After beating the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night, the Los Angeles Rams’ playoff odds jumped to 72%. It was a huge win for Sean McVay’s squad because a loss would’ve sunk their postseason chances below 20%.
There was still a lot of football to be played in Week 16, with games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, many of which impacted the Rams’ playoff odds. The Rams got some help from the Lions, who beat the Vikings, but the Packers, Seahawks, Bucs and Falcons all won.
The game that hurt the Rams’ chances the most was Seattle’s comeback win over the Titans, the second straight week the Seahawks won a game in the final minute. Had the Seahawks lost that game, the Rams would’ve been alone at 8-7 instead of tied with Seattle.
Still, the Rams have a very good chance to make the playoffs. According to the New York Times, they have a 68% chance to get into the postseason. A win over the Giants improves it to 88%, and wins in the final two weeks will clinch Los Angeles a playoff berth no matter what else happens.
There’s a good chance the Rams will need to beat the 49ers in Week 18. If they beat the Giants on Sunday and the Seahawks (vs. PIT, at ARI) and Packers (at MIN, vs. CHI) both win their final two games, the Rams will be eliminated from contention with a loss to the 49ers.
There are only two weeks left in the regular season but there’s still a lot to be sorted out in a tight NFC playoff race.
