Rams move up a spot in the NFC standings after Buccaneers’ upset loss in Dallas
The Los Angeles Rams received an early Christmas present from the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
Dallas upset the Buccaneers 26-24 in primetime to move the Rams up to third in the NFC playoff picture with two games remaining.
Ahead of Monday Night Football between the Packers and Saints, only the Lions, Eagles and Vikings have clinched playoff spots. Green Bay can punch their ticket tonight by beating New Orleans. Detroit got some breathing room after the Commanders snapped Philadelphia’s 10-game win streak with a last-second touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels. Minnesota has won eight straight to keep pace with the Lions in the NFC North. Both teams will face each other in Week 18.
NFC standings
1 – Lions (13-2)
2 – Eagles (12-3)
3 – Rams (9-6)
4 – Falcons (8-7)
5 – Vikings (13-2)
6 – Packers (10-4)
7 – Commanders (10-5)
In the hunt:
8 – Buccaneers (8-7)
9 – Seahawks (8-7)
Eliminated:
Cowboys (7-8)
Cardinals (7-8)
49ers (6-9) – HAHAHA WHINERS!!!
Arizona’s loss to the Panthers eliminated one obstacle in the Rams’ path toward the NFC West crown. However, those same Cardinals can play spoiler and upset an LA team on a four-game winning streak so the Rams must be careful. The Rams moved one game ahead of the Seahawks following Seattle’s 27-24 loss to the Vikings. LA’s rival losing back-to-back home games to NFC contenders does nothing to help their playoff chances as the Rams have -750 odds to win the division, with the Seahawks at +500 per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Los Angeles finishes the 2024 regular season on a two-game homestand with Arizona on deck and then the Seahawks in Week 18. Seattle will travel to Chicago to play the Bears on Thursday Night Football before facing LA in the season finale.
With the final two games of the regular season at home, the Rams will have no one to blame but themselves if they cannot clinch the wide-open NFC West. The 49ers collapsing paved the way so they must do everything in their power not to squander the opportunity.
