RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesMany pundits envision a good year for the Los Angeles Rams in 2026. They're considered to be a top Super Bowl contender and one of the best on-paper teams in the league after retaining their most important players and adding some of the league's best, like Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie.
As such, it's not a surprise to see another NFL analyst predict the Rams to go far this year. Sports Illustrated 's Conor Orr picked the Rams to finish 13-4 in his annual 272-game prediction exercise, enough to win the NFC West outright but not enough to secure the conference's top seed.
Orr has the Rams landing at No. 2 in the NFC playoff picture behind the Detroit Lions, who he projects to go 14-3 and post the league's best overall record.
I refuse to entertain the scenario where the Rams are not excellent. I’m going to enjoy Sean McVay pivoting hard again offensively, leaving the rest of the NFL in its army pants and flip-flops era looking like a bunch of poseurs of the highest order. I’m going to enjoy Aaron Donald joining this team in Week 8. I’m going to enjoy Nick Sirianni celebrating yet another unfathomable narrow victory over this team as if he’s saved 11 children from an apartment fire. And, mostly, I’m going to enjoy the presence of Myles Garrett putting almost every opposing offensive coordinator into a blender.
Still, Orr built in four losses on the schedule, all against teams with elite offensive lines capable of running the ball both directions. This includes a Week 4 loss on the road against the Eagles, a Week 8 loss to the Chargers, a Week 14 loss to the 49ers and a Week 17 loss to the Buccaneers. Orr frames that loss as the one that keeps Los Angeles from clinching the No. 1 seed and the accompanying first-round bye. Notably, Orr predicts the Rams beast the Seahawks in both Week 16 and 18 to wrap up the division.
The Rams' path to a No. 2 seed would still put them in prime position entering the postseason, just without home-field advantage throughout. Orr's exercise also has Los Angeles finishing ahead of divisional rival Seattle, which he projects at 11-6, and well clear of a 49ers team he slots in at 10-7.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams predicted to win NFC West but fall lose No. 1 seed, per analyst
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