Strength of schedule 2026

[CoachAllred]

If the Cowboys win, their fans and dopey media pundits will crown them NFC Champs and favorites in the Super Bowl.

I have grown to love the Pre-crowning moments in Cowboyland.
Whether it's because of games like this one , long winning streaks , entering the
playoffs red hot from blowing out last couple of opponets or a win streak.

I enjoy them so much because I know the Cowboys will somehow , some
way find a way to blow it. Different H.C.'s?? Same results. So bobbleheads,
keep crowning.

Because after the Crown , comes the Frowns of the lowly
Cowboy fan. da- da da da da-- da daaa !!!!

 

[kurtfaulk]

It's not a mystery ... Opponents are based on a simple Formula.

Every NFL team plays its divisional opponents 2X, and another two Divisions entirely (on a rotating basis) ... one in each Conference.

The NFC West plays the NFC East and AFC West in '26. So the Rams and Seahawks have 14 common opponents ... including the two games against each other. Can't play with yourself ... that is frowned upon.

The only three uncommon opponents are from the other two NFC Divisions, and one AFC Division and even that is based on a Formula. Seahawks won their Division last year, so they will play the division winners in the NFC North and South (Bears and Panthers) and the AFC East (Patriots) ... while the Rams (2nd place in 2025) play their counter-parts (all the 2nd place teams) in the same three divisions (Packers, Bucs and Bills).

Let's be happy the Rams dont play the Panthers. They have a hard time against them for some reason.

.

 

[kurtfaulk]

View: https://x.com/NFL/status/2053877856539697619

Poor Cardinals. They play in the best division so they will always have one of the hardest schedules.

.

 

[fanotodd]

Let's be happy the Rams dont play the Panthers. They have a hard time against them for some reason.

.

Between ex-players and especially ex-coaches, they very often looked like they knew what we were doing—especially on defense.

 

[Mackeyser]

View: https://x.com/NFL/status/2053877856539697619

How the fuck the 9ers always have an easier schedule than us???

 

[Allen2McVay]

How the fuck the 9ers always have an easier schedule than us???

The League has flexibility on the scheduling of games ... days and times ... but the opponents are based on a Formula, and it's fair.

Every team in every division has identical opponents for 14 games, with three exceptions ... and that's also based on a Formula.

The Rams finished 2nd in their division last year, so they play the 2nd place teams in three divisions (Bills, Bucs and Packers). Seattle plays the 1st place teams in those same three divisions; and the evil-Niners play the 3rd place teams in those divisions (Dolphins, Falcons and Vikings).

 

[Mackeyser]

The League has flexibility on the scheduling of games ... days and times ... but the opponents are based on a Formula, and it's fair.

Every team in every division has identical opponents for 14 games, with three exceptions ... and that's also based on a Formula.

The Rams finished 2nd in their division last year, so they play the 2nd place teams in three divisions (Bills, Bucs and Packers). Seattle plays the 1st place teams in those same three divisions; and the evil-Niners play the 3rd place teams in those divisions (Dolphins, Falcons and Vikings).

I know that, but those three teams somehow always end up being significantly worse than who we face and that’s been true when we finished third and they won the division.

They win the division and somehow face three dogshit teams that somehow had a lucky year the year before and we get three grinders that just had injuries the year before.

That schedule last year was almost as pathetic as the Patriots, iirc

 

[Allen2McVay]

I know that, but those three teams somehow always end up being significantly worse than who we face and that’s been true when we finished third and they won the division.

They win the division and somehow face three dogshit teams that somehow had a lucky year the year before and we get three grinders that just had injuries the year before.

That schedule last year was almost as pathetic as the Patriots, iirc

 

[Allen2McVay]

I know that, but those three teams somehow always end up being significantly worse than who we face and that’s been true when we finished third and they won the division.

They win the division and somehow face three dogshit teams that somehow had a lucky year the year before and we get three grinders that just had injuries the year before.

Sorry man but I'm just not sure that's true. Feels more like a Woe-is-Me.

For example, I checked the three uncommon opponents from 2024 which were based on the 2023 Standings where the Niners finished in 1st and the Rams in 2nd place.

In 2024, the 49ers played Dallas, Kansas City and Tampa.
The Rams played Philadelphia, Las Vegas and New Orleans.

In 2024, the Rams finished 1st and the Niners 4th.
San Francisco should have gotten the weaker opponents last year ... and did.
They got the Browns, Giants and Bears; while the Rams got the Ravens, Eagles and Lions.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

Anyone one who thinks there's even .0000000001% of intentionality, or opinion, factored in to the NFL Schedule, and not 100% formula-based, really needs to get a grip, and maybe re-evaluate things.....

