Wild Card world

LMU93

I think the starting point for the Rams is getting to 10-6 and including wins vs. Seattle and going at least 4-2 in their remaining NFC games.

But looking at schedules the Rams and Seahawks could both end up tied not only at 10-6 but also having split head-to-head and going 7-5 vs. the NFC.

So the 3rd tiebreaker is in common games so, given they beat Pittsburgh in week 2, this weekend does potentially become important for the Rams. As could the Ravens game in 3 weeks.

It’s going to be tight.

NFC playoff picture: Rams get very little help during Week 9 bye

Cameron DaSilva

NFC playoff picture: Rams get very little help during Week 9 bye

The Los Angeles Rams were one of the few teams that sat idly by over the weekend, enjoying the time off in Week 9. They watched all three of their division foes take the field, as well as several other teams in the hunt in the very competitive NFC.

Looking at the standings and playoff picture, the Rams didn’t get much help in Week 9. They lost ground in the NFC West and remain on the outside looking in when it comes to the conference standings.

Here are the games that impacted the Rams in Week 9 while they were on their bye.

49ers beat Cardinals, 28-25
The week got off to a bad start when the Cardinals failed to upset the 49ers on Thursday night. They were in the game late and had a chance to give San Francisco its first loss, but the Cardinals simply couldn’t complete the comeback. The 49ers moved to 8-0 with the win, three games ahead of the Rams.

Seahawks beat Buccaneers, 40-34 (OT)
The Buccaneers nearly gave the Rams a lot of help, but they lost in overtime to the Seahawks in Seattle. That would’ve been a huge bonus for the Rams, moving them just a half-game behind the Seahawks in the NFC West.

Chiefs beat Vikings, 26-23
Here’s where the Rams got their only real help in the playoff picture. With the Matt Moore-led Chiefs beating the Vikings, the Rams are just a half-game behind Minnesota for a wild-card spot. With the 49ers up three games, Los Angeles’ clearest path to the playoffs is with a wild-card berth, so this was helpful.

Eagles beat Bears, 22-14
This game wouldn’t have had a major impact either way, but Philadelphia moving to 5-4 is worse for the Rams than Chicago possibly being 4-4, had it beaten the Eagles. Now, the Eagles are a half-game behind the Rams in the wild-card race, though Philly could take the NFC East lead if the Cowboys lose on Monday night.

Panthers beat Titans, 30-20
The Panthers just won’t go away, now sitting at 5-3 – tied with the Rams for the seventh seed right now. Los Angeles has the head-to-head tiebreaker, should it come to that, but the Rams would prefer to see Kyle Allen lose a few games.

Chargers beat Packers, 26-11
You could technically say this one helped the Rams, but the Packers are 7-2 and play in a different division. Any loss by an NFC contender is good at this point in the season, but this loss probably won’t have any playoff implications for the Rams.