The Los Angeles Rams failed to come away with a victory in Week 14, losing in dramatic fashion to the Baltimore Ravens in overtime. While the loss certainly didn’t crush the team’s playoff chances, a win would’ve put them in the driver’s seat for the seventh seed in the NFC.
With four weeks remaining, there’s still plenty of time for them to overtake the Vikings or Packers, who hold the sixth and seventh seeds in the conference. And thankfully, both the Packers and Seahawks lost in Week 14, so the Rams didn’t lose any ground on them.
Here’s a look at the NFC playoff picture with four weeks to go and the Rams currently sitting eighth.
NFC playoff picture
- 49ers: 10-3
- Cowboys: 10-3
- Lions: 9-4
- Buccaneers: 6-7
- Eagles: 10-3
- Vikings: 7-6
- Packers: 6-7
The NFC standings experienced some shuffling in Week 14, specifically at the top. The 49ers overtook the Eagles for the No. 1 seed, with the Cowboys also taking the division lead and No. 2 seed over Philadelphia thanks to their win on Sunday night.
The Lions remained fourth, but the Buccaneers jumped in front of the Falcons for the NFC South lead with their win on Sunday. The Vikings and Packers remained sixth and seventh, but Green Bay’s loss to the Giants on Monday night certainly helped the Rams because they’re both still tied at 6-7.
The Rams will need to finish a game ahead of the Packers in the wild-card race, though, because Green Bay owns the tiebreaker thanks to its Week 9 win over Los Angeles.
In the hunt
- Rams: 6-7
- Seahawks: 6-7
- Falcons: 6-7
- Saints: 6-7
- Giants: 5-8
- Bears: 5-8
The Rams are still the eighth seed despite losing to the Ravens. That’s because the Seahawks also lost to the 49ers, meaning both teams are still tied. Since the Rams swept Seattle, they hold the tiebreaker, which could be a big deal down the stretch if these two teams remain tied.
The Giants and Bears are hanging around after pulling off Week 14 upsets, and they’re just one game out of a playoff spot somehow. It’s highly unlikely either team makes the postseason, but they’re technically in the hunt.
The Falcons and Saints’ best chance at the postseason is by winning the division, and it’s anyone’s guess which team will take the NFC South.
Remaining schedule
Week 15: vs. Commanders (4-9)
Week 16: vs. Saints (6-7)
Week 17: at Giants (5-8)
Week 18: at 49ers (10-3)
The Rams’ remaining schedule doesn’t look all that difficult, with three sub-.500 teams in the last four weeks. However, if the Monday night’s double-header taught us anything, it’s that no teams can be taken lightly.
Even the Giants look like a formidable foe after winning three straight, so they won’t be the easiest out in Week 17, which is an early 1 p.m. ET kickoff in New York.
If the 49ers rest their starters in Week 18, it’ll also help the Rams a lot in the playoff race.
