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Mick Cronin uses poker analogy to explain NIL impact on UCLA
The Los Angeles Rams are predicted to continue their success in the 2026 season, aiming for double-digit wins after a strong 12-5 record in 2025. Their challenging schedule includes games in Australia and seven prime-time matchups.
The Los Angeles Rams have won at least 10 games in each of the last three seasons, including a 12-5 campaign in 2025 that was tied for the fourth-most wins in franchise history. As the Super Bowl favorites, they have a great chance to win double-digit games again, but looking at the full schedule, it's going to be an incredibly difficult road.
They start things off in Australia against the 49ers before facing the Giants, Broncos, Eagles and Bills in the first five weeks. They get a little bit of a break in the middle but after the Week 11 bye, things get challenging again.
Additionally, their schedule is festive, with games on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Day â two of their whopping seven prime-time games, which ties an all-time high in the NFL.
So when it's all said and done, what will the Rams' record be? We went game by game and predicted the final score of each.
What a way for the Rams to start the season. They'll be in Australia to face the 49ers in the opener, a marquee game on Thursday night in Week 1. Both of these teams are serious Super Bowl contenders, and though it's a home game, the Rams will have no advantage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when it comes to the crowd.
George Kittle's status for Week 1 is up in the air, while the Rams should be fully healthy for this game. They'll kick off the season with a win over their rivals before heading back to the U.S. for Week 2.
The article provides game-by-game predictions for the Rams' 2026 season, estimating their final record.
The Rams will start their 2026 season in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Rams have seven prime-time games in the 2026 season, tying an all-time high in the NFL.
The Rams face a difficult schedule with tough opponents early in the season and challenging matchups after their Week 11 bye.
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Prediction: Win, 24-21 (1-0)
The Giants are going to be better than people think this year. John Harbaugh is a proven coach, Jaxson Dart is a playmaker when healthy and Malik Nabers is a budding superstar. Oh, and their defensive line is as deep as any.
The biggest question is how healthy Nabers will be, and when.
As promising as the outlook for the Giants is, the Rams still have far more talent and feature an offensive line that can neutralize New Yorkâs pass rush.
Prediction: Win, 20-17 (2-0)
The Broncosâ success will likely hinge on the play of Bo Nix in 2026. Heâll be coming off a severe ankle injury suffered last postseason, and though Denver will be carried by its defense, will that be enough against a high-powered Rams offense?
Mile High is always a tough environment to play in and Jaylen Waddle makes the Denver passing attack even more dangerous, testing the Ramsâ new-look secondary. It should be a close game but in the end, Denver will pull out a narrow victory.
Prediction: Loss, 20-17 (2-1)
Yes, the Rams are playing the Eagles in Philadelphia again. Though it feels like a yearly occurrence, itâs only the second regular-season meeting between these teams in Philly since 2021. The Rams have lost their last two road games to the Eagles in the 2024 playoffs and last season in September, so theyâll be looking to take down a team thatâs become a rival.
We donât know whatâs going to happen with A.J. Brown, and Jalen Hurts has regressed noticeably in the last year, so the Eagles may not be the juggernauts theyâve been lately â at least not on offense.
Prediction: Win, 24-23 (3-1)
The Bills have to travel all the way to SoFi Stadium to face the Rams, where these two teams played one of the best games of 2024 â a 44-42 shootout win by Los Angeles to overcome Josh Allenâs wizardry.
Now the Rams will have to contend with DJ Moore at wide receiver when they face the Bills, to go with Khalil Shakir, James Cook and Dalton Kincaid also on offense. Allen is the real difference-maker and this time, heâll get a little bit of help from his defense to take down the Rams.
Prediction: Loss, 27-24 (3-2)
Thereâs no way the Rams can lose to the Cardinals, who are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL, at home. Theyâve owned the Cardinals since Sean McVayâs been the head coach and that shouldnât change in 2026.
Mike LaFleur being hired as Arizonaâs new head coach helps the Cardinals a little bit, knowing what he does about the Rams, but this is must-win territory for L.A.
Prediction: Win, 31-13 (4-2)
We donât know whether it will be Fernando Mendoza or Kirk Cousins under center for this game, but regardless, the Rams wonât have much trouble knocking off the Raiders. This is a team thatâs lacking weapons on offense, has a terrible offensive line and a defense thatâs littered with holes.
This should be the Ramsâ most convincing win of the season, no matter which quarterback is starting under center.