 

[Memphis Ram]

I have grown to love the Pre-crowning moments in Cowboyland.
Whether it's because of games like this one , long winning streaks , entering the
playoffs red hot from blowing out last couple of opponets or a win streak.

I enjoy them so much because I know the Cowboys will somehow , some
way find a way to blow it. Different H.C.'s?? Same results. So bobbleheads,
keep crowning.

Because after the Crown , comes the Frowns of the lowly
Cowboy fan. da- da da da da-- da daaa !!!!

I must admit that when the Rams lose a game, a Cowboys loss sorta helps ease the pain a bit for me.

But, while I hate to say it, I really like their chances of being pretty strong contenders this year.

 

[Mackeyser]

Anyone one who thinks there's even .0000000001% of intentionality, or opinion, factored in to the NFL Schedule, and not 100% formula-based, really needs to get a grip, and maybe re-evaluate things.....

Never asserted intentionality…just crap rolls from the RNG

How many times did we finish the season AT Seattle?

I actually really like our season this time around…no games on 4 days rest and only 2 games where the other team is coming off of byes.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

Never asserted intentionality…just crap rolls from the RNG

How many times did we finish the season AT Seattle?

I actually really like our season this time around…no games on 4 days rest and only 2 games where the other team is coming off of byes.

Well, order of games is something that can be done intentionally. I was just referring to the actual opponents on the schedule which some fans (not you) are convinced is one big evil plot against the Los Angeles Rams Organization.

 

[RamFan503]

Anyone one who thinks there's even .0000000001% of intentionality, or opinion, factored in to the NFL Schedule, and not 100% formula-based, really needs to get a grip, and maybe re-evaluate things.....

So you don't think the NFL sets schedules with things like marketing and profit in mind? You think it's just randomly based on a formula? Maybe you should be the one re-evaluating things. I have no problem with the NFL trying to maximize profits within a common understanding of fair competition. I'm not saying they are tilting the table against a particular team necessarily. But they definitely know how their bread is going to be buttered or at least have a plan before putting together the schedule. There is a formula for deciding who the teams play. Not for when and where they play. That is completely up to the NFL and if they think a schedule that sucks ass for a particular team will make them the most money, they don't give two shits about that team.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

So you don't think the NFL sets schedules with things like marketing and profit in mind? You think it's just randomly based on a formula? Maybe you should be the one re-evaluating things. I have no problem with the NFL trying to maximize profits within a common understanding of fair competition. I'm not saying they are tilting the table against a particular team necessarily. But they definitely know how their bread is going to be buttered or at least have a plan before putting together the schedule. There is a formula for deciding who the teams play. Not for when and where they play. That is completely up to the NFL and if they think a schedule that sucks ass for a particular team will make them the most money, they don't give two shits about that team.

My only pushback was for the folks who think the League decides WHO a team plays and WHERE. Not the WHEN. Should have been clearer about that. Of course the who and where is decided by formula.

 

[Allen2McVay]

It’s two different things.

Opponents are determined by a fair formula.

Scheduling those opponents is up to the League Office, Networks and Streaming Services and ... perhaps ... some lobbying by the most powerful owners and high-profile teams which have exactly three priorities …
Money … MONEY … and, most importantly, … MONEY!!!

 

[Coliseum Ram]

It’s two different things.

Opponents are determined by a fair formula.

Scheduling those opponents is up to the League Office which has exactly three priorities …
Money … MONEY … and, most importantly, …
MONEY!!!

You'd be surprised how many people over the years have complained about Rams actual opponents and venues. I can remember the outrage when we went to Green Bay 3 straight years, circa 2020-23 and people thought it was a plot

3 being the maximum consecutive times a given team can visit another team's venue before it reverses under the current formula. Notice we've been getting Green Bay in L.A. alot lately

 

[Neil039]

It’s two different things.

Opponents are determined by a fair formula.

Scheduling those opponents is up to the League Office, Networks and Streaming Services and ... perhaps ... some lobbying by the most powerful owners and high-profile teams which have exactly three priorities …
Money … MONEY … and, most importantly, … MONEY!!!

 

[RamFan503]

You'd be surprised how many people over the years have complained about Rams actual opponents and venues. I can remember the outrage when we went to Green Bay 3 straight years, circa 2020-23 and people thought it was a plot

Here the formula should get some tweaking. Is there some mystery as to why fans would start to bitch if their team is facing a powerhouse team (which the fudge packers were at the time) on the road three straight times? It may very well be the formula but so? 3 away games in a row to the same team is kinda bullshit. Unless of course it's my team playing at home.