The 2026 NFL schedule is out, and the Los Angeles Rams are staring down one of the toughest roads ahead in the league. While every team faces challenges, the Rams' path after their Week 11 bye is nothing short of a gauntlet—and it could define their entire season.

Let’s break down the most brutal stretch. It kicks off in Week 13 with a Thursday Night Football showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. By this point in the season, Patrick Mahomes should be fully recovered from last year’s injury, making him the dangerous, elusive MVP we all know. The Rams would have preferred to catch him early, while he was still shaking off rust. Instead, they’ll face a motivated Chiefs squad, with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson both eager to prove themselves against their former team.

But the real test? The Rams close the season with two matchups against the reigning Super Bowl champions in the final three weeks. That’s right—the NFC West title, and possibly a playoff berth, could hang on how LA performs against the league’s best. Last year’s three nail-biters between these teams made this rivalry must-see TV, and the Rams earned the right to play on Christmas Day. Expect fireworks.

Don’t overlook the Dallas Cowboys either. They boasted one of the most explosive offenses in football last season, even if their defense struggled to keep up. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will test McDuffie and Watson in the secondary, and the Chiefs—who struggled against the Cowboys a year ago—know this is no easy out. I’m picking Dallas to win the NFC East this year, and fans might underestimate this matchup now. Come late fall, it’ll look very different.

For Rams fans, the message is clear: the team needs to be firing on all cylinders by the time November rolls around. This closing stretch isn’t just tough—it’s a season-defining battle. Gear up, because the Rams are about to prove what they’re made of.