As we move deeper into the second half of the 2024 NFL season, the playoff picture becomes clearer. The Los Angeles Rams are in the thick of a four-way battle for the NFC West title. They could win the division or miss the playoffs entirely.
Let’s examine where their playoff odds lie after defeating the Saints in Week 13.
Can the Rams Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 14, the Los Angeles Rams are 6-6 and now have a 26.0% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.0% chance for the first seed, a 0.5% chance for the second seed, an 11.9% chance for the third seed, a 4.9% chance for the fourth seed, a 0.1% chance for the fifth seed, a 1.0% chance for the sixth seed, and a 7.6% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Rams Win the NFC West?
Here’s what the NFC West race looks like heading into Week 14:
- The Arizona Cardinals have a 45.0% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Seattle Seahawks have a 32.1% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Los Angeles Rams have a 17.4% chance to win the NFC West.
- The San Francisco 49ers have a 5.6% chance to win the NFC West.
Current NFC West Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
- Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
- Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
- San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
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 After Week 13
Can Los Angeles win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that the Rams have a 3.1% chance to win it all.
Rams’ Remaining Schedule
- 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 Rams vs. Saints Matchup
What a whirlwind of a season it has been for the Saints. They started the season on fire, winning their first two games in blowout fashion. Then, they lost seven consecutive games, the last of which was a brutal road loss to the Carolina Panthers. That led to the dismissal of Dennis Allen as head coach. Since then, interim head coach Darren Rizzi has led them to two straight victories, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.
The Saints have dealt with a medley of injuries this year. Most notably, star WR Chris Olave is on IR due to a concussion. They’ve also been without WR2 Rashid Shaheed for several weeks now due to a season-ending knee injury. Derek Carr is being asked to do a lot with basically just Alvin Kamara. Well…there’s also that Taysom Hill guy.
Before the bye, Hill had the best game of his career, rushing for 138 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching eight passes for 50 yards. Saquon Barkley just amassed over 300 yards from scrimmage against the Rams. Given the state of the Saints’ passing attack, this looks like a game where they will lean heavily on Kamara and Hill.
Sean McVay’s plan of attack for his Rams will likely be the opposite. The Saints have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, allowing the third-most passing yards per game. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp looking like the best version of themselves, we should see a pass-heavy approach from the Rams. A total of 66% of the passing yards allowed by the Saints have gone to wide receivers. Nacua and Kupp could both go over 100 yards in this one.
The Rams enter the game with only one more win than the Saints. Yet, this game feels more important for them, as they are simultaneously one game behind the Seahawks for the division lead and tied with the 49ers for last place.
New Orleans is two games back but will likely need to win out to make the playoffs. The Saints enter this game as 2.5-point home underdogs. It has a total of 49.
PFN Prediction: Rams 27, Saints 24