Over the final two weeks of the season, here are the four most likely Rams playoff scenarios.
The NFL season is coming to an end, and the Los Angeles Rams currently have a 65% chance of making the playoffs. Given how the season has progressed, it would not be surprising if the Rams and 49ers face off on Sunday Night Football in Week 18. In that game, the number one seed and the final wild card spot could be on the line. Here are the games to watch over the next two weeks, as well as the most likely playoff scenarios.
The NFL season is coming to an end, and the Los Angeles Rams currently have a 65% chance of making the playoffs. Given how the season has progressed, it would not be surprising if the Rams and 49ers face off on Sunday Night Football in Week 18. In that game, the number one seed and the final wild card spot could be on the line. Here are the games to watch over the next two weeks, as well as the most likely playoff scenarios.
Los Angeles would clinch a playoff spot if the Rams won and the Seahawks lost on Sunday. This is obviously the ideal scenario, and the Rams would have already been in if Seattle had lost either of their last two games, both of which they won on game-winning drives. Mason Rudolph will start at quarterback for the Steelers, who will be without Minkah Fitzpatrick. Rudolph performed admirably last week, but Fitzpatrick completely alters the Steelers’ defensive capabilities. This appears unlikely with this game in Seattle.
This is the Week 17 game to watch for the Rams. A Vikings victory would drop the Packers to 7-9, making it impossible for them to finish with the same record as the Rams. Because of the infamous Brett Rypien game, the Packers hold the tiebreaker over the Rams. While the Packers will be without their top two cornerbacks, Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes, for this game in Minnesota, the Vikings will start rookie Jaren Hall at quarterback.
For the Rams, this is the Week 17 game to watch. A Vikings victory would drop the Packers to 7-9, preventing them from finishing with the same record as the Rams. The Packers hold the tiebreaker over the Rams due to the infamous Brett Rypien game. While the Packers are missing their top two cornerbacks,
Depending on the outcome of the Vikings-Packers game in Week 17, there are two other games that matter in Week 18. If the Vikings win against the Packers, the Rams will be watching Minnesota’s game against the Detroit Lions. Los Angeles would be watching Green Bay’s game against the Bears if the Packers “upset” the Vikings. The Rams will also pay only passing attention to the Seahawks’ game against the Cardinals on the road.
and Eric Stokes, the Vikings will start rookie Jaren Hall at quarterback.
It’s worth noting that if this game ends in a tie and the Rams win, they’ll clinch a playoff spot. A tie appears extremely unlikely, though one has yet to occur this season. If the Vikings beat the Packers, the Rams would only need the Detroit Lions to beat Minnesota at home the following week to make the playoffs. That’s preferable to the Chicago Bears winning at Lambeau Field for the first time since 2015 or needing a road win against the San Francisco 49ers.
If the unthinkable occurs and the Rams lose to the Giants, their playoff chances drop to 15%. However, depending on who wins the Week 17 game, Los Angeles could still make the playoffs with a win against the 49ers and Vikings or a loss against the Packers in Week 18. A victory over the Giants keeps the Rams in command of their own destiny.
Depending on the outcome of the Vikings-Packers game in Week 17, there are two other games that matter in Week 18. If the Vikings win against the Packers, the Rams will be watching Minnesota’s game against the Detroit Lions. Los Angeles would be watching Green Bay’s game against the Bears if the Packers “upset” the Vikings. The Rams will also pay only passing attention to the Seahawks’ game against the Cardinals on the road.
