The Los Angeles Rams have found themselves in a position where they can’t simply win the rest of their games and get into the playoffs. They need a little help from their friends – or foes.
With the Vikings one game ahead of the Rams in the wild-card race and Seattle two games up, Los Angeles needs both teams to lose at least one or two games in the final three weeks. Getting any help in Week 15 is going to be difficult, though.
Before we get into which teams the Rams should be rooting for, here’s a look at the current playoff picture.
- NFC West: 49ers (11-2)
- NFC North: Packers (10-3)
- NFC South: Saints (10-3)
- NFC East: Cowboys (6-7)
- Wild card: Seahawks (10-3)
- Wild card: Vikings (9-4)
In the hunt
Rams (8-5)
Bears (7-6)
Eagles (6-7)
Looking at the standings, it’s pretty clear that the Rams need the Vikings, Seahawks and maybe even the Packers to lose. The 49ers are three games up, so they’d need to lose all three of their remaining games – one of which is against the Rams – in order for L.A. to have a chance.
In Week 15, the Rams need help from the Chargers, Panthers and Bears. The Chargers are hosting the Vikings in Los Angeles, the Panthers are taking on the Seahawks in Charlotte and the Bears will visit Lambeau Field.
If the Chargers, Panthers and Bears all win, and the Rams also knock off the Cowboys, the Rams will be tied with the Vikings (and hold the tiebreaker based on common games), one game behind the Seahawks for the fifth seed and one game back of the Packers – who are currently leading the NFC North but could be caught by the Vikings.