Every team in the NFL has suffered a disappointing loss this season, but none will sting more than the Rams losing to the winless Jets at home on Sunday. Given the circumstances, timing and importance of this game, the Rams can’t help but feel disgusted by the way they played against New York at SoFi Stadium.
The loss sunk their record to 9-5 and caused a two-spot slide in the NFC playoff picture, losing their grip on the division lead over Seattle. The Rams can still win out and take the NFC West crown, but it’s hard to feel confident in that happening after they blew it against an 0-13 team.
With only Steelers-Bengals left on Monday night, here’s how the NFC playoff picture currently stands entering Week 16.
- Packers (11-3)*: vs. Titans, at Bears
- Saints (10-4)^: vs. Vikings, at Panthers
- Seahawks (10-4)^: vs. Rams, at 49ers
- Washington (6-8): vs. Panthers, at Eagles
- Rams (9-5): at Seahawks, vs. Cardinals
- Buccaneers (9-5): at Lions, vs. Falcons
- Cardinals (8-6): vs. 49ers, at Rams
- Bears (7-7): at Jaguars, vs. Packers
- Vikings (6-8): at Saints, at Lions
(* = clinched division, ^ = clinched playoff berth)
It’s obviously deflating to see the Rams drop two spots from the No. 3 seed to the fifth spot, but there is a silver lining. Rather than facing the Buccaneers in the first round of the playoffs, as they would with the No. 3 seed and with Tampa Bay in the sixth spot, the Rams would currently visit Washington on Wild Card Weekend.
Having to go on the road across the country obviously wouldn’t be easy, but it beats having to face Tom Brady and a star-studded Bucs team in the first round of the playoffs. The Rams already beat Washington, too, crushing Ron Rivera’s team 30-10 in Week 5.
Of course, the Rams aren’t trying to worsen their playoff positioning, but the fifth spot isn’t a bad place to be. They just can’t drop any further, otherwise they’ll be at risk of facing the Saints or Seahawks, or possibly the Packers if they lose their grip on the No. 1 seed.
In order to win the Super Bowl, the Rams will need to beat the best teams in football anyway, but it helps to get a favorable matchup in Round 1.
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