Rams schedule finally revealed its toughest stretch to anxious fans

Well, the mystery is solved, the long arduous wait is over. Fans now know the schedule for the Los Angeles Rams and all 32 NFL teams, for that matter. And the results of the first pass of the schedule reveal that LA avoided most of the most dangerous scheduling traps that could have occurred in 2026.

But before fans hand out attaboys like Santa tossing candy on a Christmas parade, let's focus on the toughest stretch of the schedule. It's the toughest set of games in this 17 -game Rams schedule that will dictate LA's playoff seeding, and perhaps even whether the team will compete in the postseason.

With a brutal travelling schedule, formidable opponents, and a season opening halfway across the planet, this was never going to be an easy season. But the team opens with five games that are guaranteed to make or break the season. With a combined record of 53-32, Los Angeles faces one of the toughes five game stretch. Then, factoring in travel miles of more than 12,000 miles over five games, the cause for concern congeals rapidly.

So let's break down the first fiove games to showcase the dangerous impact on the teams season.

Los Angeles Rams Schedule

It's here. 20 games are now scheduled, and here they are:

PRESEASON

Week 1 - Saturday, August 15, 1:00 pm PT | LA Rams at KC Chiefs
Week 2 - Saturday, August 22, 1:00 pm PT | NO Saints at LA Rams
Week 3 = Thursday, August 27, 1:00 pm PT | LA Rams at LA Chargers

REGULAR SEASON

Week 1 - Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 5:25 pm PT | San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (at Melbourne, Australia) | Televised by Netflix
Week 2 - Monday Night Football | Monday, September 21, 2026 | New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams
Week 3 = Sunday Night Football | Sunday, September 28, 2026 | Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos
Week 4 -Sunday, October 4, 2026 | Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 5 - Monday Night Football | Monday, October 12, 2026 | Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams
Week 6 - Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
Week 7 - Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Los Angeles Rams at Las Vegas Raiders
Week 8 - Sunday, November 11, 2026 | Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams
Week 9 - Sunday, November 8 | Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders
Week 10 - Sunday, November 15, 2026 | Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals
Week 11 - BYE
Week 12 - Wednesday, November 25, 2026 | 5:00 pm PT | Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams | Televised by Netflix
Week 13 - Thursday Night Football | Thursday, December 3, 2026 | Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 - Sunday, December 13, 2026 | Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Week 15 - Sunday, December 20, 2026 | Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams
Week 16 - Christmas Day? Friday, December 25, 2026 | Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Week 17 - To Be Determined | Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 18 - To Be Determined | Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams

Week 1 = Rams face 49ers down under

LA's first five games appear on prime time four times. That in itself should give fans cause for concern. With a season opener in Melbourne, Australia, the team's energy and enthusiasm will be taxed to the limit. And with a round trip for one game that will equal the total travel miles for some lucky teams for the entire season, and this is a heckuva first step into 2026. Now plop in the 49ers as the opponent.

Yikes.

Week 2 - Rams host GMen

On the surface, LA appears to get a break in Week 2. But the Giants are far better (on paper) than their 4-13 record from 2-25. Their offense has made subtle moves to help out young quarterback Jaxson Dart. And while New York traded away Dexter Lawrence, the team restocked the roster with cleverly selected rookies.

The plus to facing the Giants in Week 2 is the inexperience of what could be up to five rookie starters. But this has the makings of a trap game, nevertheless.

Week 3 - Rams get Rockky Mountain High

This is going to be a tough one. The Denver Broncos are formidable, are run by a young quarterback, and have the advantage of competing at the high altitude of the Rocky Mountains. While the game is early in the season, it's going to be a tough battle. In 2025, the Broncos lost just one home game. Travel-weary LA has its work cut out for itself.

Week 4 - Rams face the city of Brotherly Shove

After three games, Los Angeles could use a break. Instead, they must face the city of the Brotherly Shove, a controversial play that is impossible to officiate. NFL referees give the Eagles all the advantages, affording QB Jalen Hurts generous spots of the football, while simultaneously mysteriously blowing the play dead if the football ends up in the defender's hands. Worse still, it's more miles.

Week 5 - Rams host founders of Buffalo Wings

Will the gauntlet ever cease? By the time Week 5 arrives, Los Angeles could be in a deep 0-4 hole, riding the wave of a 4-0 start, or somewhere in between. Well, don't look for any relief in this contest. The Bills were dethroned by the Patriots in 2025, and they are coming back to retake that AFC East Division throne. Can the battle and travel-weary defend SoFi Stadium? Even that seems like a difficult challenge.

2026 is just one more NFL season, and it's not going to follow preseason scripts. The key to a successful 2026 season is to start successfully. These first five games are not going to be easy victories. Hopefully, Los Angeles will be up to the challenge.

As always, thanks for reading.

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