NFL Playoff Scenarios: Rams Can Clinch Postseason Berth in Week 15 vs. Seahawks
Fresh off their huge win over the Arizona Cardinals, the Los Angeles Rams have the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot this Sunday. The top-heavy NFC has made it a distinct possibility for the Rams to punch their ticket as early as Week 15.
Rams clinch a playoff berth with:
1) Rams win + Vikings loss/tie + Saints loss/tie
Or 2) Rams win + Vikings loss/tie + Eagles tie
Or 3) Rams win + Saints loss/tie + Eagles tie
Or 4) Rams tie + Vikings loss + Saints loss + Falcons loss/tie
(obtained via NFLPlayoffScenerios.com)
Matchups in Week 15:
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (Monday)
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles
Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers
The most likely scenario for the Rams to clinch would be the first one listed. Despite the Rams' current situation with COVID-19, they still appear to be in favor of victory over the Seahawks this weekend, according to the betting oddsmakers.
The Vikings travel to a chilly Chicago for Monday Night Football to take on a Bears team that put up a solid fight against the Packers last week. Despite snapping their five-game losing streak, it would be an uphill battle for the Saints to take down Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at home.
After the Rams' Week 14 win over the Cardinals Monday night, they find themselves alive in the NFC West race. Sitting just one game behind the Cardinals, their race for the division could come down to the final week of the season.
Here's how the Rams and Cardinals stack up the rest of the way:
Arizona Cardinals
Week 15: at Detroit Lions
Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 17: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams
Week 15: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 17: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 18: vs. San Francisco 49ers
According to FiveThirtyEight's playoff projection, the Cardinals still have an 89% chance to win the NFC West, leaving the Rams with only an 11% chance based on their current calculations.
More from Ram Digest:
- Rams' Wednesday Injury Report for Week 15 vs. Seahawks
- Cardinals vs. Rams Delivers Highest Monday Night Football Viewership Since ESPN's Season Opener
- Rams Add Three More Players to Reserve/COVID-19 List, Bringing Total to 16
- Rams vs. Seahawks Betting Odds: Point Spread, Over/Under, Moneyline
- Rams DT Aaron Donald Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
- Rams Add Nine Players to Reserve/COVID-19 List, Activate TE Tyler Higbee
- Rams Close Training Facility in Attempt to Stop COVID-19 Outbreak
- Rams WR Odell Beckham Jr. Reportedly Tests Positive for COVID-19
- SI Power Rankings: Rams Ascend Into Top Five Territory in Week 15
- 5 Takeaways From the Rams' Week 14 Win Over Cardinals
Connor is a writer for Ram Digest, covering all things Rams. Follow Connor (@Connorobrien4) and Ram Digest (@RamDigestSI) on Twitter for more coverage.
