It was always going to be an uphill climb to the playoffs for the Los Angeles Rams after they started the year 1-4, but after clawing back to 4-4, they’ve lost two of their last three games and dropped back below .500.
Even in a tight race like the NFC West’s, the Rams’ postseason odds are alarmingly low, particularly after getting blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. According to the New York Times, the Rams only have a 16% chance to make the playoffs.
They entered the week with a 21% chance, and a loss was projected to drop their odds to 13%, but the Seahawks’ win over the Cardinals lessened the pain of Los Angeles’ loss to Philadelphia.
NFL.com’s playoff picture projections aren’t as kind to the Rams’ postseason chances. According to their model, Los Angeles only has a 10% chance to make the playoffs and the team currently sits 10th in the NFC behind the Cardinals and Buccaneers in the wild-card race.
If the Rams can beat the Saints on Sunday, it will increase their postseason chances to 23%, according to the NYT. That’s pending other results around the league, however, so the Rams will be hoping for the Seahawks, Cardinals and 49ers all to lose.
On the bright side, the Rams are only one game behind the Seahawks and Cardinals, and they’ve already beaten Seattle once. If they can stay afloat and beat Arizona in Week 17, they’ll have a real shot of getting in.
