4) The NFC West is a two-team race, and the Rams are in control. For the second straight game, the Rams’ defense allowed fewer than 10 points. Los Angeles started the season 1-4 and a month ago, it was 5-6. But the Rams’ receivers got healthy and Sunday’s victory over the Jets, the Rams’ fourth in a row, gave them nine wins. Combined with the Seahawks’ loss to the Vikings, the Rams now have a one-game lead in the West. The Cardinals, who earlier in the season appeared to be the team to beat, were eliminated with an overtime loss to the Panthers. The Rams finish with two games at home — against the already-eliminated Cardinals and, in Week 18, against the Seahawks. The Rams won their first meeting.
