The Los Angeles Rams began a five-day stretch, during which they host the Detroit Lions and visit the Seattle Seahawks. These two games are critical to their NFC West and NFC top-seed chances.
Los Angeles dominated the second half and pulled away from Detroit with a 24-point second half. The Rams scored 17 points in the third quarter, securing a 41-34 victory.
What Are the Rams’ Chances of Winning the NFC West and Being the No. 1 Seed?
The win clinched a playoff berth for the Rams, marking the seventh postseason appearance in nine seasons under Sean McVay.
According to PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, the Rams’ win, the 49ers’ win, and the Seahawks’ win changed Los Angeles’ chance of winning the NFC West from 54.0% to 57.0%. A loss to the Lions would have dropped their chances of winning the division to 32.8%.
The Seahawks’ chances dropped from 34.4% to 32.4% in the NFC West, while the 49ers’ division chances decreased from 11.7% to 10.5%.
According to PFSN’s NFL Strength of Schedule, the Rams have the 13th hardest remaining schedule, while the 49ers have the hardest, and the Seahawks have the ninth-hardest remaining schedules.
In the showdown with Seattle, PFSN Analytics gives Los Angeles a 49.5% chance to win on Thursday. The Rams have at least a 66.9% chance to win their final two games.
- Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks (49.5% chance to win)
- Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons (66.9% chance to win)
- Week 18: vs. Arizona Cardinals (74.7% chance to win)
It’s all in front of the Rams. If they win their final three games, they will be the top seed in the NFC. If they lose a game, they will need help to avoid being a Wild Card team. Seattle faces three teams battling for playoff spots and positioning, while the 49ers have three such games.
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The Green Bay Packers lost to the Denver Broncos and are a game and a half behind the Rams and Seahawks for the best record in the NFC. The Chicago Bears are now right behind the two NFC West teams, a game behind for the top seed.
Behind Matthew Stafford, the Rams have the top PFSN’s Offense Impact (OFFi) score in the NFL this season. Los Angeles also has the fifth-best score on PFSN’s Defense Impact (DEFi) for the year, which is a massive improvement from ranking 23rd in 2024.
Entering Week 15, the Rams have held their opponents to 10 points or fewer in an NFL-best five games. Los Angeles recorded five such games in total across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
