Rams’ difficult opening stretch may create major early challenge
Rams’ difficult opening stretch may create major early challenge originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Los Angeles Rams have a tough start to the 2026 season despite being one of the best teams in the league.
The Rams enter this upcoming season with high hopes; however, they still have a daunting start to it this fall. Los Angeles has a brutal five-game start to the season, and if they don't play their cards right, they could get off to a slow start. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report predicted hot, cold, and mild starts for every NFL team, and listed the Rams as having a 'mild' start.
" The Los Angeles Rams are one of the NFL's best teams on paper, but early in the season the Rams are going to have to earn wins. Opening the season in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers is a logistical nightmare, although a Week 2 Monday Night Football tilt with the Giants should offer something of a respite. That rest break isn't going to last long though—after the G-Men the Rams have to face the Broncos and Eagles on the road in back-to-back games.
" Rams facing brutal start to 2026 season Four of the first five games for the Rams are primetime games, and all are the furthest things from an 'easy' contest. The Rams start the season in Australia against their bitter rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, followed by the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills for their first five games. Four of those five teams made the playoffs last season.
At first glance, the “easiest” game on the Rams’ schedule appears to be their Week 2 matchup against the Giants. New York totaled only four wins last season; however, they have retooled this offseason, including hiring Super Bowl-winning head coach John Harbaugh. The Rams hold the fourth-toughest schedule in the league; regardless, they are expected to do great things this fall.