Los Angeles Rams schedule predictions give Rams opportunity for Christmas present with chance to win division against bitter rival

The Los Angeles Rams are set to see their schedule for the first time on Wednesday night, May 14th. It's a big day on the National Football League's calendar, especially since there isn't a lot going on once rookie minicamp wraps up. 

Last year's schedule wasn't difficult out the gate on paper, but the Rams started 1-4 before righting the ship post-bye and pushing for the playoffs. LA is hoping for a better start this season. 

What do the schedule makers have in store for the Rams this year?

1. The Rams open up on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions on Thursday Night

If trends hold up, the reigning Super Bowl champion will host the opening game of the season, which means the Philadelphia Eagles will be the home team in the Thursday night opener. Given the thrilling matchup that these two teams had in the playoffs (the Rams were the only team that kept it close with the Eagles on their Super Bowl run), it's hard to envision that networks wouldn't be eager to pursue this as a matchup to kick off the season. 

With all of the offensive firepower of Matthew Stafford, A.J. Brown, Saquon Barkley, Puka Nacua, Devonta Smith, and Davante Adams, and some of the best young defenders in the league in Jared Verse, Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, and Braden Fiske, this is a matchup teeming with superstar power that would be a bang right out of the gates for the NFL to start this season. 

2. The Rams go back to London to take on a team with plenty of connections back to Los Angeles

The Jacksonville Jaguars are playing yet another game over in London this season, and the rumor mill surrounding their potential opponent has been rampant. There are a ton of potential options for Jacksonville to play here, but given the international appeal of the Rams, it feels like this might be a prime opportunity for them to return to London against a team with a surprising amount of connections.

New Jaguars head coach Liam Coen was Sean McVay's offensive coordinator with the Rams, and new Jaguars general manager James Gladstone spent his entire career with the Rams before being hired to join Jacksonville this offseason. Gladstone has also completely reformed the Jaguars' front office, hiring away over half a dozen front office employees away from the Rams. 

With all of the links between these teams, as well as the intriguing matchup of Trevor Lawrence versus Matthew Stafford, this feels like a prime matchup to bring some excitement back to the London games. 

3. Rams will get a chance to win the division on Christmas Day against the 49ers

Last season, the league scheduled multiple playoff teams to play on Christmas Day, and they are once again looking to dominate that day with three NFL games now on the docket. 

The Rams' second game against the 49ers has been in December or later in six of the last eight seasons, and I don't believe that will change this season. The Rams and 49ers are always a high-profile game, and this matchup could decide the division. Last season's Thursday Night Football primetime matchup crushed the previous year's tally, a 54% jump, and that was with a depleted 49ers' roster and a rather boring game. I don't expect that to be the same this season. 

The stakes could be pretty high, and given the geography of these teams, it would be a great nightcap game to end the day.