The Los Angeles Rams are projected to be overvalued in the competitive NFC West for the upcoming 2026 NFL season, according to predictions from the New York Post. Despite making notable offseason moves, the team faces a difficult path due to a loaded division featuring perennial contenders.
The Rams have been active in the offseason, acquiring two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, two-time All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, and bringing Aaron Donald out of retirement. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off a season where he played at a high level, and the team's defense was already ranked in the top five last season. Head coach Sean McVay is also recognized as a proven winner.
However, the NFC West is expected to be as strong as ever, with the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers anticipated to be major contenders. These teams are expected to challenge the Rams, who are noted as having the lowest championship odds among their divisional rivals.
The strength of schedule for the Rams is ranked 27th, indicating the sixth-toughest schedule based on projected win totals. This is largely attributed to their requirement to play the Seahawks and 49ers twice during the regular season. While the Rams are expected to easily defeat the Arizona Cardinals, who are projected to be the league's worst team, their other four division games are anticipated to be closely contested.
Last season, the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers each split their regular-season matchups against each other, with most games being decided by a narrow margin. The NFC Championship game between the Rams and Seahawks also came down to the wire. This trend is expected to continue, with each team having a chance to win in close, one-score games.
The prediction suggests that the Rams may struggle to meet expectations when facing the teams that are most familiar with their playstyle. Caesars has set the Rams' division win total at 3.5, with odds favoring the Over at -220 and the Under at +170. The New York Post's betting analysis leans towards betting the Under 3.5 division wins for the Rams, priced at +170, based on the belief that the Seahawks and 49ers can secure wins in these pivotal matchups.