The Los Angeles Rams went into the game against the New England Patriots needing a win as much as at any point in the season. After losing to the Miami Dolphins last week, some believed the team’s playoff hopes had been flushed down the toilet. However, considering how the team has responded, the playoff race is once again a conversation. Do they still have a chance?
Examining Matthew Stafford’s odds of getting into the Wild Card
Adding a win against the Miami Dolphins last week would have been nice, but the message for the team is essentially the same. At 5-5, the Rams are in eighth place in the NFC, just one spot out of the race.
The Washington Commanders currently hold the spot and have slid into a losing streak, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles. If the Rams are going to make the playoffs, they will need to keep winning while Jayden Daniels continues to stack up losses.
Unfortunately for that outcome, the Commanders face the Cowboys and Titans in their next two games. Unless something bizarre happens, the Commanders have a great shot at jumping up to 9-4, meaning the Rams need to keep pace with two wins. They face the surging Eagles and a 4-7 Saints squad playing better than their record indicates.
If the Rams come up short in both games, they would need the Commanders to lose out while the Rams win out essentially. In those situations, the chasing team usually doesn’t get their way. As such, the next two weeks could open the door to the playoffs or slam it shut. Put simply, the Rams need to make up ground now.
If the Rams go 1-1, they most likely will have bought themselves time but also will have backed themselves into a corner as the schedule winds down.
Examining Matthew Stafford’s odds of winning the NFC West
The Rams haven’t led the division for a single moment this year, but remain in play to win the NFC West. Even if they don’t lead it until Week 18, that would be enough to get a home playoff game. With seemingly no one able to take a commanding lead this year, the Rams have the rare chance to tread water around .500 with a shot to win the division at the last moment, despite putting together a less-than-stellar performance at times this year.
As long as the 6-4 Cardinals, 5-5 49ers, and 5-5 Seattle Seahawks continue to struggle to get and maintain a record over .500, it wouldn’t take much for Stafford’s team to jump in front. Realistically, it might be their easiest road to the playoffs.
That said, the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks all need help from the Cardinals to get a shot. However, all three teams have at least one opportunity to hand Kyler Murray a loss. The Cardinals still have a December 29 showdown with the Rams looming, so if the Rams can keep pace, they could supplant the Cardinals in that game.
Of course, if a divisional opponent takes down the Cardinals, they might then become the team to chase. The schedule sets up for several potential lead changes before all is said and done. That said, if the Rams can get on a three or four-game win streak at any point, that would probably be enough to remove any drama and get themselves into the playoffs.
Put simply, there is still a long way to go and the door is wide open.
