In the Spotlight: Los Angeles Rams Enter 2026 as Super Bowl Favorites

The Los Angeles Rams enter 2026 with expectations that extend well beyond simply reaching the playoffs. Los Angeles finished 12-5 in 2025, defeated Carolina and Chicago in the postseason and came within one victory of the Super Bowl before falling 31-27 to Seattle in the NFC Championship game.   The Rams responded by assembling what may be the NFL’s most star-studded roster. Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford is back after throwing a career-high 46 touchdown passes, while Puka Nacua and Davante Adams give him an elite receiving tandem. ESPN’s Football Power Index projects 11.3 wins for Los Angeles and gives the team an 84.9% chance of reaching the playoffs.  

What to Watch

  The headline addition is Myles Garrett. Los Angeles acquired the reigning Defensive Player of the Year from Cleveland in June, adding one of football’s premier pass rushers to a defense that was already among the league’s better units.   Then came an unexpected development: Aaron Donald ended his retirement in August and returned to the Rams. Pairing Donald and Garrett gives Sean McVay two dominant defensive linemen and significantly raises expectations for a team already viewed as a championship contender.   The offense remains formidable. Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions last season, while Adams led the league with 14 receiving touchdowns. Stafford’s age remains something to monitor, but he enters the season following arguably the best statistical year of his career. Offensive tackle depth may be a larger concern, particularly with Los Angeles facing one of the NFL’s toughest schedules.  

Betting Outlook

  The Rams enter Week 1 as the favorite to win Super Bowl LXI, which will be played at their home stadium in February.   DraftKings and Caesars listed Los Angeles at around +500 to win the Super Bowl, significantly ahead of Buffalo and Baltimore at +1000. The Rams are also +290 to win the NFC and -105 to win the NFC West, putting them ahead of defending Super Bowl champion Seattle in both markets.   Los Angeles’ win total is 11.5, with Over 11.5 priced at -130 and Under at +110. The Rams are also a substantial -460 favorite to make the playoffs.  

Key Team Details

 

• 2025 record: 12-5; lost to Seattle in NFC Championship Game.
• Key players to watch: Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald.
• Expected starting QB: Matthew Stafford.
• Key signings and additions for 2026-27 season: Myles Garrett and the return of Aaron Donald headline the offseason changes.
• Betting odds to win NFC West: -105.
• Betting odds to win NFC: +290.
• Betting odds to win Super Bowl: +500.
• Win totals over/under: 11.5 — Over -130 / Under +110.

 

2026-27 Los Angeles Rams Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	TV
1	Sept. 10	vs. San Francisco 49ers (Melbourne)	8:35 p.m.	Netflix
2	Sept. 21	vs. New York Giants	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
3	Sept. 27	at Denver Broncos	8:20 p.m.	NBC
4	Oct. 4	at Philadelphia Eagles	1:00 p.m.	FOX
5	Oct. 12	vs. Buffalo Bills	8:15 p.m.	ESPN
6	Oct. 18	vs. Arizona Cardinals	4:05 p.m.	FOX
7	Oct. 25	at Las Vegas Raiders	4:25 p.m.	FOX
8	Nov. 1	vs. Los Angeles Chargers	4:05 p.m.	FOX
9	Nov. 8	at Washington Commanders	1:00 p.m.	FOX
10	Nov. 15	at Arizona Cardinals	4:05 p.m.	CBS
11	—	BYE	—	—
12	Nov. 25	vs. Green Bay Packers	8:00 p.m.	Netflix
13	Dec. 3	vs. Kansas City Chiefs	8:15 p.m.	Prime Video
14	Dec. 13	at San Francisco 49ers	4:25 p.m.	FOX
15	Dec. 20	vs. Dallas Cowboys	4:25 p.m.	CBS
16	Dec. 25	at Seattle Seahawks	8:15 p.m.	FOX
17	TBD	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	TBD	TBD
18	TBD	vs. Seattle Seahawks	TBD	TBD

    The Rams open the season against San Francisco in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. Their schedule gets especially challenging late, with Green Bay, Kansas City, San Francisco, Dallas and Seattle all appearing after the Week 11 bye.