2023-11-23 18:35:25
The Los Angeles Rams are coming off a big 17-16 home victory against the Seattle Seahawks inside SoFi Stadium this past Sunday to get back in the playoff race and snap their three-game losing streak.
The Rams also secured the season sweep over Seattle on Sunday, after defeating them in the season opener, 31-10, in the Pacific Northwest on Sept. 10.
In the fourth quarter, everything would go Los Angeles’ way. Their defense kept the Seahawks from getting on the board.
Running back Darrell Henderson Jr. capped off a nine-play, 68-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run and Lucas Havrisik made a 22-yard field goal with 1:31 left to play before Seahawks kicker Jason Myers missed a 55-yard attempt in the final seconds to hold on for a come-from-behind one-point win.
As the schedule reaches late November, every game is important with seven games remaining on the slate for the Rams.
Where Do The Los Angeles Rams Currently Stand In The Playoff Picture?
Despite being behind the eight-ball, the Rams still have an opportunity to find their way into being one of the seven NFC teams to make the postseason.
Entering this week, the Rams are 4-6 and currently hold the No. 9 spot. The Green Bay Packers, who defeated the Los Angeles Chargers at home last week, are also 4-6 and sit in the No. 8 spot as a result of winning the tiebreaker of win percentage in conference games.
Also at 4-6 and behind the Rams, are a couple of NFC South teams in the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons host New Orleans this week and Tampa Bay travels to Indianapolis.
Sitting one and a half games ahead of the Rams and Packers are the Minnesota Vikings for the seventh and final spot. The Vikings have survived without quarterback Kirk Cousinswide receiver Justin Jeffersonand former Ram Cam Akers over the last few weeks due to injury, winning five of their last six games.
Holding the No. 6 spot in the NFC playoff picture is Seattle, who is two games ahead of the Rams.
The Los Angeles Rams Current Playoff Chances
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Being more than one game out from the final playoff spot with seven games left is challenging, but the chances are still there for the Blue and Gold to play into the second weekend in January.
According to Pro Football Focusthe Rams have about a 13% chance to make the postseason. If the Rams win on Sunday in Arizona, the chances increase to about 18%, but a loss drops them to under 10%.
With three home games and four away games remaining on the schedule, it is a challenging task.
After going to Arizona on Sunday, the Rams face two potential AFC playoff teams against Cleveland and then on the road in Baltimore.
Then the Rams see their final two home opponents of the season against Washington and the NFC South-leading Saints in Weeks 15 and 16, respectively.
The final two games of the season are on the road. In Week 17, Los Angeles makes the cross-country trip to New York to face the Giants before ending the season the following week in Santa Clara to take on the San Francisco 49ers.
Being able to face teams that are currently in the playoff picture in both conferences will explain whether this team can make the wild card round at the conclusion of the regular season.
Ultimately, the Rams need to focus on what they can do and not what the other teams around them do, despite having the toughest strength of schedule.
The Rams have the young pieces to possibly make a run with depth at each position as the season has progressed.
From the emergence of Puka Nacua from the receivers, the return of running back Kyren Williams this week to even on the defensive side of the ball with Byron Young and Kobie Turner on the line behind Aaron Donald while having a healthy Matthew Stafford, who returned on Sunday against Seattle, and the opportunity is there for the Rams to make a playoff run.
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