During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Los Angeles Rams most difficult games are the focus.
Los Angeles Rams Most Difficult Games in 2016
1. Week 4 at the Arizona Cardinals
The Rams first trip to Arizona will be the biggest challenge of their season because they will be facing the 2015 NFC West champions at what will be their freshest and healthiest. Bruce Arians and his squad will also still have the sour taste of their loss to the Rams last season after an abundance of trash talking. Being a team that likes to blitz a lot, the young Los Angeles line could become overwhelmed and as a result, either Jared Goff or Case Keenum could be seeing a lot of grass that afternoon. Then there is also the triple threat of Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and David Johnson, not to mention additional playmakers like Chris Johnson and John Brown. All of this will be waiting for the Rams at a time when they could still be working on finding a rhythm to their newly adjusted defense.
2. Week 17 vs. the Arizona Cardinals
Anytime the Cardinals are around, the margin of error closes to its smallest point. Though the early game will be challenging because of the home field advantage, the last game of the year will not be much easier for the Rams. Arizona is coming off a disappointing end to its best season ever and they have the makings for a championship run, so come week 17, they could be pulling out all the stops to earn that coveted playoff bye. This will also be the time the team will be in perfect sync and barring any injuries from their new offensive line starters or the increasingly delicate Carson Palmer. The Rams may be meeting a Super Bowl caliber team in their final regular season game.
3. Week 9 vs. the Carolina Panthers
Reigning MVP Cam Newton and company will roll into town with one of the best in the NFL. Though veteran running back Jonathan Stewart has begun to slow down, the Panthers will see their star receiver Kelvin Benjamin return, and the incomparable Greg Olsen will be a threat on every snap. The defense may have been a bit shaken up in the off-season with the loss of star secondary players Josh Norman, Cortland Finnegan, and Charles Tillman, as well as defensive end Jared Allen, but Coach Ron Rivera will be doubling down on his commanding offense, which spells trouble for any defense in its way.
4. Week 2 vs the Seattle Seahawks
The much anticipated homecoming of the Rams could end up being a return to disappointment if the team succumbs to the oppression from the Legion of Boom. The success of the Rams depends heavily on who is throwing passes come week two, but either way the Seattle secondary is going to make life very hard for the Rams. The Seahawks have had some reshuffling on their offensive line and lost powerhouse Marshawn Lynch, but with Russell Wilson leading, the offense will still be lethal.
5. Week 13 at the New England Patriots
The unforgivable December frost at Foxborough is going to be the first factor the Rams will have to overcome in week 13. There’s also a pair of future Hall of Famers by the name of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski that will do their fair share of damage. The defense has some holes in it with poor depth at linebacker, but if the starters remain healthy, the Rams will have difficulty scoring points against the solid front.
6. Week 15 at the Seattle Seahawks
In one of the only prime-time engagements for the Rams, the twelfth man will be in full force for what could be a vital game for both teams. The same match-ups will trouble the Rams, but at this point in the season, they may just be a bit more in sync.
7. Week 3 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis Winston has reportedly shed some weight and looks primed to break out in 2016. Though their defensive line is a weaker point, their linebacking corps is one of the best in the league, making it difficult for the Rams to employ their trademark run game so early in the season.
8. Week 5 vs the Buffalo Bills
The Rams defensive line should wreak havoc on the Buffalo Bills. They look to be a headache for the inconsistent Tyrod Taylor, but they will counter will two Pro Bowl alternates on their offensive line in Richie Incognito and Eric Wood. Though the defense won’t turn any heads outside of secondary stars like Ronald Darby and Stephon Gilmore, the Bills have enough passing threats in standouts like Sammy Watkins and Charles Clay to push the Rams defense to their limits early in the season.
If you liked this article, be sure to check out the easiest games on the Rams schedule.
