Heading into Sunday’s action, there were three boxes the Los Angeles Rams would’ve loved to check: a win against the Jets, a loss by the Cardinals and a loss by the Seahawks.
That was the ideal scenario for the Rams, who entered the week with a 72% chance of making the playoffs. And that’s exactly the way things played out on Sunday, making it a perfect day for Sean McVay’s squad.
The Rams beat the Jets, 19-9, the Cardinals lost to the Panthers in overtime and the Seahawks blew a late fourth-quarter lead against the Vikings. Thanks to those three results, here’s how the NFC West looks heading into Week 17.
- Rams: 9-6
- Seahawks: 8-7
- Cardinals: 7-8 (eliminated)
- 49ers: 6-9 (eliminated)
With a one-game lead in the division, the Rams can actually clinch the NFC West crown and a playoff berth as early as Week 17. Only two things need to happen, too, making it a very realistic possibility.
Rams clinch playoff berth with:
- Win vs. Cardinals
- Seahawks loss vs. Bears
The Seahawks play the Bears on the road Thursday night, so the Rams will know whether they can lock up the division before even kicking off on Saturday night. If the Seahawks lose that one, Los Angeles could be celebrating a division title on Saturday night and potentially resting its starters in Week 18.
It’s hard to believe a team that started 1-4 could have a chance to rest its starters in a meaningless Week 18 game, but that’s certainly in the cards with two weeks remaining.
The Rams can’t technically clinch the division if they win and the Seahawks also win because Seattle could win a tiebreaker with Los Angeles if both teams finish with the same record after Week 18. It’s unlikely, but it’s possible.