Los Angeles Rams' NFL Playoff Chances: 4-Way Tie, Green Bay Packers Problem
Just a minute (or so) ago, the Los Angeles Rams were in self-admitted "remodeling'' mode. They were 3-6, plagued by injury and facing an uphill battle toward credibility.
But suddenly ... the hill looks conquerable ... and crazy as it might seem to critics, the NFL Playoffs look within their grasp.
The Rams' NFL Sunday Week 13 win over the Browns - a third straight success - vaults L.A. to 6-6 - and yes, a 6-6 record is good enough for a projected NFC playoff berth. In fact, it's good enough for two berths, as the Rams are now in a four-way tie with that record.
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That's the good news. The not-so good? Seven teams make the NFC playoffs ... and the Rams, due to all the complicated tiebreakers, are slotted at No. 8.
The biggest obstacle might be the Green Bay Packers, who forced their way into that four-way tie at 6-6 with their Sunday night upset over the Kansas City Chiefs.
If that result doesn't happen, the Rams are sitting more pretty and would be tied, record-wise, with the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings.
What's the Packers problem specifically? The loss that sent the Rams to 3-6 was to ... yes, the Packers. And of course, head-to-head is the first tiebreaker.
There's still lots of football to play, with lots of focus up top in the NFC, where the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions are jousting.
But the action figures to be almost as good down below. Take a look ...
Division Leaders
1. Philadelphia (10-2)
2. San Francisco (9-3)
3. Detroit (9-3)
4. Atlanta (6-6)
Wild-Card Race
5. Dallas (9-3)
6. Minnesota (6-6)
7. Green Bay (6-6)
8. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
9. Seattle (6-6)
10. Tampa Bay (5-7)
11. New Orleans (5-7)
Again ... The Packers own a head-to-head win over the Rams. But it is helpful that the Rams beat the Seahawks twice. And if Los Angeles can stay hot? A "remodeling'' roster might just make the NFL playoffs.
