The Los Angeles Rams have posted an up-and-down 2024 campaign, but they’re still in contention for the NFL playoffs. Can Sean McVay’s squad still make the dance? Let’s examine where Los Angeles stands using Pro Football Network’s Playoff Predictor.
Can the Rams Still Make the Playoffs?
The Rams are 7-6 and have a 39.8% chance of making the playoffs. Los Angeles now has a 0.0% chance for the first seed, a 1.1% chance for the second seed, a 18.1% chance for the third seed, a 6.9% chance for the fourth seed, a 0.1% chance for the fifth seed, a 1.6% chance for the sixth seed, and a 11.9% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Rams Still Win the NFC West?
Here’s what the NFC West race looks like:
- The Arizona Cardinals have a 14.7% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Seattle Seahawks have a 52.2% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Los Angeles Rams have a 26.1% chance to win the NFC West.
- The San Francisco 49ers have a 7% chance to win the NFC West.
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’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 15: at San Francisco 49ers
- Week 16: at New York Jets
- Week 17: vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Rams Preview Ahead of the Bills Game
No NFL team is deploying six offensive linemen — often known as Jumbo packages — at a higher rate than the Bills this season. Sean McDermott’s club has trotted out an extra OL on 108 plays in 2024, more than double the next closest team.
The Bills aren’t simply lining up for three yards and a cloud of dust. Buffalo averages an 11% explosive run rate and a 30.8% explosive pass rate from heavy personnel, both of which are No. 1 among teams with at least 35 Jumbo snaps this season.
The Los Angeles Rams’ defense has faced only 16 plays with six offensive linemen on the field. Just three of those were passes, and none involved play action.
Josh Allen is averaging 8.3 yards per attempt from Jumbo packages — that jumps to 9.3 yards when he uses play action from six-OL looks. Nine of Allen’s 21 attempts with play action and six offensive linemen on the field have gone for 10+ yards.
The Rams have struggled against play action in general, ranking 27th in passing success rate and 30th in EPA per dropback vs. run fakes. If the Bills can get Los Angeles into its base defensive package and then take shots over the top, they could have success in Week 14.