Game-by-game predictions for 2023 LA Rams schedule

Game-by-Game predictions for 2022 Rams schedule release: Weeks 2 and 3

Week 2 - Sun. Sep. 17 @ 1:05 pm - vs. San Francisco 49ers: The LA Rams are no longer on the 49ers' list of rivals because the 49ers seem to walk into SoFi Stadium and win just by showing up. That will change someday, but 2023 simply does not feel like the season that long-awaited losing streak in the regular season to the 49ers ends for Rams fans. But I do think that the Rams' youthful and energetic defense can give the 49ers predictable offense fits in this one.

I don't need to study weekly charts of trends and analyze 53 players on the 49ers roster to know that they have planned against the Rams. The 49ers will run the football 30+ times, will pass often enough and far enough to keep moving the chains, and keep testing the Rams' patience to try and break the game wide open with a huge pass play, which will inevitably backfire for the Rams. But 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has no more of an idea of what the Rams can do than Rams head coach Sean McVay does. I think the Rams rush defense steps up behind ILB Ernest Jones, and this one becomes a defensive struggle. Eventually, the Rams will try to open up their offense, and that will once again backfire on the team. 49ers 13 Rams 10 LOSS (0-2)

Week 3: Monday Night Football

Week 3 - Mon. Sep. 25 @ 5:15 pm - at Cincinnati Bengals: The LA Rams won the game when it mattered most, during Super Bowl LVI. Since that game, the Bengals have continued to be in the running for another Super Bowl appearance, while the LA Rams have suffered a deep plummet in terms of competitiveness. These two teams met in 2022 during the preseason, a game in which the Bengals won by a score of 16-7.

The Rams are simply too young for this one, and the Bengals are simply too motivated. In many games on the Rams 2023 schedule, the Rams will not be much to motivate their opponent to bring their A-game. Don't look for the Bengals to overlook the Rams this time either. I'd like the outcome to be different, but . . . Bengals 35 Rams 17 LOSS (0-3)