LA Rams Between the Horns crew talk 2021 schedule release

The LA Rams 2021 NFL schedule is out, and now we are all lining up to talk about the way the timing of opponents creates challenges and opportunities. Of course, you’ve already heard from Jay Blucher about the season opener, and I’ve done my best to grab your hand to race you through the entire 17 game schedule in a rapid review & reveal.

This is the debut season of the NFL’s 17-game regular-season schedule. The latest NFL-NFLPA collective bargaining agreement provided for an expanded season by eliminating one of the NFL’s four preseason games.  That means that the LA Rams will only have three preseason games under their belts before hosting the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium in the first fans-in-the-stands game for the LA Rams at their new home.

In addition to the perennial tough NFC West rivals, the LA Rams will face the NFC North, the AFC South, and the second-place teams from other NFL conferences. Likewise, the Seattle Seahawks have drawn first-place teams in their schedule, the Arizona Cardinals have drawn third-place teams in their schedule, and the San Francisco 49ers will only need to face last-place teams in their ‘other’ games in 2021.

But now that is over with, we can slow down the pace, and call on some experts. For starters, let’s turn to the LA Rams own Between the Horns breakdown hosted by Sarina Morales, J.B. Long, and Kirk Morrison to lead the post-schedule breakdown.

This year, the LA Rams could initiate three of the five first-round quarterbacks chosen in this draft with the chance to face the Chicago Bears rookie QB Justin Fields, the San Francisco 49ers rookie QB Trey Lance, and the Jacksonville Jaguars rookie QB Trevor Lawrence. Of course, on the opposing quarterbacks, the LA Rams will face former quarterback Jared Goff and defensive lineman Michael Brockers this year as well.

Kirk Morrison likes the Rams opening at SoFi Stadium and ending up at SoFi Stadium. He also likes the fact that the Rams will play indoors in the cold wintry month of December, as all games will be played in domed stadiums.  But the Rams will face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field after Thanksgiving, and will also travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens after New Year’s Day, Both contests could be cold and snowy.

J.B. Long likes that week 11 BYE, and the week five short week with a Thursday Night Football game at the Seattle Seahawks.  He also points out that the Rams will not face any team coming off their bye week, which is huge.

Sarina Morales sees a difficult season for the Rams with this layout. The Rams face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers again, last season’s Super Bowl Champions. The New York Giants on the road is a tough draw, as they did not go down easily in Los Angeles in 2020.  She also pointed out that the controversy at quarterback for the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers places those games a bit up in the air.

The LA Rams get five NFL primetime contests this year, and it could grow to more later in the season if the Rams play well.  Of course, that is right up new QB Matthew Stafford’s wheelhouse, as he is quite familiar with the Chicago Bears. In fact, Stafford has beaten the Bears 11 times, more than any other NFL team in his career.

The crew is feeling good about the LA Rams chances this year. How about you?