The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2024 NFL season with lofty expectations. But all-around struggles and a rash of key injuries led to a surprising 1-4 start for Sean McVay and Co. However, the Rams have looked like a different team following their Week 6 bye, reviving their playoff hopes.
Then, they hit a roadblock in Week 12 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Let’s take a look at the Rams’ updated playoff chances and scenarios after their Sunday Night Football loss.
Can the Rams Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 13, the Los Angeles Rams are 5-6 and now have a 17.1% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a <0.1% chance for the 1 seed, a 0.7% chance for the second seed, a 6.2% chance for the third seed, a 2.5% chance for the fourth seed, a 0.1% chance for the fifth seed, a 1.2% chance for the sixth seed, and a 6.4% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Rams Win the NFC West?
Here’s what the NFC West race looks like after all the action in Week 12:
- The Arizona Cardinals have a 53.3% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Seattle Seahawks have a 28.6% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Los Angeles Rams have a 9.4% chance to win the NFC West.
- The San Francisco 49ers have a 8.8% chance to win the NFC West.
Current NFC West Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
- Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
- Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
- San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
NFC Playoff Race | Week 16
1. Detroit Lions (13-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
7. Washington Commanders (10-5)
In The Hunt
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
Eliminated From Playoffs
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
13. New Orleans Saints (5-10)
14. Chicago Bears (4-11)
15. Carolina Panthers (4-11)
16. New York Giants (2-13)
Rams’ Super Bowl Chances in Week 12
Can the Rams win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Los Angeles has a 1.5% chance to win it all.
Rams’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 13: at New Orleans Saints
- Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills
- Week 15: at San Francisco 49ers
- Week 16: at New York Jets
- Week 17: vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks
What PFN Predicted for the Eagles vs. Rams Matchup
The Eagles enter this game on a six-game win streak, having taken sole control of first place in the NFC East. Up two games on the Commanders in the loss column, a win this week would really put them in the driver’s seat for the division.
The Rams are in a 5-5 logjam in the hyper-competitive NFC West where every week, every game could move one team into first or last.
It has been night and day for Matthew Stafford this season depending on whether his superstar wide receivers are on the field. He’s played six games without one of Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua on the field.
In those six games, Stafford has averaged 214.75 passing yards per game and 0.5 touchdowns per game. In four games with at least one of Kupp or Nacua, Stafford averages 283 passing yards per game and 1.83 touchdowns per game.
Both WRs are healthy and playing at an extremely high level. It will be a lot of fun to see how Sean McVay is able to scheme them open away from Quinyon Mitchell, who has been so good, he’s drawn 2009 Darrelle Revis comparisons.
Mitchell’s dominance has helped the Eagles attain their eighth-best 0.04 defensive EPA per dropback.
On offense, the Eagles should be able to lean on Saquon Barkley, as the Rams rank 24th in defensive rush success rate. The former Giant leads all running backs with 113.7 rushing yards per game and is averaging a career-best 5.8 yards per carry.
The Eagles are three-point road favorites and this game has a total of 50.5. We could be in for a banger of a Sunday night game.
PFN Prediction: Rams 27, Eagles 24