Rams Schedule Breakdown: NFL Gives Los Angeles One of the Toughest Roads in 2026

**Opening in Australia**

We’ve known for months that the Rams would open the season against the 49ers in Australia, but that doesn’t make the travel any less challenging. At least the Rams return to face the Giants in Week 2 with extra rest, which could help offset some of the disadvantage from opening internationally.

**Most brutal early-season stretch: Weeks 3-5**

Two weeks after the opener against San Francisco, the Rams travel to Denver to face the Broncos in Week 3, then fly across the country to Philadelphia before returning home to host Josh Allen and the Bills. With four primetime games in the first five weeks, do the Rams have the toughest early-season schedule in the NFL?

**Brutal late-season stretch: Weeks 12-18**

The Rams finish the year against a gauntlet of playoff-caliber opponents: the Seahawks twice, plus the 49ers, Packers, Chiefs, Buccaneers, and Cowboys. That stretch reinforces how important it will be for Sean McVay to avoid the slow starts that have plagued the Rams in previous seasons. L.A. can’t afford to enter Thanksgiving with a 5-5 record — or worse — and expect to survive this closing stretch.

Rams 2026 schedule:

Week 1 – “vs” 49ers, Melbourne, 9/10 Week 2 – vs Giants, MNF, 9/21 Week 3 – at Broncos, SNF, 9/27 Week 4 – at Eagles, 10/4 Week 5 – vs Bills, MNF, 10/12 Week 6 – vs Cardinals, 10/18 Week 7 – at Raiders, 10/25 Week 8 – vs Chargers, 11/1 Week 9 – at Commanders, 11/8 Week 10 – at Cardinals, 11/15 Week 11 – BYE Week 12 – vs Packers, Thanksgiving Eve, 11/25 Week 13 – vs Chiefs, TNF, 12/3 Week 14 – at 49ers, 12/13 Week 15 – vs Cowboys, 12/20 Week 16 – at Seahawks, 12/25 Week 17 – vs Bucs, 1/2 or 1/3 Week 18 – vs Seahawks, 1/9 or 1/10