Game-by-game predictions for 2023 LA Rams schedule

How well will the LA Rams do in 2023? That's a difficult matter to predict because the players on the LA Rams roster are almost entirely new. Well, more than half of them are rookies. And of the returning veterans, we truly have not seen them in significant contributing roles of the past. So this year's Rams schedule is truly a bit more of a shot in the dark than usual.

If you want to get a sneak preview, the LA Rams play eight home games and nine games on the road. And thanks to the Rams' location on the map, the Rams will once again be one of the most traveled teams of the 2023 NFL season. And at 5:00 pm PT, the schedule magically appeared on the official LA Rams website.

Game-by-Game predictions for 2022 Rams schedule release: Week 1

Week 1 - Sun. Sep. 10 @ 1:25 pm - at Seattle Seahawks: The LA Rams played the Seattle Seahawks quite closely in their two losses in 2022. That was despite the fact that the LA Rams were battered and bruised. But in both games, the Rams had DB Jalen Ramsey in the secondary. As much as I'd love to believe otherwise, I simply do not believe that the Rams' secondary can contain the Seahawks' receivers in Seattle without Ramsey in that secondary.

The Rams' offense will need to put up a ton of points to stay in this one, and for the first half of the game, that is what happens. But this is a young Rams team that is apt to make a mistake or two, and those mistakes let this one get out of hand. Seahawks 44 Rams 28 LOSS (0-1)

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)

Game-by-Game predictions for 2022 Rams schedule release: Weeks 4 and 5

Week 4 - Sun. Oct. 1 @ 10:00 am - at Indianapolis Colts: The LA Rams face an opponent that is at parity with the same task at hand, trying to become relevant after a dismal 2022 season. They are a team to be reckoned with, in the future. But for the 2023 NFL season, I fear that the Colts will need to show a bit more patience. Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will need time. That will give starter to soon-be backup quarterback Gardner Minshew enough time to stir the pot of quarterback controversy in this one.

The Colts will improve steadily throughout the 2023 NFL season, but the LA Rams will too. I believe that the restocked LA Rams pass rush will make a huge impact on the outcome of this game. The Rams need a win, and they get one at Indianapolis, Indiana. Rams 27 Colts 21 WIN (1-3)

Week 5

Week 5 - Sun. Oct. 8 @ 1:05 pm - vs. Philadelphia Eagles: The Rams would love to test where they are against the defending NFC Champions, but the Philadelphia Eagles feel like a team that got stronger and the LA Rams clearly did not. The Eagles drafted with precision, committing just seven picks during the three-day event and adding two offensive depth players while adding five defensive players, four of whom could make an impact as early as their rookie season. The Rams will have many more rookies making an impact for them in this game, but that is born out of necessity, rather than the highly competitive situation of the Rams roster.

The Eagles are a matchup nightmare for the Rams' young defense, as they can pass all day, and run for miles, and their tenacity is such that they will run on passing downs and pass on running downs. Worse yet, this is the type of game that seems to strike Rams head coach Sean McVay in his pride, compelling him to pass when it is wiser and safer throughout a 17-game season to run more and risk veteran quarterback less. I am not confident that the Rams can and will resist the urge to go all-pass in this one. It could get ugly if they do. Eagles 41 Rams 21 LOSS (1-4)

Game-by-Game predictions for 2022 Rams schedule release: Weeks 6 and 7

Week 6 - Sun. Oct. 15 @ 1:25 pm - vs. Arizona Cardinals: I really don't believe that the Arizona Cardinals are in any shape to compete in the 2023 NFL season. Despite the fact that I was impressed with the debut of the Arizona Cardinals' new GM Monti Ossenfort. Still, the Cardinals have quarterback Kyler Murray under center, and I cannot believe in that team as long as he is their quarterback until he proves that he has matured and can truly lead that offense.

In the meantime, the Cardinals did improve via the 2023 NFL Draft and will improve far more in the 2024 NFL Draft. The question is, who wins this game between two renovating teams? I'll lean towards the LA Rams in this one, as I simply do not know that the Cardinals will win many games at all in 2023. But this is likely one of the games that they have a better-than-typical chance of victory. I simply will go with it not happening. Rams 24 Cardinals 17 WIN (2-4)

Week 7

Week 7 - Sun. Oct. 22 @ 1:05 pm - vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: The LA Rams face a rejuvenated Pittsburgh Steelers team that managed to stay above .500 despite suffering a lousy season. And with a roster that appears much stronger this season, can the Steelers make some noise? That is the hope of Steelers fans. This is a blue-collar tough-as-nails team that will put the LA Rams through all their paces, and the Rams will know by the end of this game just how far they've come and just how far they will need to go.

