The Rams & the NFL Playoff Picture, week 14

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 8, 2010 6:33 AM CST in 2010 St. Louis Rams season

Only four more games left. Amazing. Pro football really is the quickest season in all of pro sports...still preferable to an 18-game season. Anyway, it seems like as good a time as any to take a look at the St. Louis Rams and their place in the NFL Playoff Picture, looking at the implications of this week's games for the NFC West title chase.

Yes, the only way for the Rams to make the playoffs is by claiming the NFC West crown (said to be made of wet cardboard) because there are other teams with much better records who'll earn a wild card bid, like this week's opponent the New Orleans Saints, locked in a battle with the Falcons for the NFC South.

The Saints and the Chiefs, next week's opponent, both have winning records, 9-3 and 8-4 respectively. Sam Bradford and Co. are in New Orleans this week and home against KC. For my money, this week's game is the toughest one on the remaining schedule. The Saints do have a couple of black marks on their record, with losses to Arizona and Cleveland. Both came in the first half of the season, and Drew Brees' team has since ironed things out, winning their last five.

In San Francisco, the Seattle Seahawks take on the 49ers, a 49ers team with Alex Smith back at QB. If they can beat Seattle, they could pull within one game of the division lead, if the Rams lose. As much as we hate to do it, you've got to hold your nose and hope SF wins this game. A Seattle loss leaves the Rams in first place, regardless of what happens versus New Orleans.

Seattle faces Atlanta in week 15, while San Fran takes on the Chargers in San Diego. That's the week the Kansas City Chiefs visit St. Louis. Of course, that's no easy game for the Rams either. If all three NFC West teams lose in week 15, the Rams still have the division lead with a 6-8 record and two vitally important division games to end the season.

In short, it all comes down to week 16, at home versus the 49ers, and week 17, in Seattle, for the Rams division aspirations.

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Playoff picture

This is a very exciting time to be a Rams fan and witness first-hand the learning process this young team is growing through together. We are essentially in the playoffs already.

This upcoming game in New Orleans will be at a level never experienced by this team yet. It WILL be loud and we will facing a team capable of taking it to the big dance.

How exciting will those 2 games vs. SF and KC be ?

Have no doubts, that last game in Seattle with that atmosphere combined with what may be riding on the outcome is a huge playoff game for us.

We are gaining so much invaluable experience each and every week now. Kudos to the coaching staff. I truly believe that the game vs ATL and the preparation leading up to that game showed the Rams firsthand how to win on the road. Eliminate the stupid little costly penalties. The low amount of Ram penalties in the 2 recent road victories help support that fact.

Lastly, for the players…who is going to step up and make the big plays that get us to the promised land? These guys will be the foundation for next year’s run at the playoffs !

GO RAMS !!!

by RamHard on Dec 8, 2010 6:49 AM CST reply actions

As much as I hate them

I guess it’s in our best interests if the 49ers win. Hopefully this’ll be a very rare occasion.

I'm not trolling, just being sarcastic.

by hr on Dec 8, 2010 6:59 AM CST reply actions

With the Saints and KC in the next two weeks

I too will be rooting for the despicable Niner team of whom I really, really, really dislike.

The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!

by DevsLaRams on Dec 8, 2010 9:10 AM CST up reply actions

But just think, if the Niners win out, they'll likely win the division and ...

… screw themselves out of fixing their team … so it is win/win for us. If we win the division, great! If the Niners win, HA!!

I can take a beating ... I'm a Rams fan.

by Midasknight on Dec 8, 2010 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

i am hoping for a seachicken and 49ers tie

rams are going to make the playoffs. we can beat kc the 49ers and the seachickens. we are going to make this a game on sunday and if we lose this one by blowout then we are not ready this year for playoffs. sam will have to do it next year

by RAISEtheDEAD on Dec 8, 2010 7:35 AM CST reply actions

In my experience

hoping has very little effect on the outcome of games:)

The Personal Finance Playbook.

by Toddius on Dec 8, 2010 8:48 AM CST reply actions

Definitely comes down to the division games.

