Game-by-game predictions for Los Angeles Rams' 2024 NFL Schedule

Game-by-Game predictions for 2024 Rams schedule release: Weeks 16 -17

Week 16 – 12/22 – LA Rams @ New York Jets

If you believe that the New York Jets are not dangerous with veteran QB Aaron Rodgers back under center, I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. Without Rodgers in 2023, the Jets managed to pull off a 7-10 finish. With Rodgers, you can equate four more wins without exerting any brain power at all. The Jets' offensive line was not very good in 2023, ergo the early season-ending injury to Rodgers.

But the Jets made a concerted effort to improve the protection for Rodgers. Combining an upgraded offensive line with RB Breece Hall and a healthy Rodgers will lift this team to a much more potent offense in 2024.

I don't like this game for two reasons. For openers, this is a road game for the Rams that sends them to the East Coast, and three time zones earlier in terms of kickoff time. But the second reason, and the more critical factor, is that this is a game against former 49ers DC Robert Saleh, who is the current head coach of the New York Jets. Due to his extensive NFC West experience, he is all too familiar with the LA Rams and the team's tendencies, game plans, and personnel.
The LA Rams do not enjoy the same level of familiarity.

Of course, on any given Sunday, the Rams certainly have the feel of a team that has a legitimate shot of winning on any given week, particularly in this game. But overall, the Rams are going to lose some games. My prediction in this one is bound to the final record of the team as much as the individual variables of this contest. The Rams will lose games and the likelihood of a loss in this game is greater than other contests on the schedule. I could go either way in this one. For this game-by-game prediction, it's the Rams who come up short.

Final Score:
LA Rams 19
New York Jets: 24

Week 17 - 12/29 - Arizona Cardinals vs. LA Rams

By this point in the season, you are probably safe to expect the Cardinals to be without QB Kyler Murray. Like many dual-threat quarterbacks, he tries to do too much at times, and he ends up paying the price. If he is playing, he runs the risk of being rather banged up. In either scenario, I do not expect much from the Cardinals offense.

I do, however, like the Rams defense in this one. The Rams pass rush ought to be peaking in Week 17, and the result is a lot of quarterback pressure on Murray, or whoever the Cardinals have under center for this one. With a smothering pass rush, and a Rams rushing attack that is getting tuned up for post-season, you have to love the Rams chances. The team looks every bit the playoff team in this one.

The Rams need a bounce back performance after losing on the road in two straight games, and nothing brings about a positive change for the Rams like facing the Cardinals. Everyhing and everyone is firing on all cylinders, and the Rams snap a two-game losing streak to claim a victory.

Final Score:
Arizona Cardinals 7
LA Rams 28