to-back huge games for the Rams, as Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins come to town for a showdown on Monday Night Football. Jalen Ramsey returns to LA for the first time since his departure, which is poetic because the Rams secondary will be put to the ultimate test. The aforementioned Hill and Waddle both bring incomparable speed to stretch defenses to their absolute limits. The Rams defense will be put to the test on national television against what is projected to be a high-powered Miami offensive attack.
Week 12 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia comes to town for a Week 12 Sunday Night Football tilt that will surely impact the seeding in the NFC playoff picture. During the offseason, much like the Rams, the Eagles focused on reinforcing what was a below-average from last season. On Philadelphia’s offense, the free agent acquisition of Running Back Saquon Barkley will almost certainly bring one of the most balanced offensive units in the entire league.
Week 15 at San Francisco 49ers
If all goes to plan for the Rams in the 2024 season, then this Week 15 matchup in San Francisco will be for the NFC West crown. The Rams notably struggle against the 49ers (we’ll always have the NFC Championship), however, this year may be a different story. Los Angeles should be able to run the football on what looked like – at times last season – a vulnerable San Francisco run defense. Nevertheless, it would not shock me if this week 15 game gets flexed into a prime-time spot given the potential for divisional ramifications at stake.
