Los Angeles Rams game-by-game prediction for the 2021 season

By Blaine Grisak of DowntownRams

Los Angeles Rams

And what a year to try to guess. The Rams will have a new quarterback and will have a much different coaching staff. The Rams have a league-high five primetime games and an over/under win total of 10.5. With a now 17 game schedule, will the Rams hit the double-digit win mark?

Here are my game-by-game Eagles predictions for the 2021 season.

Week 1 – vs. Chicago Bears (SNF)

Sean McVay is undefeated in Week 1 openers and the Rams haven’t lost to the Bears since Vic Fangio’s defense stifled the offense in 2018. The Rams will either be getting Justin Fields in his first ever start or Andy Dalton/Nick Foles under center. Matthew Stafford should be familiar with the Bears and what they send at him as well. The Rams get their first win at SoFi with fans.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 1-0

Week 2 – at Indianapolis

The Rams played Carson Wentz and the Philadelphia Eagles last season on the road and came out with a win. This year they get Wentz again in Week 2, but he’ll be with his new team. Getting Wentz and the Colts early could be a good thing as Wentz might still be getting comfortable. Even if not, Wentz was one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL last season.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 2-0

Week 3 – vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off of a Super Bowl win and signed everybody to ‘run it back’. The issue is: sustained success in the NFL is hard. Prior to the schedule release, I might have marked this game down as a loss. However, teams typically go through a Super Bowl hangover the season after winning or going to a Super Bowl. Now, an experienced quarterback like Brady could help, but they could still trip up out of the gates.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 3-0

Week 4 – vs. Arizona Cardinals

Sean McVay has never lost to the Arizona Cardinals. With a quarterback of the caliber of Matthew Stafford, that’s not about to start. McVay was able to put together a game plan to win with John Wolford under center at the end of last season. The hot start for the Rams continues.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 4-0

Week 5 – at Seattle Seahawks (TNF)

The Seattle Seahawks are going to have the playoff game in mind when the Rams come to town on Thursday Night Football. That’s going to be one of the more focused Seahawks teams that the Rams will face. It’s possible that the Rams come out with a win, but traveling on a short week against a tough division opponent won’t be easy.

Prediction: Rams Loss
Record: 4-1

Week 6 – at New York Giants

This game is scheduled perfectly. The Rams won’t be traveling all the way to the east coast on a normal week. Instead, they’ll be doing it on a “mini-bye” and coming off of a long week. The Giants gave the Rams some unexpected issues last season and have added a lot of offensive talent. This game could be close again, but the Rams should come out with a win.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 5-1

Week 7 – vs. Detroit Lions

It’s the game that everyone will have circled on their calendars. Jared Goff will return to SoFi stadium as Matthew Stafford’s Detroit Lions come to play the Rams. Jared Goff could come in with a chip on his shoulder while Stafford deals with some nerves. You could point to a “trap-game” in this instance, but the Rams get the job done.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 6-1

Week 8 – at Houston Texans

This is a handful of interesting games on the Rams schedule. Will the Texans have DeShaun Watson or won’t they after his alleged legal issues this offseason? Still, the Texans have one of the worst rosters in the NFL. After going 4-12 last season, the Texans didn’t have a first or second round pick to help replenish talent. The Rams continue their dominance.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 7-1

Week 9 – vs Tennessee Titans (SNF)

Through nine weeks, this will be the third primetime game for the Rams and the first since Week 5. The Titans and Rams have each made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. However, the Titans have done so in a much weaker division in the AFC South. The last time these two teams played, it was close, but with Tennessee’s issues on defense and in the secondary, the Rams should escape in a close one.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 8-1

Week 10 – at San Francisco 49ers (MNF)

Back-to-back weeks in primetime for the Rams, this time on Monday Night Football. The first time that the Rams will get a look at the 49ers won’t be until Week 10. Is Jimmy Garoppolo under center or Trey Lance? This is another one of those interesting games that I don’t know what to expect. McVay has struggled against the 49ers in the past and division games on the road aren’t easy.

Prediction: Rams Loss
Record: 8-2

Week 11 – BYE

The bye week couldn’t come at a better time. With a longer season, a bye in week 11 will give the Rams a nice recharge in the middle of the year. They’ll need it as the schedule gets much more difficult.

Prediction: N/A
Record: 8-2

Week 12 – at Green Bay Packers

This might be the most interesting game on the Rams schedule. Will Aaron Rodgers be under center for the Green Bay Packers? He says he won’t be, but does a big extension change that? For now, we’ll say that Rodgers sticks to his word and the Rams get Jordan Love under center. If that’s the case, the Rams should get a win with two weeks to prepare.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 9-2

Week 13 – vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars make an appearance at SoFi stadium in Week 13. Aaron Donald should give Lawrence several “welcome to the NFL” moments. The Jaguars might be slightly better, but they could also be a disaster with Urban Meyer at head coach.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 10-2

Week 14 – at Arizona Cardinals (MNF)

At some point the Arizona Cardinals have to get a win against the Rams, right? Unfortunately for the Cardinals, I just don’t see it. They’re a team that everyone gets excited about because of the offensive talent, but seem to stick around average. The Rams will be looking to lock up not only the division but a chance for the top seed in the NFC.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 11-2

Week 15 – vs Seattle Seahawks

This will be a big game for the Rams. A win here could clinch the NFC West for the Rams. Like last season, a loss in this spot likely cost the Rams at a division title. They won’t make that same mistake twice.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 12-2

Week 16 – at Minnesota Vikings

The Rams and Vikings have played some classics in the past. The games in 2017 and 2018 were two of the most difficult that the Rams have played in the Sean McVay era. However, the Vikings seems to be stuck in mediocrity with Kirk Cousins under center and the defense isn’t as good as it was. This is another team that Stafford should be familiar with.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 13-2

Week 17 – at Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens game in 2019 might be the worst game in the Sean McVay era. That game wasn’t necessarily close at any point. This game should be a lot closer, but back-to-back road trips late in the year will take its toll. If there’s a game for the Rams to lose at this point in the year, it’s against a team in the AFC.

Prediction: Rams Loss
Record: 13-3

Week 18 – vs. San Francisco 49ers

Could the Rams be resting their starters coming into this game with a 13-3 record? It’s certainly possible, but we’ll say that the Rams have to win this game to lock up the top spot in the NFC. McVay hasn’t had success against the 49ers over the last two years, but gets over the hump in the season finale.

Prediction: Rams Win
Record: 14-3