NFL schedule makers couldn't have predicted Rams' tough opening to 2025

When the NFL schedulers set up the 2025 season, the Los Angeles Rams' opponents were already assigned.

But schedulers still have a huge role to play, as the order of opponents is often more important than the opponents themselves. As soon as the schedule came out, fans gasped at what appeared to be a gauntlet of opponents who were expected to contend for playoff berths this season.

After five weeks, the teams vying for playoff berths have changed dramatically. The 1-4 Baltimore Ravens and 2-3 Houston Texans are struggling in the early going in 2025. But the 4-1 Indianapolis Colts, 4-1 Philadelphia Eagles, 4-1 San Francisco, and 4-1 Jacksonville Jaguars are not.

And Los Angeles must face the Jaguars in England in Week 8, just one week after taking on the Ravens.

While this is the second time for Los Angeles to compete in the United Kingdom, it's the first time general manager Les Snead must face his protege, Jaguars GM James Gladstone.

Gladstone and first-year head coach Liam Coen have wholly turned the situation in Jacksonville around, meaning the Rams will face yet another unexpected test that would have been hard to anticipate when the schedule came out last spring.

What can Rams fans expect in Week 7 against Jaguars?

A Week 6 matchup against the Ravens still looms, and the context may change drastically before Snead and Co. head across the pond. But the presumptive matchup against the Jaguars figures to be a major test.

LA has the more productive offense, putting up 401.8 yards per game, while the Jaguars are more efficient, scoring 25.4 points per game. The Rams have a stronger passing game, while the Jags' strength lies in their running game.

Defensively, the Rams dominate in run defense, allowing just 93.6 rushing yards per game. The Jaguars boast a strong rush defense, but have allowed 250.4 passing yards, which is 27th-ranked in the NFL. That bodes well for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been performing at his best pace since putting the Horns on his helmet.

In fact, he should perform very well in the next two games, as the Ravens defense is incredibly vulnerable to the pass this season as well. The Ravens average 262.6 passing yards allowed per game, which means Week 6 might shape up to be something of a primer for the following week's bout.

After five weeks, Los Angeles has faced the top-three NFL teams. After seven weeks, LA will have faced four playoff contenders. No, the NFL schedulers couldn't have predicted the Rams' tough opening before the Week 8 bye. But to be fair, everyone expected the Texans and Ravens to be jockeying for postseason position by this point in time. The Colts and Jaguars merely took their spots in the schedule as tough opponents.

While the schedule is no cake-walk after the bye, it does become more manageable. If the Rams can coast into a Week 8 bye with five-plus wins, this could still be an impressive season.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

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