Ranking every game on the Rams' 2022 schedule, from easiest to toughest

[theramswire.usatoday.com] Ranking every game on the Rams' 2022 schedule, from easiest to toughest


Cameron DaSilva
May 14, 2022 4:30 am PT

The Rams’ 2022 schedule features some of the best games on the NFL calendar next season, which is both good news and bad news. The good news is that there should be a bunch of exciting games. The bad news is that the Rams have a tough path to the playoffs.

Now that we know the order of the Rams’ 17 games, we ranked each one from easiest to toughest, taking into account the location and timing of every contest on their schedule.

Week 2 vs. Falcons
The Falcons look poised to be one of the worst teams in the league next season after trading Matt Ryan to the Colts. Marcus Mariota is a decent replacement, but he has very few proven weapons around him and the defense hasn’t been good in years. The Rams benefit from the Falcons traveling across the country to play at SoFi Stadium, too. This will be a must-win game for Los Angeles against a significantly weaker opponent.


Week 6 vs. Panthers
Sam Darnold is on track to be Carolina’s starting quarterback again, which gives the Panthers little chance to make the playoffs. Sure, they’ll be getting Christian McCaffrey back and they have some good young talent (D.J. Moore, Brian Burns), but as a whole, the Panthers aren’t going to be contenders next season unless they get a miraculous season from their quarterback.


Week 13 vs. Seahawks
The Seahawks weren’t very good last season. Now they don’t have Bobby Wagner or Russell Wilson. Both games against Seattle will be favorable for Los Angeles, but especially the matchup at SoFi Stadium. The Rams shouldn’t have much trouble with the Drew Lock-led Seahawks at home next season.


Week 18 at Seahawks
Going up to Seattle to face the Seahawks used to be dreaded. But that trip hasn’t bothered the Rams much since Sean McVay took over, and it won’t in 2022, either. The Seahawks should finish last in the NFC West and could be in contention for the first overall pick next year unless Lock has a Pro Bowl-caliber year – which is highly unlikely.

Week 4 at Cardinals
With this game being played in Week 4, the Rams won’t have to face DeAndre Hopkins, who’s serving a six-game suspension. That makes this matchup significantly easier, leaving Marquise Brown as Arizona’s No. 1 receiver. This is an offense the Rams have had a good game plan against, and it’s considerably weaker without Nuk outside.

Week 11 at Saints
The Saints lost some talent this year, specifically with Terron Armstead leaving, but they re-signed Jameis Winston and get Michael Thomas back from injury. They’re going to be a tough team in 2022, especially with a defense that was one of the best in football last year. It doesn’t make things any easier that the Rams have to travel to the Superdome for that game, which is always a difficult place to win, and kickoff is at 10 a.m. PT.

Week 10 vs. Cardinals
Hopkins returns for this matchup, the second of the season between the Rams and Cardinals. Los Angeles has won 10 of the last 11 games against the Cardinals since 2017, showing they have Arizona’s number. The Cardinals should be competitive in the NFC West again, but the way they finished last season leaves room for doubt.

Week 14 vs. Raiders
The Raiders made two major moves this offseason, signing Chandler Jones and acquiring Davante Adams from the Packers. Those additions make Las Vegas legitimate contenders in the AFC, more so than they were last season when they made the playoffs. The Rams are still the better team on paper, and this game will be at home, but the Raiders won’t be an easy out next season.

Week 17 at Chargers
The Chargers are one of the most exciting young teams in the league, even though it’s felt that way for two years. But in 2022, the Chargers look even better with Khalil Mack on defense alongside Joey Bosa, J.C. Jackson and Derwin James. Offensively, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are all still there around Justin Herbert, which makes L.A. a dangerous team. This will be a fun matchup at SoFi Stadium, making it a home game for the Rams, too.

Week 8 vs. 49ers
Even without much clarity at quarterback, the 49ers are going to be a tough team to beat. They had the Rams’ number until the playoffs last year when L.A. snapped its six-game losing streak to the 49ers, somehow always finding a way to give the Rams trouble. Being at home makes it a little bit easier, but we know how 49ers poured into SoFi Stadium last season, so the Rams’ advantage won’t be strong.

Week 16 vs. Broncos
The Rams will be at home on Christmas when they host the new-look Broncos, who are now led by Russell Wilson after a blockbuster trade this offseason. Denver’s defense has been strong in the last few years, but now that there’s a Pro Bowl quarterback leading the offense, the Broncos are going to be tough to beat – especially if Jerry Jeudy and Bradley Chubb can stay healthy.

Week 5 vs. Cowboys
The Cowboys look worse on paper now than they did last season, trading away Amari Cooper, cutting La’el Collins and losing Randy Gregory in free agency. However, they’ll still be a tough team to beat and their fans always travel well, so SoFi Stadium is sure to be packed with Cowboys backers. Dallas’ defense was excellent last season and could give the Rams some trouble this year, too.

Week 4 at 49ers
This will be a challenging game for the Rams, as every matchup with the 49ers is. San Francisco’s ground-and-pound offense always gives the Rams trouble, though Los Angeles should have a slightly easier time defending it with Bobby Wagner in the middle of the defense now. The 49ers are expected to be the second-best team in the NFC West next season, but that will only be the case if Trey Lance steps up.

Week 9 at Buccaneers
Visiting the Bucs didn’t look so bad two months ago before Tom Brady decided to come out of his brief retirement. But with Brady back, Tampa Bay is once again a Super Bowl contender. Brady hasn’t beaten the Rams since he joined the Buccaneers, which is good news for Los Angeles, but the Buccaneers are still one of the best teams on the Rams’ schedule.

Week 12 at Chiefs
Facing the Chiefs on the road would probably be the toughest game on any team’s schedule, but the Rams have two other games that are likely to be even more challenging. It’s not that the Chiefs aren’t a good team, but they certainly look weaker on defense and the absence of Tyreek Hill on offense is, well, huge. The Chiefs will probably be favored at home in this game, but the Rams are more than capable of pulling off the “upset.”

Week 1 vs. Bills
In Week 1, the team with the best Super Bowl odds will be visiting SoFi Stadium to face the defending champions in what’s sure to be one of the best games of the 2022 season. The Bills deserve to be the favorites heading into the new season, with Josh Allen playing like an MVP, and the defense boasting stars such as Tre’Davious White and now Von Miller. It doesn’t get much tougher than this, although the Rams are fortunate this game will be in L.A. and not in Buffalo and December.

Week 15 at Packers
Speaking of cold-weather games in December, that’s exactly what the Rams are getting in their matchup with the Packers. Aaron Rodgers is even harder to beat when the temperature drops at Lambeau Field late in the year, making this a challenging game for the Rams. Green Bay beat the Rams at home last season to cap off “No Win November” for Los Angeles, but the Rams will try to avenge that loss. They’ve lost seven of their last eight games to the Packers.