When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams, you might think that a team that has been in the NFL since 1937 has accomplished just about everything possible. But you would be wrong to draw that conclusion. Despite humble beginnings in Cleveland, Ohio, and having chapters in Los Angeles, California, St. Louis, Missouri, and then back to Los Angeles, California, the Rams have many accomplishments yet to achieve.
One achievement has never been accomplished in NFL history. But thanks to a recent CBS Sports article, we now all know what that never-before-accomplished feat is. The Rams could be the first team in NFL history to pull off the "Bird Gauntlet." That is, the first team in NFL history to defeat all five NFL Teams with bird logos/names in one season. They are the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks.
Because both the Cardinals and Seahawks are NFC West Division rivals, the Rams will get two cracks at them. So, how difficult will those teams likely be in 2025? Let's list the teams and their 2024 records to put this all into perspective:
- Arizona Cardinals | 8-9
- Atlanta Falcons | 8-9
- Baltimore Ravens | 12-5
- Philadelphia Eagles | 14-3
- Seattle Seahawks | 10-7
While it's not often that any NFL team faces all five 'bird teams' in a single season, you can see by their 2024 records why no NFL team has thumped all five in a single season. These teams are successful and tend to end up on the upper side of .500 more often than not. Even if one or more teams do struggle, the likelihood of all five teams struggling simultaneously is next to impossible.
And only a few teams in the NFL have the chance to accomplish the feat. Now, the question is why.
None of the teams listed above can beat themselves, so we've automatically eliminated five of the 32 teams. Few teams from the AFC West, South, or East or NFC North can accomplish the feat. The reason being is that they do not have divisional opponents among the group, so they will only get to face those teams if they finish in the same ranking as the other teams. And they will need to draw the AFC North and NFC East, South or West in their rotational schedule.
So it's rare to even compete against all five teams in any one year.
Regular Season Games
- Week 1 - Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
- Week 2 - Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans
- Week 3 - Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles (BIRD Gauntlet)
- Week 4 - Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams
- Week 5 - San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (TNF)
- Week 6 - Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens (BIRD Gauntlet)
- Week 7 - Los Angeles Rams @ Jacksonville Jaguars (@ Wembley Stadium)
- Week 8 - BYE
- Week 9 - New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams
- Week 10 - Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
- Week 11 - Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams (BIRD Gauntlet)
- Week 12 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Rams (SNF)
- Week 13 - Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers
- Week 14 - Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (BIRD Gauntlet)
- Week 15 - Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams
- Week 16 - Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (TNF) (BIRD Gauntlet)
- Week 17 - Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta Falcons (MNF) (BIRD Gauntlet)
- Week 18 - Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (BIRD Gauntlet)
When will Rams fans see some buzz about this feat? If the Rams knock off both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens before their Week 8 BYE, it will likely be mentioned. But if the Rams defeat the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals before the Atlanta Falcons showdown in Week 17, you can be sure that will be headlining sports pages.
Keep in mind that the Rams get two cracks at defeating the Seahawks and Cardinals in 2025. In theory, not only can the Rams win the 'Bird Gauntlet' achievement in 2025, but the Rams can punctuate that historic accomplishment by tacking on two wins against the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks respectively.
Can the Rams pull it off? Yes. Will the Rams pull it off? The odds are definitely against them. The Rams play five of seven games on the road. That makes this a Herculean feat to pull off. But if any NFL team can do so, it's the Los Angeles Rams.
As always, thanks for reading.
