Coming into Week 16, the Los Angeles Rams had an golden alternative to solidify their place within the NFC West standings as they went on the street to tackle the New York Jets.
It wasn’t the sharpest recreation from the Rams as they fell behind early to the struggling Jets, however the protection got here up huge within the second half to seal the victory and enhance the group’s report to 9-6. It marked Los Angeles’ fourth consecutive win however extra importantly allowed them to stay in first place within the division.
Nonetheless, that wasn’t the one excellent news the Rams obtained on Sunday as in addition they noticed the Arizona Cardinals lose in extra time to the Carolina Panthers, whereas the Seattle Seahawks misplaced at residence to the Minnesota Vikings. The Cardinals dropped to 7-8 whereas the Seahawks now sit at 8-7.
Los Angeles’ win and Arizona’s loss eradicated the latter from playoff rivalry, leaving Seattle because the lone group that may threaten the Rams for the division title. The San Francisco 49ers had been additionally eradicated from making the playoffs after the Washington Commanders got here again to beat the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, L.A. owns a one-game lead over Seattle and might clinch the NFC West as early as Week 17. With the intention to accomplish this, the Rams have to beat the Cardinals whereas the Seahawks have to lose to the Chicago Bears.
The Rams play on Saturday, however the Seahawks will see the Bears on the street on Thursday Evening Soccer so the previous will know whether or not they can clinch the division earlier than kick off. Whereas Chicago has hardly been spectacular in the course of the 2024 season, they received’t be a group that Seattle can take calmly as they’ve been aggressive in latest weeks.
If Seattle finds a method lose, then Los Angeles will have the ability to relaxation its starters in Week 18 when the 2 groups face off. Nonetheless, if each groups win in Week 17 then there will probably be tiebreaker implications for the matchup. That may come all the way down to power of report, which the Rams are main in at the moment however received’t be formally determined till the tip of the common season. Here’s a breakdown of which video games will profit the Rams:
Rams situations to win the NFC West this week:
SEA loss/tie (at CHI Thurs) + LA win over ARI
— or —
Rams win + 4 wins from this group, all enjoying at residence:
CIN (Sat) vs Broncos WAS vs Falcons BUF vs Jets MIN vs Packers CLE vs Dolphins SF (Mon) vs Lions
— J.B. Lengthy (@JB_Long) December 24, 2024
Regardless, what head coach Sean McVay and the group have performed the previous month is nothing wanting spectacular. Not many individuals anticipated the Rams to make the postseason after beginning the common season 1-4, however now it’s almost a lock they qualify assuming they care for enterprise.
Sean McVay says being first in NFC West doesn’t change something for Rams
Sean McVay understands full nicely that issues are removed from settled because it pertains to the playoff race, so he emphasised that nothing modifications for the Rams regardless of sitting in first within the NFC West standings.
