The NFC West is shaping up to be a two-coach showdown in 2025 as Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan prepare to write the next chapter in one of the NFL’s most intriguing modern rivalries. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are set to clash not just on the field, but in the race for long-term dominance.
After winning the NFC West in 2024, McVay’s Rams are expected to be a serious contender again this season. The NFL clearly agrees, awarding Los Angeles five standalone games in 2025 — a testament to both their competitiveness and national appeal. Notably, three of those primetime matchups will be on the road, including pivotal back-to-back games in Weeks 16 and 17.
A Rivalry Renewed
Shanahan and the 49ers enter the season with a chip on their shoulder, coming off a disappointing 6-11 campaign. However, many believe the league has set them up for a rebound. “It is set up for the 49ers to win,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on The Adam Schefter Podcast. “They play the AFC South, the NFC South, a last-place schedule… maybe the most favorable schedule in the National Football League.”
Despite Schefter’s take, some are skeptical that the 49ers’ path is as smooth as advertised. “The 49ers are getting five primetime games because the franchise is a massive brand,” one observer noted. “The Cowboys went 7-10 last season and got six. It’s branding. Plus, primetime games can be flexed, so the NFL isn’t locked in.”
Yes, San Francisco may benefit from a soft schedule, but they still have to win the games. The same goes for the Rams, who will have no excuses. Los Angeles enjoys the most rest days in the division and a favorable post-bye stretch that could pave the way for another late-season surge.
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Los Angeles Rams Key Matchups and Scheduling Nuggets
Circle Week 3 — The Rams face the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of last season’s snowy playoff heartbreaker, a 28-22 loss that ended L.A.’s postseason run. Eagles CB Darius Slay Jr. later admitted that “Los Angeles was the eventual Super Bowl champion’s biggest threat in the playoffs.” This time around, weather shouldn’t be a factor, and the early-season clash will serve as a measuring stick for both teams.
Key Stretch: Weeks 8–12 — After a trip to London and a much-needed bye week, the Rams return for a stretch where they play three of four games at home. The lone road contest? A divisional battle at San Francisco. The setup could be crucial in determining playoff seeding — or the division crown itself.
Travel Grind — The Rams will travel 34,832 miles this season, second only to the Chargers. They will also cross an NFL-high 44 time zones. A Week 7 game in Baltimore precedes their London trip, and the team may stay on the East Coast to reduce the travel burden.
Bold Prediction: Rams Will Surge Late
For the third consecutive year, Los Angeles is poised to close the season strong. After starting 3-6 in 2023 and 1-4 in 2024, the Rams surged both years to earn playoff berths. This season, the schedule favors another second-half run. With fewer potential cold-weather games and a settled, experienced roster returning, a 7-3 finish after the bye is not just possible — it’s expected.