Fansided

5 toughest NFL schedules in 2016

By John Buhler

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi /
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Mar 4, 2016; Manhattan Beach, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher addresses the media at press conference at the Manhattan Beach Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Manhattan Beach, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher addresses the media at press conference at the Manhattan Beach Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

. NFC. West. Los Angeles Rams. 3. player. 51

The Rams will play their first games in Los Angeles in over 20 years after relocating from St. Louis this offseason. While the Rams have the longest active playoff drought in the NFC (since 2004), they have held their own in the brutal NFC West since the arrival of head coach Jeff Fisher. But winning outside of the West has been problematic, just like the Rams passing game.

Not only do the Rams play in the toughest division in football in the NFC West, but they also have some tough matchups elsewhere in 2016. As well as their six games against NFC West rivals, Los Angeles will face the entire NFC South, the entire AFC East (Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets), and the two other third place teams in the NFC from 2015: the Giants and the Lions.

Last season, for the first time in several years, the Rams were in the NFC playoff mix. They faltered down the stretch and ended with a 7-9 record on the year. Normally, the Rams finish below .500 in the NFC regardless of how strong the Cardinals, 49ers, or Seahawks are at the time. If the Rams can win outside of the NFC West, then the playoffs aren’t out of the question.

Los Angeles has the third toughest strength of schedule entering 2016; their opponents combined to go 141-115 in 2015 for a winning percentage of .551. Of all the teams that have brutal 2016 schedules, Los Angeles perhaps has the best chance of making the playoffs. This is partly because of how well the Rams usually play in the NFC West and partly because of the inconsistency of the other teams on their schedule, excluding the Panthers and the Patriots.

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