On the other hand, eight losses locks them out
Although five games remain to be played, the Los Angeles Rams narrow path to the playoffs has become clear. Whether it’s the NFC West top spot or WildCard berth #7, it basically boils down to a race to 10 wins or eight losses.
Each week may present its up-and-downs, and it’s possible an individual team may go red hot and run the table, but generally, if all the competing teams play to form, 10 wins gets a playoff spot and eight loss teams look to next year.
It’s Week 14, NFL teams approach the final turn and jockey for position going into the final stretch.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
At the top of the card, the Cardinals host the Seahawks for a first place prize. Seattle looks to widen its lead before taking on two likely playoff teams, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings from a strong NFC North. With a win, Arizona could get a big jump in the race to 10 wins. Although nothing is sure in the NFL, their next two opponents, the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers are a combined 6-19.
In the Los Angeles Rams versus Buffalo Bills matchup, very few experts give L.A. much of a chance. The Bills are playing for the top AFC seed, while the Rams need a win to not only show they can beat a top team, but to give them a little breathing room before hitting the road for two straight games. In four days, L.A. turns around to battle the arch rival 49ers on Thursday night and the moves east for the New York Jets.
The Bills have what troubles the Rams defense most, a good run game and a mobile quarterback that can extend and make plays off platform. While the Bills defense is not oppressive, they defend both the run and pass well. Both teams are quarterback reliant and whichever of two, Matthew Stafford or Josh Allen, plays best, the game likely follows.
david vs goliath? pic.twitter.com/27PJ12Wl8e
— roberto clemente (@rclemente2121) December 5, 2024
Already saddled with seven losses, the San Francisco 49ers have the steepest trail. They are positioned to have to run the table. This week they host the Chicago Bears, a team heating up offensively while cooling down defensively. Both teams have long injury lists. Either way, expect a close game, eight of the Bears 12 games have been decided seven points or less.
WildCard berth #7
The odds of the Rams, or any of the NFC West, sneaking into the final WildCard spot are long and it basically depends on the current tenant’s wheels coming off. But since it’s not mathematically decided…
Commanders (8-5)
Washington has a bye this weekend and with eight wins already in the books, owns the shortest path, but a seven-loss season is well within the realm of possibility. The Commanders intra-divisional record is just 2-2, so a tie for that last WildCard spot could easily slip through their grasp. All that said, facing the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys is not a terribly stretch drive.
Buccaneers (6-6)
Along with a peek at the WildCard, the Bucs are still embroiled in the NFC South race. While 6-6 currently ties with the Atlanta Falcons, the kestrels hold the head-to-head tie breaker. Tampa Bay does have a workable schedule, they host the 2-10 Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday and of their final four games, only the Los Angeles Chargers have a winning record.
Cowboys (5-7)
Dallas is included only because of mathematics, it would take a miracle for the ‘Pokes to get the final WildCard. If playing the Cincinnati Bengals this week doesn’t stick a fork in them, upcoming games with Philadelphia and Washington will.
Too early to prospect the playoffs?
Certainly not. NFL parity has allowed the Rams to still be playoff relevant, even at .500 with a sputtering offense, and bargain bin defense wrapped around a couple of future stars. This is what it’s all about and fans should want to squeeze every last bit of ecstasy, and yes, agony out of it.
Just get to the playoffs, anything can happen from there. If it’s one and done, so be it. We’ll still have plenty of time for cussin’ and discussin’ draft possibilities.
