3 scheduling scenarios that spell disaster for the LA Rams

Today’s the big day? Or at least that is how the fanfare, pomp, and pageantry would leave everyone to believe. Like trying to set sail in a cardboard box, the NFL had great intentions of a grand ceremonious unveiling of the 2021 NFL schedule. So far, the first-week NFL schedule is anything but a secret. So much for a grand illusion, er, ceremony.

Well, what did the NFL expect? Creating a news event like the grand official release takes a lot of planning and practice.  For NFL teams that played to empty stadium seating through much of the 2020 NFL season, they are starved for official news to begin ticket sales and start down the road to recovery and normalcy. So the NFL week one schedule is rumored to be available already.

Here is the initial report:

So we know who the Rams play, but the order of opponents can be just as important as who the opponents are. For example, the LA Rams hosted the rival Seattle Seahawks after their bye week. While the Rams won the contest, the Rams limped away with injuries to left tackle Andrew Whitworth, safety Taylor Rapp, and kicker Kai Forbath. Had that game occurred before the bye week, the LA Rams would have had ample time to get a fully comprehensive of all three players.

The LA Rams 2020 schedule was awfully back-loaded. In essence, the Rams cleared all four NFC East teams by week five, yet faced five of their six NFC West division games in the last eight games of the year. No other NFC West team had as many divisional games packed into the last half of the season. Similarly, the Rams had played half of their eight road games at the conclusion of week six.

So what types of scheduling nightmares should the LA Rams be on the lookout for?  Here are three that are the most concerning: