The NFL finally unveiled the 2021 regular-season schedule, revealing when each game will be played. The Los Angeles Rams were awarded five prime-time games but they face a difficult road to the postseason.

I went game by game and predicted whether the Rams will win or lose, and though it’s extremely early, it’s still fun to look the how the season could go for Los Angeles.

The start and end of the schedule are both difficult, but there are some favorable matchups for the Rams to take advantage of. I have them finishing well above .500 and making the postseason for the second straight year.

Week 1 vs. Bears – Sunday, Sept. 12 at 5:20 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 21-20

If the Bears can finally get stable play at quarterback with either Andy Dalton or rookie Justin Fields, they could make some noise in the NFC. But the Rams will do just enough to knock off the Bears at home when they square off to open the season, holding Chicago’s offense to only a pair of touchdowns.

Considering this matchup will be in Week 1, it’s likely Dalton will get the start, though Fields would make the game more interesting.

Week 2 at Colts – Sunday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 24-23

The Colts boast an elite offensive line, an underrated defense and an interesting situation at quarterback with Carson Wentz coming over from the Eagles. If the Rams’ defensive line can hold up against the Colts’ stout front and keep Jonathan Taylor in check, they’ll have a good chance to win this one. But it’s a difficult matchup no matter how you look at it.

Week 3 vs. Buccaneers – Sunday, Sept. 26 at 1:25 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Loss, 27-25

The Rams beat the Buccaneers last season, but Tom Brady and his team got the last laugh as the Super Bowl champions. The Bucs returned all 22 of their starters from that Super Bowl team, making them a favorite to win it all once again. It helps that the Rams will be on the road instead of traveling to Tampa Bay, but I think the Bucs take this one narrowly.

Week 4 vs. Cardinals – Sunday, Oct. 3 at 1:05 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 30-24

Sean McVay hasn’t lost to the Cardinals since becoming head coach of the Rams in 2017, going a perfect 8-0 in that stretch with at least 30 points scored in seven of those eight games. They’ll continue their dominance against Arizona with another solid win against an improved team led by Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins.

Week 5 at Seahawks – Thursday, Oct. 7 at 5:20 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Loss, 24-21

Winning in Seattle is a challenge for most teams, though the Rams have had more success there than the majority of the Seahawks’ opponents. They knocked off Seattle in the playoffs last year, a road game that was started by John Wolford. The Seahawks will get back at the Rams by winning this one at home on a short week, though not by a large margin

Week 6 at Giants – Sunday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 24-21

I get the feeling that the Giants might be more competitive than some expect this season. They gave the Rams a run for their money last season before Daniel Jones through a game-sealing interception, and now they look even better on offense with Saquon Barkley returning, Kenny Golladay joining the mix and Kadarius Toney being their first-round pick.

It’ll be a close one, but the Rams will pull out a win on the road.

Week 7 vs. Lions – Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1:05 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 28-14

What coach knows Jared Goff better than Sean McVay? And what coach knows how to exploit his weaknesses better than McVay. The Lions already look like one of the worst teams in the NFL with a terrible receiving corps, and it really puts them behind the eight ball going up against McVay and the Rams. This will be an easy win.

Week 8 at Texans – Sunday, Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 35-17

Deshaun Watson’s status is very much up in the air right now as he not only tries to force his way out of Houston, but also deals with allegations of sexual misconduct. Even if he does play for the Texans, this game won’t be competitive. Houston lacks talent from top to bottom and the Rams will win this one by double-digits.

Week 9 vs. Titans – Sunday, Nov. 7 at 5:20 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 21-17

We know how good the Rams secondary is, but they might be vulnerable to power running teams, and that’s exactly what the Titans are with Derrick Henry. Los Angeles has the talent to slow down Ryan Tannehill and the aerial attack with A.J. Brown and Josh Reynolds, with the departure of Corey Davis looming large.

I’m taking the Rams in a close one at home, but only if they can thwart Henry and the ground game.

Week 10 at 49ers – Monday, Nov. 15 at 5:15 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Loss, 24-21

Splitting with the 49ers wouldn’t be a surprise at all, and it will mostly come down to how the 49ers’ quarterback situation plays out. Fortunately, Robert Saleh is out of San Francisco after helping the 49ers stymie the Rams recently, but the 49ers will still find a way to get it done at home in this matchup with the Rams. Kyle Shanahan is a brilliant coach and it’ll show in this one.

Week 12 at Packers – Sunday, Nov. 28 at 1:25 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Loss, 27-24

If Aaron Rodgers is traded or doesn’t play for the Packers in 2021 for one reason or another, my prediction will be reversed. I don’t see the Rams losing to Jordan Love if Rodgers is gone, but if the reigning MVP remains in Green Bay, this will be the Rams’ toughest matchup on the road, a game that will be difficult for them to win.

Week 13 vs. Jaguars – Sunday, Dec. 5 at 1:25 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 30-21

It won’t get much tougher for Trevor Lawrence than traveling across the country to face a top defense at SoFi Stadium. The Jaguars have some intriguing players around Lawrence, but the overall roster looks underwhelming and won’t be good enough to hang with the Rams in Inglewood. This could be a double-digit win by L.A. if Lawrence can’t carry the offense.

Week 14 at Cardinals – Monday, Dec. 13 at 5:15 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 30-27

Another sweep of the Cardinals? Another sweep of the Cardinals. McVay simply doesn’t lose to Arizona, and he won’t in 2021, either, despite the Cardinals’ additions of A.J. Green, J.J. Watt, Malcolm Butler, Rodney Hudson and Zaven Collins. On the road, the Rams will continue their dominance of Kliff Kingsbury’s team.

Week 15 vs. Seahawks – Sunday, Dec. 19 at 1:25 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 27-24

The Seahawks didn’t add much in the draft with only three picks, but on paper, they remain one of the top teams in the conference. The Rams always play them tough and games often come down to the wire, but L.A. has had Russell Wilson’s number lately so I’m taking the Rams to win at home against Seattle.

Week 16 at Vikings – Sunday, Dec. 26 at 10 a.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 31-24

The Vikings don’t get much national attention as Super Bowl contenders, but they have a dangerous offense that features Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. If Kirk Cousins can play at a Pro Bowl level, the Vikings will be a tough out.

But the Rams defense will keep them in check and Stafford will pick apart a Vikings defense he’s faced many times before.

Week 17 at Ravens – Sunday, Jan. 2 at 1:25 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 31-28

The Ravens routed the Rams at the Coliseum in 2019, absolutely crushing them on their home turf. Sean McVay will want revenge for that game and now with an improved defense, they should have a better answer for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ dynamic offense. I’m taking the Rams in a close one on the road.

Week 18 vs. 49ers – Sunday, Jan. 9 at 1:25 p.m. PT

Score prediction: Win, 28-24

The 49ers should be much better this season than they were in 2020 due to all of the injuries suffered up and down the roster. It remains to be seen who will start at quarterback for this game – be it Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance – but either way, the Rams will likely be favored at home and should come away with a win.

Final record: 13-4