Schedule makers give the Rams a small break vs. the NFC North in 2024
The Los Angeles Rams have been schedule to play in at least one NFC North away game every season since 2015. In that time span, the Rams are only 2-8 on the road when facing the four Midwest teams. This season though, it looks as though schedule makers are doing LA a favor, lining up all of their NFC North opponents before Week 8.
Instead of fighting the cold of years past, the Rams will play their only outdoor NFC North matchup against Chicago in late September. It should be a stark contrast from their last trip to Soldier field, a late December game in 2018 where the team suffered a 15-6 loss in the bitter Chicago cold.
The consistent scheduling of cold weather, outdoor games late in the season is actually something that has been brought up to the NFL previously by the Rams.
Last year, after having to head to Green Bay for the third time in the three straight years, head coach Sean McVay and brass actually tried to request not to be scheduled in Lambeau late again. According to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, the Rams requested to play their 2023 road game against the Packers in either September or October, however their request was denied, and they were scheduled a third post-October Green Bay game in-a-row.
At the time, Rams COO Kevin Demoff said he was disappointed that the league didn’t honor the Rams’ only request.
While weather cannot be blamed fully for a loss, the fact is that the Rams are much better vs the NFC North teams when playing on the West coast. Despite their 2-8 record on the road, since 2018, Los Angeles is actually 6-0 vs. the North when getting to play them at home.
The NFC North is looking to be one of the strongest divisions in the league heading into 2024. With the emergence of QB Jordan Love in Green Bay, and the additions of wide receivers Keenan Allen, rookie Rome Odunze and first overall pick QB Caleb Williams to Chicago, as well as Detroit’s recent success, the North could challenge the NFC West for the title of most competitive NFC division. The Rams have a tough schedule before Week 8, however if they can battle through the North gauntlet, it should prepare them for what could be a slightly more favorable schedule in the back half of the season.
