The schedule is out, and it’s time to look ahead and play the win loss game. As we look at the Rams’ schedule and try to figure out their record, it looks fairly good. But, there are some tough games as well, and winning in the NFL is never easy. Here are the top 5 toughest games the Rams will play in 2025, and an analysis of what they’ll need to do to win them.
#5. Texans @ Rams, Week 1 Home Opener
The first week of the season is always exciting and tough. Rookies will be playing at a whole new speed. Teams will have brand new players and brand new plays for coaches to adjust to. To have CJ Stroud and the excellent Texans defense visiting the Rams in Week 1 is a scary way to start the season. The Rams pass rush will have to get after CJ, and Stafford and Puka will have to be at their best against a fearsome Houston corner duo.
#4. Rams @ Seahawks, Week 16 TNF
It’s never easy playing in Seattle, famously one of the loudest crowds in the NFL. Last year, these two teams faced in Week 17 (a game which I attended live). Thought Seattle won, the Rams had already secured a playoff spot on tiebreakers. However, this game could once again determine the winner of the division and matter much more than it did last year. The fact that it’s in Seattle is a distinct disadvantage. To win the game and take the West, the Rams have an easy formula: put Sam Darnold under pressure. They executed it well against the Vikings in the playoffs, and if they do it again here, they could easily host another playoff game this year.
#3. Lions @ Rams, Week 15 Afternoon Game
As always, when these teams meet, there’s a ton of emotions, a great narrative, and usually a very competitive game. Stafford and Goff are both thriving in their new environments after the trade a few years back. Both the Rams and Lions probably have ambitions for a deep playoff run. This game could easily determine seeding or even the location of a potential playoff matchup. To win it, the Rams need to focus on containing Aidan Hutchinson and giving Stafford time to pick the Lions’ defense apart. If Jared Verse can outshine Hutchinson, the Rams are sure to take this one down. Hopefully, they emerge unscathed, as a tough physical game here could affect the Seahawks game the following week that I just mentioned.
#2. Rams @ Ravens, Week 6
Playing the AFC North is always tough and physical, and the Ravens are the scariest team in that division. Visiting Baltimore makes it even more challenging. Hopefully, the weather won’t be too bad in mid-October, but there’s a non-zero chance that this game will have inclement weather. Plus, this game follows a battle against the 49ers, who are well known for being extremely physical. This will be a brutally tough test for the Rams early in the year. To win it, it will be key to contain the Ravens’ rushing attack, both Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. This will test the toughness of their young defense in a physical battle that I can’t wait to see.
#1. Rams @ Eagles, Week 3 TNF
This snowy battle was one of the best games of the playoffs and the closest anyone came to taking down the Eagles last year. This highly anticipated rematch comes early in the year and will be a major yardstick for the Rams. If they can’t stack up to the Eagles, they have little chance of winning the NFC. They came within a single play of ending the Eagles’ season last year, and so travelling back to Philly will probably be an extremely hostile environment to play in, especially on short rest and a prime time Thursday night slot. To control the Eagles, stopping Saquon is the name of the game. Yet again, the young defense has to assert its toughness and get physical. Perhaps warmer weather will allow Stafford to throw it around the yard more and win the game.
