Merry Christmas, everyone.
And not just because the defending Super Bowl champions will host the Denver Broncos on December 25.
The schedule release is my favorite day of the offseason. It's Christmas in May. When the calendar takes shape and the opponents become real targets in time. It's also nice to be able to anticipate and plan, including for the holidays. Hope you feel similarly about what has become the latest tentpole event for the NFL.
Simultaneously, the 2022 slate represents the most rigorous and accommodating schedule the Rams have been assigned since returning to Los Angeles (and maybe ever).
The nine-home-eight-away imbalance tilts in their favor this year.
Layer in an "away" game against the Chargers in Week 17, and it becomes 10 contests at SoFi Stadium with just seven true road trips. The Rams will only play in the eastern time zone – triple checks to be sure this is accurate – once? Once.
The flip side is that this has already been singled out as the toughest path in the league.
It is very much a first-place schedule. A crossover with the AFC West, the most buzzworthy division in the NFL this offseason, makes for an absolute gauntlet.
And a whole lot of attention on the Rams.
How Many Prime Times?
Not only will the Rams have a target on their back, they'll also have a ton of eyeballs watching their every move.
They've been assigned the preliminary maximum of five prime time appearances (with the potential to flex into even more down the schedule).
An additional seven placements in the FOX or CBS "second window" (1:25 p.m PT) equates to a total of 12 of the 17 Rams games reaching a national audience.
Said another way, only four Rams games are currently penciled in for regional coverage (with the regular season finale TBD, as always). So for those of you outside the greater Los Angeles area, you shouldn't be sweating your television coverage maps much this season.
Where's the Bye?
Week 7.
That's earlier than any team would like. Earliest of Sean McVay's tenure, in fact.
Unfortunately, the bye comes after just two road trips, and even those are short pitstops within the division.
One positive is that it lands right before a home game against the 49ers, giving the Rams extra time to prepare for their biggest rival in Week 8.
When is Thursday Night Football?
Well, it's in two places this year. Atop the schedule versus Buffalo. Playing opening night at home is arguably the biggest scheduling advantage the NFL has to offer.
Then an actual short week in December against the Raiders.
(For what it's worth, the 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers also had to play twice on Thursday last fall coming off a Super Bowl victory. The 2020 Kansas City Chiefs did not. Neither did the 2019 New England Patriots.)
Fortunately, that Week 14 with Las Vegas follows a home game the Sunday prior versus Seattle. Convenient.
TNF against the Raiders also affords the Rams a "mini bye" before their trip to Green Bay for one of the season's most important showdowns.
So all-in-all, positive news on the Thursday Night front.
Any Consecutive Road Trips?
Indeed, there are. A couple, in fact.
The Rams go to Arizona and San Francisco back-to-back in Weeks 3 and 4 (with an extra day between those games to minimize the impact). And they go to New Orleans and Kansas City on consecutive Sundays in November.
Given that there are only seven true road trips on the slate, this is a bit unlucky.
Nonetheless, the Rams have been absolute road warriors under Sean McVay's leadership and have never let a plane impact their performance.
With the 2022 NFL Schedule released, take a look at when and where the Los Angeles Rams will play during each week of the 2022 season.
Rams at Los Angeles Chargers | SoFi Stadium | Preseason
Rams vs. Houston Texans | SoFi Stadium | Preseason
Rams at Cincinnati Bengals | Paul Brown Stadium | Preseason
Rams vs. Buffalo Bills | SoFi Stadium | Week 1
Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons | SoFi Stadium | Week 2
Rams at Arizona Cardinals | State Farm Stadium | Week 3
Rams at San Francisco 49ers | Levi's Stadium | Week 4
Rams vs. Dallas Cowboys | SoFi Stadium | Week 5
Rams vs. Carolina Panthers | SoFi Stadium | Week 6
Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers | SoFi Stadium | Week 8
Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raymond James Stadium | Week 9
Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals | SoFi Stadium | Week 10
Rams at New Orleans Saints | Caesars Superdome | Week 11
Rams at Kansas City Chiefs | Geha Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Week 12
Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks | SoFi Stadium | Week 13
Rams vs. Las Vegas Raiders | SoFi Stadium | Week 14
Rams at Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | Week 15
Rams vs. Denver Broncos | SoFi Stadium | Week 16
Rams at Los Angeles Chargers | SoFi Stadium | Week 17
Rams at Seattle Seahawks | Lumen Field | Week 18
How About Alarm Clock Kickoffs?
They've also dominated the early window while playing in the central and eastern time zones, challenges that historically have proven to be severe disadvantages for West Coast teams.
This year, L.A. will play only one such contest – at New Orleans on November 20 at 10:00 a.m. PT.
And, who knows? That game has flex potential. It's the Rams first return to the Superdome since the 2018 NFC Championship Game, after all.
Any Weather Worries?
How about the week before Christmas on the Frozen Tundra?
Those of us who are thin-skinned might have preferred Green Bay earlier on the calendar. But Monday Night Football at Lambeau in December? That's way too cool to be upset about the cold.
Thanksgiving Sunday at Arrowhead could be crisp, as well.
Final Thoughts?
For a variety of reasons, I prefer playing on Christmas Day to Thanksgiving Thursday. Especially when December 25 lands on a Sunday. But I understand the contingent that hopes for a Turkey Bowl game each time the schedule is released. Maybe next year.
The Rams don't leave the time zone until November. Week 9!
In a couple previous seasons, the Rams had gone roughly a month between home games. This season, they go more than a month (October 3 – November 6) without a road game.
