The Los Angeles Rams were eight minutes away from blowing out the Seattle Seahawks and taking control of the NFC’s No. 1 seed heading into the final two games of the season. Despite blowing that 16-point lead, the Rams just needed a defensive stop in overtime to beat the Seahawks and take control of the NFC’s No. 1 seed heading into the final two games of the season.
So much could have gone differently and instead of the Seahawks and 49ers playing for the NFC’s top seed on Saturday night, it could have been the Rams looking to clinch with a win over the Arizona Cardinals. Instead, the Rams lost to the Seahawks, which was followed by a second consecutive loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The Rams now need to beat the Cardinals and get help from the Seahawks to get the NFC’s No. 5 seed.
The Rams are undoubtedly playing their worst football of the season. It’s the complete opposite of the last two years. Over the last two seasons, the Rams have headed into the playoffs playing their best football of the year. They were peaking at the right time. That didn’t result in a trip to the Super Bowl, but the Rams were a tough out in both years. It’s very possible that this Rams team peaked too early, having won seven of eight games between Weeks 6-15.
Earlier this week, we asked fans how confident they were in the Rams following the loss to the Falcons. Following the results of that poll and due to the team’s lack of form, only 41 percent of Rams fans are currently confident that the team is heading in the right direction.
If there is a silver lining, it’s that the Rams have a game against the Arizona Cardinals on deck. Whenever the Rams have needed a ‘get-right’ game, a game against the Cardinals is typically what the doctor has ordered. A win against the Cardinals should at least have the team feeling better about itself heading into the postseason. However, it may still be too little too late.
