LA Rams finally face this opponent at SoFi, and other 2024 schedule oddities

The LA Rams ascended from the disappointing start with a dismal 3-6 record in 2023 to go on a 7-1 run to close out the season and end up as the runner-up in the very competitive NFC Western Division. Second place may not have been where Rams fans wanted to end up, but considering all of the overwhelming number of factors that opposed the Rams before a single snap of the football ever took place, it was beyond expectations.

Of course, finishing well in the NFL triggers many new challenges, not the least of which is a more difficult schedule of opponents in the following year. But it's hard to project which teams will prove to be formidable, and which teams will struggle, as of late.

Of course, my 2023 game by game predictions are a shining example of that. While I had hopes for the Rams to finish strong, I was far too conservative in settling for a record of 5-12. I own that mistake. After all, predicting the future is not an easy task.

In 2023, the LA Rams had to face the AFC North and NFC East Divisions. Of course, the Rams faced many of the teams in the first half of the season when they were still quite healthy and successful. But the Rams turned the tables after the Week 10 BYE, finishing off with a flurry to earn a berth in the 2024 NFL Playoffs. Now, the team hopes that late season rally can carry over to the 2024 regular season.

LA Rams 2024 season opponents

In the 2024 regular season, the Rams will face second-place teams, teams from the AFC East Division, and teams from the NFC North Division. But in the 17-game schedule, the Rams will play an extra home game on even years (as will all NFC teams). While the exact order is not yet finalized, we already have the listing of opponents for 2024. They are:

Of course, just an NFL emblem for NFL opponents does little to give a proper context. So, let's break down the Rams 2024 opponents with a bit more information:

If you were hoping for an easy time of it in 2024, think again. The projected LA Rams Strength of Schedule (SOS) based on 2023 records in a pretty daunting .505. Of course, that is a marked improvement from the Rams 2023 SOS which ended at .529. But there are some variables to consider.

On a high note, the Rams finally face the Green Bay Packers at SoFi Stadium. The two teams have faced one another a total of 99 times. The Packers lead the series with a record of 50-47-2. Oddly enough, the home team has claimed victory in the last six meetings between the two teams. The Packers have been the home team in five of the last six contests, and have hosted the Rams over the last four games.

The Arizona Cardinals will enter Year 2 with new head coach Jonathan Gannon. While only finishing with a 4-13 record in 2023, he did seem to have more fight infused into the Cardinals. And 2024 will be a far more fitting display of his style of play, which could be a much better competitor.

Likewise, the New York Jets were rather competitive in 2023 without veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. With him back in 204, the Jets could be a far better team. Even the New England Patriots, with new head coach Jerod Mayo, could have a rebound year in 2024 similar to that of the Houston Texans.

Tha LA Rams carved through the opposition in the second half of the 2023 NFL season like a hot knife cuts through butter. But if the Rams momentum does not carry over into the new season, the Rams could have a tough time of it.