After starting the year with a 1-4 record, the Los Angeles Rams have clawed their way back up the standings and currently sit at 8-6 entering Week 16. It wasn’t an easy climb, but now two games above .500 and in the lead in the NFC West, they’re situated nicely for a potential playoff run.
All three games left on their schedule matter significantly, beginning with Sunday’s matchup against the New York Jets. However, there are also several contests around the NFL that will have an impact on Los Angeles’ playoff odds one way or another.
Using the New York Times’ playoff simulator, here is the Rams’ Week 16 rooting guide.
Current playoff odds: 72%
Entering Week 16, the Rams have a 72% chance of making the playoffs. That’s significantly better than any other team in the NFC West, with the Seahawks having a 22% chance and the Cardinals sitting at 8%.
It’s a huge discrepancy between the Rams and Seahawks because of Los Angeles’ one head-to-head win already, despite both teams sitting at 8-6.
Panthers over Cardinals
With Panthers win: 77%
With Cardinals win: 69%
The Cardinals sit one game behind the Rams in the NFC West race with a Week 17 matchup looming large. Los Angeles’ playoff odds may not be hurt significantly by a Cardinals win, but a loss by Arizona would make next week’s game much less consequential.
Whereas if the Cardinals and Rams both win this week, next week’s game will have massive playoff implications; a Rams win improves their odds to 89% but a loss drops them to 40%.
Vikings over Seahawks
With Vikings win: 78%
With Seahawks win: 62%
The Rams would love some breathing room between themselves and the Seahawks in the NFC West. They can get a little bit if they win and the Seahawks lose, which will give Los Angeles one-game cushion.
If the Rams win and the Seahawks lose, Los Angeles’ playoff odds jump to 87% – excluding the Cardinals-Panthers result. This is a key game for the Rams’ playoff hopes.
Eagles over Commanders
With Eagles win: 72%
With Commanders win: 71%
The Commanders are one game ahead of the Rams in the standings and although Los Angeles’ easiest path to the playoff is as the NFC West champion, there is a way for the Rams to catch the Commanders for a wild-card berth.
A win by the Eagles would help the Rams, if only slightly.
Other notable games
Bills over Patriots: A Bills win would improve the Rams’ strength of victory in case of a tiebreaker with the Seahawks.
49ers over Dolphins: A 49ers loss actually drops the Rams’ playoff odds to 71%, likely because a win by San Francisco will improve LA’s strength of victory.
Giants over Falcons: The Falcons are only one game back of the Rams in the wild-card race and while both teams’ clearest path is through the division, a loss by Atlanta wouldn’t hurt.
