As is usually the case around this time of year, the NFL released the full 2024 schedule on Wednesday night, so the Los Angeles Rams know when and where they will be playing this coming season.
Coming off an unexpected 10-7 season and playoff appearance in 2023, the Rams were able to use cap space and draft picks to further improve their roster in 2024.
With that being the case, the NFL gave the Rams a number of high-profile games with five in primetime. That includes two Sunday Night Football Games, two Thursday Night Football Games and one Monday Night Football game.
That means that the Rams will be playing a number of quality teams though, which will be both challenging and exciting for the team and fans. Here are six games, in particular, that the Ramily should be especially excited about going into the 2024 season.
Week 1, Sunday, Sept. 8: at Lions (5:20 p.m. PT)
The NFL wasted no time sending the Rams back to Motown, where their 2023 season came to an end with a tough playoff loss to Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions in Matthew Stafford’s return to the place he called home for so many years.
That wild card game was a classic, so naturally the league put this matchup as the first Sunday Night Football game of the season for the whole world to watch as the Rams look for some revenge to start the campaign strong.
While Stafford didn’t get much love in his first return to Detroit considering it was a postseason game, he will likely get a much warmer reception this time around.
Week 4 Sunday, Sept. 29: at Bears (10 a.m. PT)
After a pair of division games following the contest against the Lions, the Rams will go back on the road in Week 4 to take on another tough NFC North opponent in the Chicago Bears.
The Rams and Bears have played some fun games over the years, and this should be no different with both teams loading up this offseason.
Chicago’s offense should be much-improved in 2024 after drafting Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze in the top 10 and also adding Keenan Allen. That should present a tough challenge for Chris Shula’s defense in the first of three 10 a.m. PT games for the Rams this season.
Week 10 Monday, Nov. 11: vs Dolphins (5:15 p.m. PT)
The Rams’ only Monday night game comes in Week 11 when they host the Miami Dolphins, who had the top offense in the league last season.
This game will also mark the first return to SoFi Stadium for two Rams Super Bowl heroes in Jalen Ramsey and Odell Beckham Jr. It will be another tough challenge for Shula’s defense trying to game plan for a Dolphins offense that added Beckham to a core of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane.
Week 12 Sunday, Nov. 24: vs Eagles (5:20 p.m. PT)
Sunday Night Football in Week 12 features a matchup between two NFC Super Bowl contenders in the Rams and Philadelphia Eagles.
Both teams are in similar situations, coming off disappointing first round playoff exits but reloading this offseason. L.A. was defeated by Philadelphia at home last season so will be looking for revenge in primetime.
Week 14 Sunday, Dec. 8: vs Bills (1:25 p.m. PT)
Speaking of revenge, the 2022 Opening Night loss to the Buffalo Bills still leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many Rams fans. After raising a banner to celebrate the Rams winning the Super Bowl, Josh Allen and the Bills came into SoFi Stadium and demolished them to the tune of a 31-10 victory. That obviously set the tone for a very rough Rams season.
While stopping mobile quarterbacks like Allen has always been a challenge for the Rams, they now have an offense that is capable of keeping up with the Bills, which should make for a fun game.
Week 15 Thursday, Dec. 12: at 49ers (5:15 p.m. PT)
And last but not least, of course a matchup with the division rival San Francisco 49ers needs to be included here. The teams will first meet in Week 3 at SoFi Stadium, but the second matchup will be late in the season on Thursday night in Santa Clara.
With these two teams expected to compete for the NFC West crown, this Week 15 matchup could have huge standings implications. The Rams finally ended their regular season losing streak to the 49ers last season and now will look to build off that in their contests this year.
