In a game few people expected them to win, the Los Angeles Rams notched what could be a season-changing victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon. It was one of the best games of the season so far as the Rams pulled out a 44-42 win in a dramatic shootout at SoFi Stadium, outlasting Josh Allen and the AFC East champions.
Not only did the Rams get above .500 for the first time all season, but they kept pace with the division-leading Seattle Seahawks. They remained only one game behind Seattle, setting up what could be a winner-take-all game in Week 18 when the Rams host the Seahawks.
As of now, the Rams are currently eighth in the NFC, sitting just one game back of a wild-card spot and the division lead. Here’s a look at the conference standings with four weeks remaining.
- Lions: 12-1 (NFC North)
- Eagles: 11-2 (NFC East)
- Seahawks: 8-5 (NFC West)
- Buccaneers: 7-6 (NFC South)
- Vikings: 11-2 (wild card)
- Packers: 9-4 (wild card)
- Commanders: 8-5 (wild card)
- Rams: 7-6
- Falcons: 6-7
- Cardinals: 6-7
- 49ers: 6-7
- Cowboys: 5-7 (pending MNF)
According to the New York Times’ playoff simulator, the Rams’ postseason odds currently sit at 36%. They also have a 35% chance to win the division, which shows that their likeliest path to the postseason is through the NFC West.
Entering Week 14, the Rams’ playoff odds sat at 24%. Had they lost to the Bills, their chances would’ve dropped to 18%.
Although the Rams didn’t take over the division lead, they did move up two spots in the NFC standings and kept pace with the Seahawks. As long as they can remain within one game of the Seahawks until Week 18, they’ll have a chance to win the division in the finale against Seattle because they already beat the Seahawks once.