The Los Angeles Rams are back in the playoffs under Sean McVay, and looking to right what they likely felt was a wrong from last year’s playoff run. The Rams trailed the eventual world champion Philadelphia Eagles 28-22 and penetrated deep into Eagles’ territory. Jalen Carter killed the Rams’ drive by sacking Matthew Stafford and forcing the Rams behind the sticks. Eventually, they failed on fourth down, and the Eagles advanced.
The Eagles rolled through their next two games, but the Rams pushed them harder than anyone else in last year’s postseason. Now, Los Angeles enters January loaded again, with Matthew Stafford coming off what may have been the first MVP season of his career and an elite receiver duo in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Breaking Down the Rams’ Next Opponent
The Rams pair that firepower with an aggressive defense and a reliable run game. They opened as double-digit favorites against NFC South champion Carolina, despite an earlier loss, and came away with a close win. Now, Los Angeles is expected to set up intriguing Divisional Round scenarios.
After their win over the Panthers in the Wild Card round, the Rams could face the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round if both the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers lose this week.
#UPDATE: After the Eagles’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, the Rams will face the Chicago Bears in the Divisional Round.
Since the Packers (seventh-seed) and the 49ers (sixth-seed) entered the postseason with a lower seed than Carolina, they’ll be matched up against Seattle, which had a bye in the Wild Card round.
To simplify things, let’s review all the games in chronological order.
If the Packers beat the Bears on Saturday night, the Rams will then play the winner of the Eagles and 49ers game on Sunday afternoon.
The Rams have played both teams this season, splitting their season series with the 49ers, while losing to Philadelphia earlier this year.
If Chicago wins, more possibilities will open up.
With an Eagles win at home, the Rams would be ticketed for Seattle, where they just were a few weeks ago for what was possibly the best game of the season. The Rams and Seahawks split their meetings this year, with both teams protecting their home field.
If San Francisco wins, the Rams would be ticketed for the windy city to take on the Chicago Bears.
The Rams have not played the Bears this season, but Matthew Stafford has plenty of experience playing in Chicago from his days with the Detroit Lions.
Can the Rams Host a Divisional Round Game?
In short, it is possible, but it would require the road warriors to reign on Wild Card Weekend.
The Rams are the fifth seed in the NFC playoffs, and due to the reasons laid out above, they’ll only have one path to hosting a game in the Divisional Round.
That would require the Packers to beat the Bears on Saturday, while the 49ers beat the Eagles on Sunday.
If that happens, the Packers would head to Seattle, while the Rams would host the 49ers in the Divisional Round.
