The Los Angeles Rams checked a big box on Saturday night when they beat the Arizona Cardinals, 13-9. It improved their record to 10-6, but more importantly, it moved them one step closer to clinching the NFC West.
In fact, they can lock up the division as early as Sunday if they get some help from other teams around the NFL to clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Seahawks. If that happens, they could potentially rest their starters in a meaningless Week 18 game, giving them a week off before the playoffs.
Coming out of their win over the Cardinals, their attention will now turn to five teams that will be in action on Sunday and Monday. If they get at least two wins and a tie from five of the teams below, the division will be theirs.
Here’s an updated rooting guide for the Rams in Week 17.
- Bills (vs. NYJ, 1 p.m. ET)
- Browns (vs. MIA 4:05 p.m. ET)
- Vikings (vs. GB, 4:25 p.m. ET)
- Commanders (vs. ATL, 8:20 p.m. ET)
- 49ers (vs. DET, 8:15 pm. ET Monday)
The Bengals helped the Rams out earlier on Saturday by beating the Broncos in overtime, which was one of the wins Los Angeles needed in the strength of victory formula. Now, only 2.5 more wins are needed to complete the equation and secure the division for the Rams.
It’s not unreasonable to think three of those five teams will win this weekend to give the Rams a big assist, so it’s very possible Los Angeles will be celebrating a division title as early as Sunday.