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 easiest games are the focus.
Los Angeles Rams Easiest Games in 2016
9. Week 10 at the New York Jets
Much like the Rams, a lot will depend on who the Jets start at quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a breakout year last season, leading the Jets to 10 wins, but the team may not be willing to hand out the kind of money he is asking for. However, the Jets still have the offensive playmakers in newly acquired running back Matt Forte, and their receiving duo Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Week 10 could see both teams at their best and make for a relatively even match-up.
10. Week 11 vs the Miami Dolphins
Mario Williams will make the defensive line of Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake a big factor against the young Rams offensive line and Todd Gurley. However, if Ryan Tannehill continues to play poorly, the Rams defense will capitalize and with not much of a running weapon, he could have no other choice than to do a lot of passing.
11. Week 7 vs the New York Giants
The UK trip will be a challenge for the Rams, as it always is when going up against Eli Manning, and his two deadly targets, Odell Beckham Jr., and Victor Cruz. The run game could be lacking again, although it did show some life late last year. Jason Pierre-Paul is very unpredictable since his injury, but the addition of Olivier Vernon and former Ram Janoris Jenkins will balance them out somewhat from a lacking linebacker corps. Overall, a pretty even match-up with both teams having to execute with all of their new acquisitions to come back to the states with a win.
12. Week 1 at the San Francisco 49ers
The first game for the return of the Los Angeles Rams will be against one of their biggest rivals at Levi’s Stadium on Monday Night Football. Nerves will be at their high point, especially at the quarterback position. However, San Francisco has been in a freefall since their conference title in 2012 and have a serious lack for talent in nearly every area. The team is very young and in addition to new coach Chip Kelly who will have to find his bearings in the new squad, there could be some intense quarterback controversy that plagues this team not just in the first week, but all year.
13. Week 6 at the Detroit Lions
Ending last year with the worst rushing in the league and having a very young offensive line that includes a new center that may also be a rookie, the Lions could have their ground game eaten alive by the Rams star defensive line. Combine this will the loss of Calvin Johnson and the Lions will be seriously lacking for offense. Though they have talent on the other side of the ball with phenom Ziggy Ansah, a now-healthy DeAndre Levy, and rising star Darius Clay, these stars could have trouble working together when Gurley and the Los Angeles run game kicks in.
14. Week 12 at the New Orleans Saints
The Saints have a lot of unproven talent that will need to make plays this year. Drew Brees is always going to make it easy for his receivers to shine, but Mark Ingram has a shaky line in front of him and the Rams could make it a long day for the Heisman Trophy winner. With average talent on the defense, the Saints will have their hands full with the speedy threats in the Rams’ offense.
15. Week 14 vs the Atlanta Falcons
Late in the year, the Rams will host the painfully mediocre Atlanta Falcons, who have had ever-increasing disappointment since their division title in 2012. Matt Ryan has been unable to lead the team, despite his high level of talent and on-field intelligence, but there are still big names like Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman who will always leave an impact. Atlanta has been thinning on linebacker since their freefall and their secondary is following suit. The vicious runs from Todd Gurley could rack up major points in this match-up.
16. Week 16 vs the San Francisco 49ers
Once again, the Rams will meet the 49ers, but this time after most of the nerves have settled and with the game taking place at what will now feel like home at the Coliseum. Though both teams will have settled into a groove this late in the season, the youth of the 49ers could be winded after enduring a full professional season and the Rams could take advantage.
If you liked this article, be sure to check out the hardest games on the Rams schedule.
