The Los Angeles Rams were dealt a tough scheduling quirk this year, which they’ll feel the effects of in the next two weeks. The Rams and 49ers are the only two teams in the NFL this season that will face four teams coming off a bye week.
In the Rams’ next two games, both of their opponents will be well-rested coming out of their byes: the Steelers, who were off last week, and the Cowboys, who are off this week.
For the Steelers, their bye came at a good time. Tight end Pat Freiermuth missed the Steelers’ last game in Week 5 due to a hamstring injury, but he’s expected to practice Wednesday and could be ready to go this weekend against the Rams. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson has been on injured reserve but he’s been designated to return to practice and has said he’ll make his return on Sunday in Los Angeles. Even edge rusher T.J. Watt, who dislocated his finger and tore multiple ligaments in Week 5, will have some extra rest before this weekend’s game against the Rams.
The Steelers have not been a very good team this season but with the extra week to prepare for the Rams, as well as the added time for players such as Freiermuth, Johnson and Watt to heal, it could make a significant difference – particularly on offense with Freiermuth and Johnson expected to return to the lineup.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, will get an additional week to scout the Rams on both offense and defense, as well as make adjustments to their own offense, which scored just 20 points against the Chargers on Monday night.
Under Sean McVay, the Rams are 3-3 against teams coming off a bye. They’re 0-3 in the last three instances, losing to the Packers last year, as well as the 49ers and Dolphins in 2020. In their three wins, they beat the Cardinals 34-7 in 2019, the Packers 29-27 in 2018 and the Giants 51-17 in 2017.
The Rams have only faced a team coming off a bye at home twice, which was the loss to San Francisco in 2020 and the win over Green Bay in 2018. This week’s game against the Steelers will be at SoFi Stadium but they’ll be on the road against the Cowboys in Week 8.