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Cameron DaSilva
2 hours ago
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
After some time off in Week 9, the Los Angeles Rams will begin the second half of their 2019 season in Week 10. At 5-3, they’re hardly out of the playoff picture, but they certainly have a lot of work to do in the last eight games.
There are some difficult opponents coming up in November and December, which makes the Rams’ path to the playoffs murky. But with some more consistent play on offense and an improved defense, Los Angeles can make a run toward the postseason.
We went game by game and predicted either a win or loss in each of the final eight weeks of the season. A 10-6 record might not get the Rams into the playoffs, so it’ll take an improved second half to play in January.
Week 10 at Steelers
This game looked much tougher when Ben Roethlisberger was healthy, but he’s out for the year. That changes things significantly and even though it’s on the road, the Rams certainly have the advantage in this one.
Coming off their bye with some momentum in the last two weeks, the Rams are going to be well-rested and healthy. Even though Pittsburgh’s defense has played well this season, the Rams will be able to take care of business and win their first game of the second half.
Prediction: Win (6-3)
Week 11 vs. Bears (SNF)
Oh, how things have changed. Chicago looked like a Super Bowl contender before the season started, but poor play by Mitchell Trubisky and an unimpressive offense has set the Bears back significantly. The defense is still something to be wary of, but Chicago doesn’t look like the powerhouse it once appeared to be.
The Rams are back at home for this one, hosting the Bears in prime-time on Sunday Night Football. That makes a big difference compared to playing on the road in windy Chicago as these two teams did last year when Los Angeles was shut down offensively.
Prediction: Win (7-3)
Week 12 vs. Ravens (MNF)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Containing Lamar Jackson is a tall task for any defense. The Rams have the playmakers to cover him, including Nickell Robey-Coleman and Taylor Rapp, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to slow down Baltimore’s offense.
Marcus Peters and his new team get a win against his old squad on the road, giving the Rams their first loss since Week 6. It’ll be close, but Los Angeles will have trouble containing Jackson.
Prediction: Loss (7-4)
Week 13 at Cardinals
Incredibly, the Rams don’t face Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray until Week 13. The Cardinals are one of the better teams with a losing record in the NFL right now and pose similar problems for the Rams as the Ravens do.
However, the Cardinals aren’t as complete as Baltimore is and the Rams can learn from any mistakes they make against Jackson and the Ravens. Look for them to bounce back and win this one.
Prediction: Win (8-4)
Week 14 vs. Seahawks (SNF)
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s where a daunting stretch of games begins. The Rams host Seattle on Sunday Night Football before facing the Cowboys and 49ers in the following two weeks. The Rams should’ve beaten Seattle in their first meeting this season, but Greg Zuerlein pushed his game-winning field goal try just wide right.
Los Angeles will avenge that loss with a win in week 14, a game which this team really needs to have in the competitive NFC. It’ll help having Jalen Ramsey to cover Tyler Lockett, too, which wasn’t the case earlier this year.
Prediction: Win (9-4)
Week 15 at Cowboys
The Cowboys’ record doesn’t suggest they’re one of the best teams in football, but this is a dangerous team on both sides of the ball. Ramsey will draw a tough matchup with Amari Cooper, whose crisp route-running is hard for even the best corners to match.
This one will come down to the wire, but Dallas will hold on for the victory at home behind a solid effort from its defense.
Prediction: Loss (9-5)
Week 16 at 49ers
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Are the Rams really going to get swept by San Francisco for the first time since 2016 and just the third time this decade? Based on the way the 49ers are playing, it’s very possible. San Francisco has one of the best defenses in football and a ground game that’s difficult to stop.
The Rams should be in better shape on offense by this point with the offensive line finding its groove right now, but San Francisco is littered with defensive talent and pass rushers. The Rams will need a great performance by Jared Goff in order to win this one on the road.
Prediction: Loss (9-6)
Week 17 vs. Cardinals
To close out the year, the Rams host the Cardinals. Week 17 won’t be meaningless for Los Angeles this season, given the team’s current record, which means this game should have big playoff implications.
Having a game of experience against Murray and Kingsbury should help the Rams and they’ll find a way to do just enough to win the season finale.
