NFL robs Los Angeles Rams of a great opportunity to show who they truly are with awful decision regarding the 2025 season

Why the Rams should've been the choice

You can argue both ways about Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott in terms of quality of quarterback play, but it's hard to argue that Stafford is the more exciting player. He makes big plays, crazy throws, and is much more courageous as a quarterback. He is the definition of a must-watch QB for primetime games. Opening the season with Stafford facing the ferocious Eagles' defense is a great idea, especially because his style of play tends to be effective against Vic Fangio's schematic style.

Moreover, the Eagles-Cowboys game won't have a unique feel. We are so used to watching these intra-divisional games on Sunday Night Football, especially with NFC East teams, that the opener simply won't be as special as it should have.

Another point is that divisional games tend to be better down the stretch. It's more likely that a Cowboys-Eagles game would still be valuable for the league by Week 6 or 7, let's say. Meanwhile, a good interdivisional game is not a sure thing by the middle of the season for a multitude of reasons. Bypassing a great NFC matchup in Week 1 might cost the league, because many variables (injuries, standings) could affect what this game will be later in the season, more than they do for divisional rivals.

Options on the table

The NFL picked the Cowboys to kick off the season over the Rams, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos, besides the two other divisional opponents, Washington Commanders and New York Giants. You could understand better had the NFL chosen the Lions to create a matchup between what are perceived as the two best teams in the conference entering the season. But the Cowboys are not the best choice, not over what a potential matchup with the Rams could be.

What's left

The Rams won't play on Thursday, and the Friday game in Brazil is expected to be Los Angeles Chargers-Kansas City Chiefs. Both Sunday and Monday Night Football are still up for grabs in Week 1, but without MNF doubleheaders in Week 1, a primetime game to kick off the season doesn't sound as likely now. At this point, a normal game in the second Sunday afternoon window feels as likely as it is underwhelming for an exciting roster.

In 2025, the Rams will face at home the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts. The team will also visit the Seahawks, 49ers, and Cardinals, plus the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens.