Rams moved into first place in the NFC West after the Seahawks lost on SNF
The Green Bay Packers gave the red-hot Los Angeles Rams an early Christmas gift ahead of Week 16 as LA continues their late-season surge.
The Rams have -164 odds to make the playoffs at FanDuel Sportsbook. LA leapfrogged the Seahawks as they jumped into first place in the NFC West thanks to the Seahawks’ 30-13 home loss to the Packers on Sunday Night Football.
Three teams in the conference have clinched playoff berths including the Lions, Eagles and Vikings. Minnesota secured a playoff spot following Green Bay’s primetime win in Seattle. The Buccaneers and Commanders inched closer to punching their ticket after earning huge wins over the Chargers and Saints respectively.
NFC standings
1 – Lions (12-2)
2 – Eagles (12-2)
3 – Buccaneers (8-6)
4 – Rams (8-6)
5 – Vikings (11-2)
6 – Packers (10-4)
7 – Commanders (9-5)
In the hunt:
8 – Seahawks (8-6)
9 – Cardinals (7-7)
10 – Falcons (6-7 – play Raiders on Monday Night Football)
Seattle’s loss to the Packers on Sunday night did not drop them fully out of the NFC playoff picture as they remain in the hunt for the division crown. Arizona ended their three-game losing streak with a 30-17 win over the Patriots. The Cardinals have the Panthers in Week 16 while the Seahawks face the Vikings. Both teams could realistically sit at 8-7 before the holidays. Also, Seattle could be in trouble depending on the severity of Geno Smith’s knee injury he suffered versus GB.
LA now has the shortest odds to win the NFC West at -145 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Behind the Rams are the Seahawks (+180) and the Cardinals (+700) with three games left to play.
Seahawks’ remaining schedule
Week 16: vs Vikings
Week 17: at Bears
Week 18: at Rams
Cardinals’ remaining schedule
Week 16: at Panthers
Week 17: at Rams
Week 18: at 49ers
The NFC West chase remains a three-team race as the NFL season winds down. With matchups against the Cardinals and Seahawks on the horizon, the Rams still have full control of their playoff destiny. LA must continue winning as the margin is growing increasingly razor-thin entering the homestretch.
