Rams get an early Christmas gift from a division rival on Sunday night but still have a lot more work to do during the holiday season
The Los Angeles Rams woke up to some good news on Monday after getting an early Christmas gift late Sunday night from a division rival.Following the Seattle Seahawks' 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, the Rams are now in first place in the NFC West for the first time all […]
The Los Angeles Rams woke up to some good news on Monday after getting an early Christmas gift late Sunday night from a division rival.
Following the Seattle Seahawks' 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, the Rams are now in first place in the NFC West for the first time all season with three weeks left to go in the regular season.
The latest swing in the standings is a testament to the resilience of this Rams' squad coming off three massive wins after dealing with multiple injuries to key players earlier in the season but there's still more to be done.
"[Sean McVay] broke it down for us and did a hell of a job going, 'Hey, there's this many days' left,'" quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "It's a great way to galvanize the group. I thought it was an awesome message. He does such a great job in front of our team at all times, but that was one that definitely resonated with the group. Guys are rallying behind it and continuing to do whatever we can to try and win games."
Just because the Rams took the division lead doesn't mean they won't lose it just as quickly as they got it. Right now, both the Rams and the Seahawks are 8-6 and the Rams' overtime win in Seattle in Week 9 is the only thing keeping them in first. And right behind those two is the Arizona Cardinals, who had a strong showing on Sunday to get back to .500 on the season.
Just like the last few years, the NFC West is shaping up to be the most competitive division in the league with major playoff implications up for grabs. For example, after last week, the Rams weren't even in a playoff spot. If the season ended today, the Rams would be the four seed and would be hosting a playoff game at SoFi Stadium. That's how tight things are in the NFC playoff picture right now.
The easiest path for the Rams to get into the playoffs is by taking back the NFC West crown and they have a pretty favorable remaining schedule to clinch the division. Here's the remaining three games for the entire division:
Rams:
– @ NYJ (4-10)
– vs ARI (7-7)
– vs SEA (8-6)
Seahawks:
– vs MIN (11-2 pending MNF)
– @ CHI (4-9 pending MNF)
– @ LAR (8-6)
Cardinals:
– @ CAR (3-11)
– @ LAR (8-6)
– vs SF (6-8)
49ers:
– @ MIA (6-8)
– vs DET (12-2)
– @ ARI (7-7)
With two home games in the final three games and a trip to New York against a 4-win team in the Jets, the path is on the Rams' side saying they can capitalize. The Rams are also the only team in the division with two home games in the final three weeks, so the team will need the fanbase to show out and support down the stretch.
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