Biggest stunner for me is that the trip to Kansas City isn't on Monday Night Football. Since the teams last met in the greatest game in MNF history at the Coliseum in 2018, it felt like that would be a layup for the schedule makers. Speculating why it didn't play out that way: (1) FOX probably really wanted the defending Super Bowl Champions traveling to face a franchise that's hosted four straight AFC Championship games. Can't blame them. (2) The AFC West is so strong, and the Rams schedule is so loaded, there were plenty of other great opportunities for the Rams and Chiefs to appear on MNF – to wit, L.A. at Green Bay. I'll be curious to see what the Kansas City MNF assignment looks like.
My only gripe – and it's minor – is playing San Francisco twice in October. That's wonky. I was banking on a Week 18 rematch, in fact, given how compelling that game was at SoFi Stadium last January. With the Rams and Niners widely thought of as the two best teams in the 2022 NFC West, it's odd that they complete their home-and-home before Halloween.
Taking that peculiarity a step further, the Rams play Arizona and San Francisco twice each in the first 10 weeks. They don't see Seattle until Week 13, then play the Seahawks twice in the final six games.
All in all, this is a compelling schedule that's also conducive to repeating. Can't wait to reign with the Rams.
Take a look through historic photos of the Los Angeles Rams vs. our opponents for the 2022 season.
Los Angeles Rams runningback Eric Dickerson (29) tries to fend off Buffalo Bills cornerback Mario Clark as each entwine their fingers in the other's facemask during the first quarter at Anaheim Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 27, 1983, Anaheim, Calif. No penalty was charged. Dickerson gained 12 yard and a first down on the running play. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback James Harris (12) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on December 15, 1974. The Rams defeated the Bills 19-14. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner runs in for the touchdown as teammate Isaac Bruce (80) and Atlanta Falcons Ray Buchanan (34) look on in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999 at the Trans World Dome in St. Louis. The Rams won 35-7. (AP Photo/Mary Butkus)
St. Louis Rams defensive back Aeneas Williams (35) celebrates after recovering the ball for a safety during a Week 7 NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri on October 13, 2003. The Rams defeated the Falcons 36-0. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals during Week 14 of the 2021 regular season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals during Week 14 of the 2021 regular season.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angles Rams at Candlestick Park Sunday, January 2, 1983. Los Angles Rams beat 49ers 21-20. Los Angles Rams Defensive End Reggie Doss (71) celebrates stoping 49ers. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk (28) eludes San Francisco 49ers safety Lance Schulters (30) and runs upfield during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on September 23, 2001. The Rams defeated the 49ers 30-26 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Cornerback (20) Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams makes a tackle against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 20-17 victory against the Cowboys in an NFL Week 1 regular season game, Sunday, September 13, 2020, in Inglewood,Calif. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
Los Angeles Rams running back Cullen Bryant (32) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on September 17, 1978. The Rams defeated the Cowboys 27-14. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
St. Louis Rams' Marshall Faulk avoids Carolina Panthers' Darren Hambrick (59) and Kris Jenkins (77) in the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 11, 2001, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
St. Louis Rams' Jerome Bettis (36) scores from the one yard through Carolina Panthers defense during the second quarter in St. Louis Sunday, Nov. 12, 1995. Watching Bettis score is Carolina Panthers' Brett Maxie (39). (AP Photo/Mary Butkus)
The Los Angeles Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs.
Wide Receiver (10) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass, runs, and celebrates against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Championship Game, Sunday, January 30, 2022, in Inglewood, CA. The Rams won 20-17. (Jeff Lewis/LA Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Divisional round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round of the 2021 NFL Playoffs.
Los Angeles Rams' Tyler Higbee reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the second half of the NFL football NFC championship game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Los Angeles Rams cornerback LeRoy Irvin returns an interception 51-yards for a score during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on December 2, 1984. The Rams defeated the Saints 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs defense gets set at the line of scrimmage against the Los Angeles Rams offense during an NFL Football game on September 25, 1994 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Rams defeated the Chiefs 16-0. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Los Angeles Rams running back Jerome Bettis runs for yardage against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL Football game on September 25, 1994 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Rams defeated the Chiefs 16-0. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 of the 2021 regular season.
St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk (28) scores during the fourth quarter with members of the Oakland Raiders defense in the background during their NFL game in St. Louis Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002.(AP Photo/James A. Finley)
St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn forces Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub (8) to fumble during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in St. Louis. The Rams recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett (56) pushes St. Louis Rams Steven Jackson (39) out of bounds just short of the goal line during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006, in Green Bay, Wis. The Rams won 23-20. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
St. Louis Rams' Tony Fisher (30) breaks away from Green Bay Packers' Nick Barnett (56) and Marquand Manuel (22) for a 40-yard pass reception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006, in Green Bay, Wis. The Rams won 23-20. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
St. Louis Rams' Az-Zahir Hakim (81) holds his arms out as he heads to the endzone for an 86-yard punt return in the first quarter Monday, Sept. 4, 2000, against the Denver Broncos in St Louis, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Los Angeles Rams running back Jerome Bettis (36) eludes Denver Broncos linebacker Elijah Alexander (58) during an NFL game at Anaheim, Nov. 6, 1994. The Rams defeated the Broncos 27-21.(AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
St Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) makes a play with the football against the San Diego Chargers during an NFL game, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006 in San Diego. (Kevin Reece via AP)
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey, left, scores past San Diego Chargers strong safety Marcus Gilchrist during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football during Week 5 of the 2021 season.
The Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football during Week 5 of the 2021 season.
