It’s been a long time since the Los Angeles Rams were viewed as one of the 10 best teams in the NFL, but that’s exactly the respect they’ve earned after winning five of their last six games to get to 8-7 and in the sixth spot in the NFC.
In this week’s power rankings roundup, the Rams are widely viewed as a top-10 unit, with the majority of experts putting them among the 10 best in football right now. Here’s a look at where the Rams rank heading into a Week 17 matchup with the Giants on Sunday afternoon.
Touchdown Wire: No. 10
The Rams cracked the top 10 in Touchdown Wire’s power rankings after being 12th last week. There aren’t many teams playing better than Los Angeles right now.
Last Week: 12
Matthew Stafford is playing some of the best football of his career, and the Rams are the hottest team in the NFC. Heaven have mercy on the division-winner that draws them in the wild card round because no one should want to play the Rams right now.
USA TODAY: No. 12
USA TODAY only moved the Rams up one spot after beating the Saints, keeping them out of the top 10 for now.
12. Rams (13): Don’t sleep on them. Despite a challenging schedule, they’ve been in every game this season save two, the ones where QB Matthew Stafford was hurt. He looked fully healthy Sunday, as did rejuvenated RB Kyren Williams. If LA, which is 4-1 in NFC West games, can get WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua cranking again, this team could easily crack the playoff field.
The Athletic: No. 10
The Rams didn’t move up or down this week after beating the Saints. The Athletic kept them at No. 10, but that could change with a win over the Giants on Sunday.
Los Angeles has won five of six games, and in that span, the 35-year-old Stafford has thrown 15 touchdown passes and two interceptions. In each of the last 10 years in which Stafford has played a full season, he has thrown for at least 3,700 yards. He is 11th all time in passing yards with 56,058 in 15 seasons after throwing for 328 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints on Thursday.
CBS Sports: No. 10
One of the biggest moves made by the Rams this week was in CBS Sports‘ power rankings, going from 16th to 10th.
It’s hard to believe they are in the position they are in terms of the playoff race. Sean McVay can flat out coach.
Bleacher Report: No. 11
Bleacher Report moved the Rams up two spots after their win against the Saints, calling them a team with a “legitimate shot at the playoffs.”
After an offseason of veteran player departures, expectations for the Los Angeles Rams were modest. But after downing the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night, the Saints have a legitimate shot at the playoffs with two games to play.
ProFootballTalk: No. 9
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio is usually low on the Rams, but he’s giving them some respect as a top-10 team by ranking them ninth -- up five spots from last week’s position.
9. Rams (8-7, No. 14): Yes, they're a top 10 team.
Pro Football Network: No. 10
Pro Football Network joined the fun and ranked the Rams as a top-10 team this week, bumping them up three spots from Week 16.
No NFC team wants to play the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round. Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford are all playing at an incredibly high level offensively. However, the real MVPs are on the front line and in the backfield.
