The schedule release is nearly here, and here are three late-season matchups the Los Angeles Rams will not want to have.
The full NFL 2026 schedule release is set to happen on May 14, and the Los Angeles Rams may know their opponents and strength of schedule, but they do not yet know the arrangement of those games.
With the schedule release looming, let's look at three late-season matchups the Rams may want to completely avoid.
3. Denver Broncos
The Rams are set to take on the Denver Broncos as one of their away games, and having to face the surging AFC powerhouse late in the season might be difficult to handle.
Denver won four of its last five games, and there could be a chance they will have a similar trajectory in 2026. They have a heavily upgraded team, and could be one of the favorites from the AFC to challenge for the Lombardi Trophy.
With the Rams missing out on the top seed in the NFC and NFC West later in the season, it would be best not to have to take on a strong playoff contender later in the year. Even worse is that this is an away game, so having to deal with the altitude and challenge of the Broncos could be tough.
2. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were eerily similar to the Broncos, winning five of their last six matchups to end the season, and Josh Allen continues to be a problem for the entire league.
Los Angeles did upgrade their secondary in a big way with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, but having to face the usual end-of-season challenge that is the Bills could be something the team wants to avoid completely.
Allen has the kind of skill set that makes life hard for any defense, and the Rams, having to face a team such as the Bills when they are likely hurting, might result in a tough loss down the stretch.
1. Seattle Seahawks
Let's face it. Public Enemy No. 1 for the Rams is the Seattle Seahawks. They may have had a bizarre rule aid them in winning the NFC in 2025, but they are also the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Los Angeles benefited greatly from playing the Seahawks in Week 11, resulting in a win, but the Week 16 loss led to losing out on home-field advantage. The Rams are still a solid team and are viewed as the most complete roster, but facing an adversary such as Seattle later on in the season could result in the same situation in 2025.