The Rams don’t have a very good chance to earn the No. 1 seed anymore after Thursday’s loss
The Los Angeles Rams had a golden opportunity to almost ensure that the NFC playoffs would go through SoFi Stadium. They were leading the Seattle Seahawks, 30-14, with less than 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter on Thursday night. A win would’ve given them a 95% chance to win the NFC West and a 90% chance to earn the No. 1 seed.
Instead, they blew their two-score cushion in a matter of minutes, allowing the Seahawks to come all the way back and win in overtime, 38-37. It was a gut-wrenching loss by the Rams, especially considering the Seahawks are a division rival and now hold the lead in the West.
By no means are the Rams out of the running for the division title or a first-round bye, but their odds have plummeted as a result of Thursday’s game. According to The Athletic, the Rams only have a 24% chance to win the division now after entering Week 16 with a 60% chance.
Their odds to earn the No. 1 seed have sunk to just 20%, needing the Seahawks to slip up in the final two weeks. Those odds will drop to 14% if the 49ers beat the Colts on Monday night, as well.
The Rams went from being in the driver’s seat to maybe not even riding shotgun in the division. They could be kicked to the back seat by the 49ers, possibly dropping to third in the NFC West.
In all likelihood, they’ll have to go on the road in the first round of the playoffs, though that could come with facing the NFC South – either the Bucs or Panthers.
With two games remaining, the job isn’t done, but it’s hard to feel good about their chances to get a first-round bye now.