Week 10 was not a great week for the Los Angeles Rams. Despite regaining two starting offensive linemen, the team gave up four sacks and five tackles for loss in their defeat to the Miami Dolphins. After losing a game where most Rams fans and media members expected a win, head coach Sean McVay’s path to the playoffs just got murkier. The Rams are now 4-5 and third in the NFC West.
Monday’s game also raised some concerns. The offensive line struggled after some solid weeks after the bye. Also, quarterback Matthew Stafford’s interception problems continued; he has now thrown an interception in six straight games.
Despite the loss, there’s still hope for a Rams postseason berth.
The Rams’ Path to the Playoffs
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, some dominos must fall in a favorable direction. Their chances of winning the division are slim, but a Wild Card slot is still on the cards. The team is in the Wild Card bubble on the outside looking in. The three Wild Card teams are the Minnesota Vikings (7-2), the Washington Commanders (7-3), and the Green Bay Packers (6-3). At least one of these teams will need to slide down the rankings for the Rams to get a playoff chance.
Of the teams currently in, the Packers have the most difficult schedule and the most inconsistent team. Coupled with injuries to quarterback Jordan Love and cornerback Jaire Alexander, the Pack’s playoff position is under threat.
There is only one team outside of the playoffs still ahead of the Rams, the 5-4 San Francisco 49ers. Like the Rams, the 49ers have been inconsistent this season. However, with superstar running back Christian McCaffrey back in the lineup, their offense should see more production going forward.
San Francisco still needs to face the Packers, the Buffalo Bills, and the Detroit Lions down the stretch. They will also play the Rams in Week 15, which may prove crucial to the playoff picture.
Besides the game against the 49ers, the Rams’ most impactful games for playoffs are in the division. If they can run the table against the 49ers, Cardinals, and Seahawks, the NFC West division title could be theirs if the other clubs go on a dry spell. While no game in the NFL is safe, the team also has winnable matchups against the New Orleans Saints and the New York Jets further down the line.
It simply comes down to the fact that the Rams have some wrinkles that must be quickly ironed out to salvage the season.
Matthew Stafford’s Huge Problem
As mentioned in the introduction of the article, the Rams have a turnover problem. Stafford’s streak of six consecutive games with an interception this season is tied for the longest streak of his career.
Part of the problem last week can be traced to offensive line struggles and needing to bring back Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson, who missed most of the year. However, Stafford’s pick problem has gone on for over half the season. It ultimately comes down to his poorer decision-making and rushing into throws.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
