Rams Week 16 Rooting Guide: What To Watch For On Sunday

For the first and only time this season, the Los Angeles Rams enter an NFL Sunday without an upcoming game to worry about.

After Thursday night's 30-22 home win over the New Orleans Saints, the Rams are sitting pretty at 8-7 and having won five of their past six games. As a reward for all their hard work, they now get to enjoy a mini bye week ahead of their New Year's Eve date with the New York Giants.

Still, it would be foolish to think that Sunday's slate of NFL games doesn't affect L.A.'s playoff chances because it absolutely does. As the Rams enjoy some much-needed R&R on Sunday, they'll no doubt be doing some scoreboard-watching in the background.

In case any fans want to watch along, here's a Week 16 viewing guide with advice on who to root for.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

This game doesn't have a huge impact on the Rams' playoff chances, but still enough of one to mention. With a loss, the Falcons would drop to 6-9 on the season and essentially have their Wild Card hopes end (not playoff hopes in general because the NFC South is a mess). It isn't much, but if the Colts can knock out another Wild Card contender while helping L.A.'s strength of victory, it would be a nice little Christmas present.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

By far the easiest choice on this list, Rams fans should be rooting for the Titans with every fiber of their being on Sunday. The Seahawks are just half a game back of the Rams in the Wild Card race, and while L.A. holds the tiebreaker by virtue of a season sweep, it's much better to be safe than sorry.

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Also at 7-7, the Vikings are another team pushing the Rams for a wild card spot, and they actually do have the tiebreaker advantage. The Lions are almost certainly going to win the NFC North, meaning that they aren't competing for the same spot as the Rams. Add in the fact that Detroit would be by far L.A.'s most intriguing first-round opponent, and the Lions are the easy choice here.

Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

The Packers have really dug themselves a hole with back-to-back losses putting their playoff chances in jeopardy. If they were to lose a third-straight game against the lowly Panthers, it would all but end any remaining playoff chances they have. Again, any time the Rams can have a fellow wild card contender fall out of the race, that's the option to pick.

'We've Earned It!' Rams Playoff Odds Skyrocket, Control Their Destiny

Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

A similar situation to the last one, but with much lower stakes. The Bears are holding on for dear life to any semblance of playoff hope and will be eliminated with a loss on Sunday. As undesirable as rooting for a division rival is, the Cardinals already being eliminated makes them the easy choice.