Rams Playoff Outlook: Potential Wild-Card Matchups and Possible Seeding Results

The Los Angeles Rams remain uncertain about their playoff seeding and potential wild-card opponents heading into the final day of the NFL regular season. Despite the Seattle Seahawks’ recent win, which benefits the Rams by keeping their playoff hopes alive, their exact positioning depends heavily on Sunday’s outcomes.

A key factor is the Rams’ matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, where they are strong favorites. A victory there would secure them the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs. However, if they lose, they drop to the No. 6 seed. This distinction impacts their first-round matchup and the level of difficulty they will face.

Rams at No. 5 Seed: Possible Opponents
If Los Angeles wins, two potential opponents loom based on the NFC South results:

1. Vs. Carolina Panthers (No. 4 seed) – This happens if the Rams and the Atlanta Falcons both win their games. Despite the Panthers’ recent loss to the Buccaneers, they would still enter the playoffs as division champions due to their divisional record. This is the most probable scenario given current odds, with the Rams heavily favored against Arizona and the Falcons slight favorites over the New Orleans Saints. The Rams would know this matchup shortly after the Falcons’ game concludes.

2. Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 4 seed) – Should the Falcons lose or tie against the Saints and the Rams beat the Cardinals, Los Angeles would face Tampa Bay instead. The Rams previously dominated the Buccaneers in a convincing 34-7 victory earlier this season, making this an advantageous pairing for Los Angeles.

Rams at No. 6 Seed: Possible Opponents
In the event of a loss to Arizona, the Rams would fall to the sixth seed and face a tougher opponent:

1. Vs. Philadelphia Eagles (No. 3 seed) – The defending conference champions could be a challenging first-round adversary. For the Rams to face Philadelphia, either the Bears must win their game against Detroit or the Eagles must lose to the Washington Commanders. The Eagles are resting starters in their final game, increasing the likelihood of a loss and thus this possible matchup.

2. Vs. Chicago Bears (No. 3 seed) – This option arises if the Rams lose, the Eagles win, and Chicago loses. While not an ideal draw, the Bears have been inconsistent, and the Rams would likely be favored in a playoff contest against them.

The Rams hold their destiny in their hands regarding seeding: a win guarantees the fifth seed, and a loss relegates them to the sixth. The implications of these positions affect not only the difficulty of their initial opponent but also the home-field advantage that comes with a higher seed. Facing the NFC South champion as the fifth seed is generally seen as preferable compared to a tough matchup with either the Eagles or Bears.

Sunday’s games remain crucial for the Rams and their fans. The final seedings will emerge after results from critical NFC South clashes and the Cardinals’ game. These outcomes will shape the playoff landscape and determine the Rams’ path towards a potential Super Bowl run.