It's not that I think that the Steelers will be a 2023 powerhouse by any means. I simply expect the Steelers to play fundamentally sound football, and for the Rams to win, this team will need to compete in the trenches with very fundamentally sound football as well. I'm just not convinced that the Rams will be there with so many rookies on the team. I believe that the Rams can flash some promising plays in this one, but an error or gaffe will do them in. Steelers 28 Rams 17 LOSS (2-5)

Game-by-Game predictions for 2022 Rams schedule release: Weeks 8 and 9

Week 8 - Sun. Oct. 29 @ 10:00 am - at Dallas Cowboys: The Dallas Cowboys are one of those teams that are simply easy to hate. Perhaps it stems from the "America's Team," moniker that truly does not apply if it ever did. Perhaps it's that history of getting incredibly favorable treatment from NFL officiating? Perhaps it's that annual scheduling advantage of playing at home each season on Thanksgiving Day. Whatever the underlying reasons, it's just one of those games, alongside those played against the San Francisco 49ers, where a victory is just a tad sweeter.

Unfortunately, the Rams must face a very competitive NFC East on a down year, and that makes this contest a bit one-sided. I'm just not convinced that the LA Rams offensive line has the right starters playing in this one, nor am I convinced that the Rams will not become too pass-happy if the team falls behind in the scoreboard. The Cowboys have a pretty good defense that is susceptible to a balanced offense. That is not what the Rams will throw at them. Cowboys 31 Rams 13 LOSS (2-6)

Week 9

Week 9 - Sun. Nov. 5 @ 10:00 am - at Green Bay Packers: What is it about the NFL schedulers that insist on the LA Rams competing in Green Bay Wisconsin on an annual basis? Whatever the cause, the Rams must gird for vigorous competition at the home of cheese curds once more. This is a new Green Bay Packers, a team that must compete without long-time veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The only question now is, can the depleted Rams defeat the depleted Packers?

In terms of quarterback play, the Packers will start third-year quarterback Justin Love, a player who was drafted by the Packers with the 26th overall pick in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft. That means that the Packers will not be starting over. I'd love to see the Rams finally upset the Packers at Lambeau, but I just can't see it this season. Packers 30 Rams 21 LOSS (2-7)

Game-by-Game predictions for 2022 Rams schedule release: Weeks 10 -12

Week 10 BYE

The BYE week is well timed for the LA Rams, who could crawl into the BYE week with a record of 1-8. But even if that comes to pass, keep in mind that the Rams have a wonderful 2024 NFL Draft ahead, as well as a young team that is only going to improve as the season progresses.

Week 11

Week 11- Sun. Nov. 19 @ 1:25 pm - vs. Seattle Seahawks: I believe that the LA Rams will be an underdog at home against the Seattle Seahawks, but that this game will be very close, much closer than NFL pundits or prognosticators expect. After all, the Seahawks can play the other NFC West teams closely, but the LA Rams always seem to play them close. Now the question is, will the Rams be able to keep pace in 2023?

The Seahawks were expected to struggle in 2022, but the inspired play of long-time backup quarterback Geno Smith led the Seahawks to an unexpected 2022 NFL Playoff berth, thanks to a 9-8 record. But the Seahawks earned a much toughed 2023 NFL schedule as a reward, and they will also need to strike up a balance of starting inexperienced rookies with high upsides or experienced veterans who have plateaued. The Seahawks exceeded expectations in 2022, but I fear they will underwhelm in 2023. They will likely have enough gas in the tank to win at Los Angeles, but only by the skin of their teeth. Seahawks 28 Rams 27 LOSS (2-8)

Week 12

Week 12 - Sun. Nov. 26 @ 1:25 pm - at Arizona Cardinals: The LA Rams and the Arizona Cardinals were neck and neck in 2022. Unfortunately, they competed for a better draft position than the final record. The Rams finished at 5-12, and the Arizona Cardinals finished at 4-13. The two teams split their series in 2022, with both teams winning on the other team's home field. Now the Cardinals must try to reboot the team, so how well will that go? The Cardinals did a bit of razzle dazzle maneuvering in Round 1 that was certainly worth noting.

But even as both teams are familiar foes, I have to lean to the LA Rams in this contest. The Cardinals have the right matchup to win a game or two in the NFC West, but I don't see them matching up well enough to the LA Rams in this one. Matthew Stafford gets the protection he needs to surgically disassemble the Cardinals defense. And the Rams know how to make QB Kyler Murray uncomfortable. This is not all Rams, but it's a pretty win: Rams 30 Cardinals 17 WIN (3-8)

Game-by-Game predictions for 2022 Rams schedule release: Weeks 13 and 14

Week 13 - Sun. Dec. 3 @ 1:25 pm - vs. Cleveland Browns: The Cleveland Browns always seem to be that team that is anointed by NFL pundits and analysts as a team that is going to make the playoffs. And yet, they seem to fall short of doing so each year. This was a team that traded a king's ransom to the Houston Texans for QB Deshaun Watson. But, quite truthfully, Watson was not the game-changer many expected him to be in 2022. He led the Browns to a 3-3 record in the final six games, but those wins occured as he averaged just 150 yards passing per game. That's not the stuff that the Browns bought.