Prediction: Win (10-6)
theramswire.usatoday.com
2 hours ago
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
After some time off in Week 9, the Los Angeles Rams will begin the second half of their 2019 season in Week 10. At 5-3, they’re hardly out of the playoff picture, but they certainly have a lot of work to do in the last eight games.
There are some difficult opponents coming up in November and December, which makes the Rams’ path to the playoffs murky. But with some more consistent play on offense and an improved defense, Los Angeles can make a run toward the postseason.
We went game by game and predicted either a win or loss in each of the final eight weeks of the season. A 10-6 record might not get the Rams into the playoffs, so it’ll take an improved second half to play in January.
Week 10 at Steelers
This game looked much tougher when Ben Roethlisberger was healthy, but he’s out for the year. That changes things significantly and even though it’s on the road, the Rams certainly have the advantage in this one.
Coming off their bye with some momentum in the last two weeks, the Rams are going to be well-rested and healthy. Even though Pittsburgh’s defense has played well this season, the Rams will be able to take care of business and win their first game of the second half.
Prediction: Win (6-3)
Week 11 vs. Bears (SNF)
Oh, how things have changed. Chicago looked like a Super Bowl contender before the season started, but poor play by Mitchell Trubisky and an unimpressive offense has set the Bears back significantly. The defense is still something to be wary of, but Chicago doesn’t look like the powerhouse it once appeared to be.
The Rams are back at home for this one, hosting the Bears in prime-time on Sunday Night Football. That makes a big difference compared to playing on the road in windy Chicago as these two teams did last year when Los Angeles was shut down offensively.
Prediction: Win (7-3)
Week 12 vs. Ravens (MNF)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Containing Lamar Jackson is a tall task for any defense. The Rams have the playmakers to cover him, including Nickell Robey-Coleman and Taylor Rapp, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to slow down Baltimore’s offense.
Marcus Peters and his new team get a win against his old squad on the road, giving the Rams their first loss since Week 6. It’ll be close, but Los Angeles will have trouble containing Jackson.
Prediction: Loss (7-4)
Week 13 at Cardinals
Incredibly, the Rams don’t face Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray until Week 13. The Cardinals are one of the better teams with a losing record in the NFL right now and pose similar problems for the Rams as the Ravens do.
However, the Cardinals aren’t as complete as Baltimore is and the Rams can learn from any mistakes they make against Jackson and the Ravens. Look for them to bounce back and win this one.
Prediction: Win (8-4)
Week 14 vs. Seahawks (SNF)
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s where a daunting stretch of games begins. The Rams host Seattle on Sunday Night Football before facing the Cowboys and 49ers in the following two weeks. The Rams should’ve beaten Seattle in their first meeting this season, but Greg Zuerlein pushed his game-winning field goal try just wide right.
Los Angeles will avenge that loss with a win in week 14, a game which this team really needs to have in the competitive NFC. It’ll help having Jalen Ramsey to cover Tyler Lockett, too, which wasn’t the case earlier this year.
Prediction: Win (9-4)
Week 15 at Cowboys
The Cowboys’ record doesn’t suggest they’re one of the best teams in football, but this is a dangerous team on both sides of the ball. Ramsey will draw a tough matchup with Amari Cooper, whose crisp route-running is hard for even the best corners to match.
This one will come down to the wire, but Dallas will hold on for the victory at home behind a solid effort from its defense.
Prediction: Loss (9-5)
Week 16 at 49ers
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Are the Rams really going to get swept by San Francisco for the first time since 2016 and just the third time this decade? Based on the way the 49ers are playing, it’s very possible. San Francisco has one of the best defenses in football and a ground game that’s difficult to stop.
The Rams should be in better shape on offense by this point with the offensive line finding its groove right now, but San Francisco is littered with defensive talent and pass rushers. The Rams will need a great performance by Jared Goff in order to win this one on the road.
Prediction: Loss (9-6)
Week 17 vs. Cardinals
To close out the year, the Rams host the Cardinals. Week 17 won’t be meaningless for Los Angeles this season, given the team’s current record, which means this game should have big playoff implications.
Having a game of experience against Murray and Kingsbury should help the Rams and they’ll find a way to do just enough to win the season finale.
Prediction: Win (10-6)
Predicting every game remaining on the Rams' schedule
Can the Rams improve in the second half and finish better than 5-3 down the stretch?
theramswire.usatoday.com