I’d love to put the Saints away away, though, particularly after the Rams gave them all they could handle last year with a far worse team. Obviously, I know that the situations are different, but I wouldn’t rule out an upset.

Should be a great one.

by Abrantes on Dec 8, 2010 9:53 AM CST reply actions

an upset for us could put a lock on the Division Title )

The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!

by DevsLaRams on Dec 8, 2010 10:33 AM CST up reply actions

we always have a shot with number great under center

We almost beat em last year and were vastly improved all over the place and i think the saints have gotten worse. Once again we stop the run we got a better than good chance to win. Last couple weeks where we’ve gotten down early i say here we go again. But now i have full confidence in this team and have rid myself of memories of year before. Go rams!

by markg1127 on Dec 8, 2010 10:43 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Should be a good game.

New Orleans has 5 wins by less than a TD, to bad teams: Vikings, 49ers, Carolina, Dallas, and the Bengals. They also lost to Arizona and Cleveland.

Not saying we should win this, but I’ll be very disappointed if were not at least in it with a chance to win in the fourth quarter.

by Scato on Dec 8, 2010 11:06 AM CST reply actions

Rams should just win to shut up the critics about the NFC West Division

Screw Brett Favre!

Now, that feels much better because he has gotten way to much coverage and ain’t it odd his life is spiraling down the drain, yet the NFC West is more criticized.

by jlcdb70 on Dec 8, 2010 11:14 AM CST reply actions

+1

by CFB_fan on Dec 8, 2010 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

My worst nightmare

Would be if the Rams and Seahawks both go 7-9 and we lose the playoff spot because of our division records.

by Sam Godford on Dec 8, 2010 11:20 AM CST reply actions

as far as one could tell

the final game against the semenHAWKS should be the deciding factor

The only thing comparable to a Rams win is a 49er loss!

by DevsLaRams on Dec 8, 2010 11:25 AM CST up reply actions

+1 on the screw farve

by markg1127 on Dec 8, 2010 11:45 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Here is the good news...

Regardless of what happens this weekend, the Rams will still control their own destiny.

Worst case Rams lose to go to 6-7, Seattle wins to go to 7-6. Rams win next 3 games (KC, SF & @ SEA). Rams finish 9-7. Even if Seatlle beats ATL & @TB they still end up 9-7 and tied with Rams (means we swept the Hawks). Rams to “Playoffs”, and host NO (most likely).

Now I would prefer a 6 game win streak to end the regular season, but I am just pointing out that this weekend has zero impact if the Rams win the following 3 games. so those of you “wanting” a 9er win and “hating to say it”, rest assured, we should not care.

PS-and do not give “the what ifs” in regards to Rams not winning those last 3. I would prefer going to the playoffs on an up note than hoping/needing other teams getting us in the playoffs-JMHO.

by RBramfan on Dec 8, 2010 1:33 PM CST reply actions

Here is how it is

If we win, and Seahawks lose, we will win the division. I still do not agree with the Alex Smith decision and I think it is just throwing in the towel, but I am not sure. Hopefully Alex can find his recievers like Troy was doing so well but for some reason, not well enough.

What Would Joey Votto Do?

by OGC Reds on Dec 8, 2010 2:39 PM CST reply actions

Troy Smith was quite terrible, but very lucky at first.

Then he stopped being lucky.

The Alex Smith decision makes sense to me. He’ll either take them to the playoffs or be gone next year. This way the 9ers can feel like they have fully explored the Alex Smith possibilities.

Remember, Alex Smith was actually playing decently when he got hurt and Troy Smith got the job. He wasn’t replaced for incompetence.

Also, Seattle will totally lose in SF. I don’t think it will even be close.

After this weekend I predict the Rams and Seahawks will still be tied for first at 6-7 and the 9ers will be one game back.

Flame away.

I can take a beating ... I'm a Rams fan.

by Midasknight on Dec 8, 2010 5:38 PM CST up reply actions