Unfortunately, I don't believe the Rams pass defense will be up to snuff when it comes to shutting down Watson and the Browns passing game. If the Rams can keep a lid on Watson, they have a chance in this one. But as I am not confident enough in the Rams secondary without proof, I have to give the nod, reluctantly, to the Browns: Browns 28 Rams 27 LOSS (3-9)

Week 14

Week 14 - Sun. Dec. 10 @ 10:00 am - at Baltimore Ravens: The Baltimore Ravens feel like a team whose players on their roster are all on the same page. This is a team that has weathered the off-season storm, drafted well enough to be lauded by NFL draft analysts, and seems to have turned all of their internal angst outwards now to face the 2023 NFL season. For the Rams, the Ravens are an excellent test of physicality. And for the Ravens, the Rams are just one more team to tune up against during the regular season.

I don't think that the Rams will win this one outright, but I do believe that the Rams will make a game of this one. The Rams' rush defense will help to contain the power running game of the Ravens, and the Rams will sneak a few surprises in that will keep this one close. Ravens 28 Rams 27 LOSS (3-10)

Game-by-Game predictions for 2022 Rams schedule release: Weeks 15 and 16

Week 15 - Sun Dec 17 @ 1:05 pm - vs. Washington Commanders: The LA Rams must face the very competitive NFC Eastern Division, and the 2023 NFL season finds them hosting the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders. I like the Rams' chances against the Commanders must more than I do against the Eagles. Why? Despite finishing the season at 8-8-1, the Commanders have plenty of question marks, starting at the quarterback position. The Commanders' strategy is simple: Roll with second-year quarterback Sam Howell and see what happens. If he does well, he is a cheap quarterback who can play. If he does not do well, then the Commanders have a backup with experience when they draft a franchise QB in the 2024 NFL Draft.

I think it will be the latter. While the LA Rams may be in the market for a franchise quarterback of their own, I believe that they will have enough oomph in them to win a game here. The Rams offense still has plenty of firepower, and they simply outclass the Commanders' ability to score this week. In the end, Stafford passes the Rams to victory: Rams 27 Commanders 19 WIN (4-10)

Week 16: Thursday Night Football

Week 16 - Thu. Dec. 21 @ 5:15 pm - vs. New Orleans Saints: The fans of the New Orleans Saints have not forgotten the LA Rams' victory over the Saints on their way to Super Bowl LIII, and won't have forgotten about this matchup either. While the Saints are coming off a 7-10 record from the 2022 NFL season, they did pick up veteran quarterback Derek Carr, who will be incredibly motivated after being shown the door by the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Saints had a decent enough off-season, and any team in the NFC South Division has to believe that they have a shot at winning the division. After all, the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers led the team to the Division Title with only an 8-9 record, while all three other NFC South teams ended one game behind with a record of 7-10. The difference in this game will simply be the fact that the Saints have more continuity and veterans, while the Rams will be a young energetic group. The Saints are not as good as the final score in this one, and the Rams are not as bad as the final score in this one. Saints 45 Rams 17 LOSS (4-11)

Game-by-Game predictions for 2022 Rams schedule release: Weeks 17 and 18

Week 17 - Sun. Dec 31 @ 10:00 am - at New York Giants: The New York Giants are coming off a 9-7-1 season, and having extending quarterback Daniel Jones is one of the darlings of the NFL for the 2023 NFL season. The Rams are winding up a long 2023 NFL season, but there is still some gas left in the tank to shock the NFL.

The Giants lost three times to the Philadelphia Eagles and twice to the Dallas Cowboys, They were 9-3-1 to the rest of the NFL last year. It's that 2022 record that makes the Giants ripe for an upset. The LA Rams are going to win some games, and in this instance, I think the Giants simply come out a bit flat-footed to the Rams. If the Rams can put up an early lead, and I think that they can, they can sneak away with a win. Rams 30 Giants 20 WIN (5-11)

Week 18

Week 18 - TBD - at San Francisco 49ers: When the LA Rams travel to play the San Francisco 49ers. the 2023 NFL version of these two teams will truly be the tale of David versus Goliath. Even as the 49ers had so much hubris during the 2023 NFL Draft that they drafted their kicker on Day 2 of the draft, they have a roster that is pretty much as formidable as a year ago. The same cannot be said of the LA Rams. this year.

Can the LA Rams score against that 49ers defense? If they cannot, this is no contest. But the Rams are not totally without weapons. With an infusion of tough-as-nails rookies on offense, a completely new special teams, and a 49ers team that will struggle not to look past this Rams rebuild, there is a chance of a trap game. If this were at San Francisco, I'd take the LA Rams to surprise. But it's not to be in this one. Rams take a loss in this one: 49ers 31 Rams 24 LOSS (5-12)