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          NFL Nation

          Los Angeles Rams' schedule 2020: Opening stretch looks extremely daunting

          • Lindsey Thiry, ESPNMay 7, 2020, 08:06 PM ET
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              Lindsey Thiry is a national NFL reporter for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2018 to cover the Los Angeles Rams after two years of covering them for the Los Angeles Times, and has also covered the Chargers for ESPN. She previously covered the Atlanta Falcons. You can follow her on Twitter/X @LindseyThiry.

          The Los Angeles Rams' schedule for 2020 was released Thursday.

          The regular season kicks off with the Houston Texans hosting the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Sept. 10 (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). The opening doubleheader for Monday Night Football will feature the Pittsburgh Steelers at the New York Giants (7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN) and the Tennessee Titans at the Denver Broncos (10:20 p.m. ET) on Monday, Sept. 14.

          Check out the full week-by-week schedule here. Here's what's in store for the Rams:

          Game-by-game prediction

          Rams reporter Lindsey Thiry is predicting an 8-8 finish:

          Sept. 13: vs. Dallas, Loss

          Sept. 20: at Philadelphia, Loss

          Sept. 27: at Buffalo, Loss

          Oct. 4: vs. N.Y. Giants, Win

          Oct. 11: at Washington, Win

          Oct. 18: at San Francisco, Loss

          Oct. 26: vs Chicago, Win

          Nov. 1: at Miami, Win

          Nov. 15: vs. Seattle, Win

          Nov. 23: at Tampa Bay, Loss

          Nov. 29: vs. San Francisco, Loss

          Dec. 6: at Arizona, Win

          Dec. 10: vs. New England, Win

          Dec. 19 or 20: at N.Y. Jets, Win

          Dec. 27: at Seattle, Loss

          Jan. 3: vs. Arizona, Loss

          Strength of schedule: .516, tied 10th

          Breakdown

          SoFi Stadium will make its debut in prime time when the Rams open the 2020 season hosting the Cowboys. It's no coincidence that Jerry Jones' squad will be the first to visit Stan Kroenke's $5 billion masterpiece, given Jones played a crucial role in the Rams' ability to relocate to L.A. from St. Louis in 2016. After opening in L.A., the Rams travel to the Eastern time zone -- where they will play five games this season -- to take on the Eagles and Bills in back-to-back weeks. The Rams open division play in Week 6 against the defending NFC champions in San Francisco, then host the Seahawks in Week 10 coming off a bye.

          That starts what could be another difficult stretch, as the Rams must travel to Tampa Bay to play the made-over Buccaneers led by Tom Brady, return to L.A. to play the 49ers, then make the short trip to Arizona to take on the revamped Cardinals. The Rams close the season with back-to-back division games against the Seahawks and Cardinals, which means the division race probably will come down to the end of the season.

          Tough opening stretch

          The Rams have three new coordinators and must alter their offense as they move on from running back Todd Gurley II and receiver Brandin Cooks, but they will have no time to ease into the season. The Rams will open against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, who could endure some growing pains of their own under new coach Mike McCarthy. The Rams then travel to Philadelphia to play quarterback Carson Wentz and the Eagles, then will stay east to prepare for the Bills, who have emerged as favorites in the AFC East. Not only is that a long road trip, but both East Coast games are scheduled for the dreaded 10 a.m. PT kickoff.

          Playing in prime time

          For a second consecutive season, the Rams' initial schedule features the maximum five prime-time games, including two Monday night and two Sunday night contests, as well as a Thursday night game. Three of the five prime-time matchups will be played in L.A. The Rams will play at San Francisco in Week 6 on Sunday Night Football, which will provide an opportunity for them to prove they're ready to contend once again in the NFC West. But perhaps the Rams' most intriguing prime-time game this season will be on Nov. 23, when they play Brady and the Bucs on Monday Night Football in Tampa Bay.