The NFL isn’t giving the Los Angeles Rams any time to ease into the 2023 season. They’ll be tested right away with three consecutive games against playoff teams from last season in the first three weeks: at Seattle, versus the 49ers and at the Bengals.
Those teams combined to go 34-16 last season, each making the postseason – with the 49ers and Bengals winning their divisions. We’ll quickly learn what type of team the Rams will be in 2023, either a pleasant surprise or a group that can’t compete with the best in the NFL.
Sean McVay welcomes the challenge of facing three playoff teams to start the year and he’s looking forward to getting started with his team.
“I think you love it,” McVay said on NFL Network Thursday night. “That’s what’s great about the NFL. Three playoff teams. Obviously, tremendous respect and we have familiarity. There’s been continuity on all three of those staffs. But they’ve earned the right, they’ve done a great job. Seattle’s always a great place to play. Tremendous respect for those guys, but this is why you get into this. You love these challenges and looking forward to competing with this team and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
After facing those three teams to begin the year, the Rams will then take on the Colts and Eagles in the following two weeks. They should be able to beat the Colts, who might be starting a rookie quarterback, but it’s possible Los Angeles will start the year 1-4 in that tough stretch.
The Rams’ entire schedule is pretty difficult, featuring additional matchups with the Cowboys, Packers and Ravens. But things can’t get much worse than their 5-12 record from a season ago, especially if they’re able to stay healthy.