Prediction: Win, 34-17 (5-2)
Are the Chargers going to Charger again this season? Justin Herbert gets the benefit of having Mike McDaniel as his new offensive coordinator, but the loss of Jesse Minter as the defensive coordinator hurts.
Itâs hard to trust the Chargers, but on paper, theyâre as talented as anyone. The Ramsâ secondary matches up well against the Chargersâ receivers, though, and their O-line shouldnât have much trouble keeping Matthew Stafford upright.
Prediction: Win, 30-24 (6-2)
The Commanders fell off hard last season after a magical run during Jayden Danielsâ rookie year. Itâs hard to know which version this team will be in 2026, but itâs probably somewhere in the middle.
Their receiving corps is shockingly weak and their backfield is nothing to write home about, leaving Daniels with very few weapons on offense. The Ramsâ pass rush will need to contain him as a runner, but their corners shouldnât have much trouble locking down Terry McLaurin and Co.
Prediction: Win, 30-20 (7-2)
The Cardinals are one of the few teams in the NFL that has no clear plan at quarterback, which makes them a real question mark. That being said, theyâre loaded with playmakers. As long as the Rams can contain Jeremiyah Love, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride, they should be in good shape.
Oh, and they canât let Michael Wilson go off again, either.
This should be a victory on the road for the Rams.
Prediction: Win, 31-24 (8-2)
The Rams are off in Week 11 before their Thanksgiving Eve game against the Packers.
Green Bay is going to be a tough out this season. Micah Parsons is a game-changer on the edge if heâs healthy, and Jordan Love should continue to take positive steps in his development as a starting quarterback. The receiver room looks different with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone, but second-year pro Matthew Golden should fill the void and could be an upgrade.
Even on the road, the Packers will steal this one from the Rams on Thanksgiving Eve.
Prediction: Loss, 28-27 (8-3)
Patrick Mahomesâ health is the biggest question mark for the Chiefs in 2026 but with this game being so late in the year, he should be available â and it makes Kansas City much more dangerous. With Rashee Rice, Kenneth Walker III, Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce on offense, Mahomes still has plenty of playmakers.
Defensively, the secondary lost Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams, but Mansoor Delane was the top corner in the draft and Nohl Williams is a quality No. 2. It should be a bounce-back year for the Chiefs in 2026, but it helps the Rams significantly being at home.
Prediction: Win, 28-26 (9-3)
The Rams are fortunate they donât have to play this game in Mexico City like Kyle Shanahan wanted to, but Leviâs Stadium isnât much easier. If the 49ers can manage to stay healthy this season, theyâre going to be a team to contend with. Nick Bosa will be back, as will Fred Warner â and the 49ers also added back Dre Greenlaw and acquired Osa Odighizuwa.
Assuming Kittle is back for this game, the 49ers could be tough to slow down on offense.
Prediction: Loss, 30-27 (9-4)
Dallas has made some major changes to its abysmal defense, which now boasts Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark and Caleb Downs on that side of the ball. The offense should remain explosive with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but the Rams are the more complete team.
Los Angeles will take care of business at home and remind the Cowboys that their defense still isnât up to snuff just yet.
Prediction: Win, 30-26 (10-4)
This is perhaps the Ramsâ biggest test of 2026. They have to go on the road to Seattle, where they lost two games to the Seahawks last season â including the NFC title game. The crowd will be raucous and the defense will be suffocating, testing every aspect of the Ramsâ offense.
Seattle is always a difficult place to play, but this is one of the better Seahawks teams weâve seen in recent memory, even without Walker. The Seahawks will win a dog fight at home over the Rams.
Prediction: Loss, 24-23 (10-5)
The Buccaneers absolutely crumbled and missed the playoffs last season, and theyâll now be picking up the pieces without Lavonte David and Mike Evans. While they could bounce back and have a strong season in what might be a weak NFC South, the Bucs donât look like real contenders in 2026.
On the road in a warm environment, the Rams will put together a dominant performance against Tampa Bay.
Prediction: Win, 28-17 (11-5)
The Seahawks are the biggest threat to the Rams not only in the NFC West, but the conference as a whole. They split the regular-season series last year, with each team winning at home, which could be the case once again in 2026.
As good as Mike Macdonaldâs defense is, Seattleâs offense could take a step back without Kenneth Walker III in the backfield. And with the Ramsâ defense improved on paper, this is a game Los Angeles should win at home in the season finale.
Prediction: Win, 23-20 (12-5)
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: LA Rams schedule: Game-by-game score predictions for 2026 season