How can the Rams clinch a playoff spot? Updated scenarios and chances for Los Angeles after 13-9 win vs. Cardinals

The Rams are nearly back in the playoffs after their 13-9 win over the Cardinals but they are not in yet. The reason for that is simple. They have a 10-6 record after Week 17 and the Seahawks, after their 6-3 win over the Bears, are one game behind at 9-7. The two teams face each other in Week 18 and if Seattle defeats Los Angeles, they will both finish with a 10-6 record.

Had the Rams not defeated the Seahawks earlier in the season (26-20 in overtime), a Seattle victory next week would have given them the division as they would have had the better head-to-head record. That tiebreaker is, therefore, obsolete at the point if we imagine Los Angeles loses next week.

However, if Sean McVay's team indeed falters in their final game, other tiebreakers would also become moot. After head-to-head record, divisional and conference win-loss ratios are the next tiebreakers.

The Seahawks currently have a 3-2-0 record in the division. The Rams are one better at 4-1-0. Seattle has a conference record of 5-6-0. Los Angeles is again one ahead at 6-5-0. Therefore, if Geno Smith can lead his team to victory next week, all those tiebreakers will read the same.

Rams' playoff chances after defeating Cardinals 13-9

Therefore, we must now look at the strength of victory as a tiebreaker. It means that of all the teams that they have played and won against, whose opposition has the most cumulative wins this season. The below table helps visualize this.

Rams Teams Defeated	Current Wins	Current Losses	Seahawks Teams Defeated	Current Wins	Current Losses
49ers	6	9	Broncos	9	7
Raiders	3	12	Patriots	3	13
Vikings	13	2	Dolphins	7	8
Seahawks	9	7	Falcons	8	7
Patriots	3	13	49ers	6	9
Saints	5	10	Cardinals	7	9
Bills	12	3	Jets	4	11
49ers	6	9	Cardinals	7	9
Jets	4	11	Bears	4	12
Cardinals	7	9	Rams	10	7
Sum	68	85		65	92

The above matrix assumes that the Seahawks defeat the Rams in Week 18. The teams in bold are those that have already played their Week 17 game when the Los Angeles - Arizona match finished.

Currently, Seattle is behind in the calculation. For them to stay behind, the teams that have yet to play will need to lose their matches. Thus, if the Falcons, Dolphins, or Jets lose, the Seahawks' strength of victory is compromised.

Atlanta plays away to the Washington Commanders, Miami faces the Browns in Cleveland, and New York needs to travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills. If those three clashes see the home team winning in each case, it will help the Los Angeles' case. Similarly, they have defeated the 49ers twice and Seattle has done so only once. Therefore, if San Francisco wins against the Lions, it will count as double points for the Rams.

The Saints play the Raiders, therefore, any win cancels the other out for Los Angeles, who have defeated them both. A Vikings win helps the Rams too because their strength of victory increases over the Seahawks since Los Angeles defeated Minnesota and Seattle lost to them.

Hence, the equation is as follows. Los Angeles has defeated Arizona today and now they need to wait for the other Week 17 matchups to play out. If any three of these fall their way based on permutations of win-loss record, the Rams will be through at the Seahawks' expense with the final week becoming a dead rubber.

• Bills defeat Jets
• Browns defeat Dolphins
• Commanders defeat Falcons
• 49ers defeat Lions
• Vikings defeat Packers

Since three victories are eminently possible here, the Rams have a high chance of making it to the postseason.

Los Angeles Rams' playoff scenario amid 10-6 record

There is a good chance Los Angeles will play beyond the regular season. In fact, Sportskeeda's Playoff Predictor also shows something similar. Amidst multiple iterations, they always end up in the playoffs.

Sportskeeda Playoff Predictor Scenario

In the above scenario, they keep hold of the third seed by defeating the Seahawks in the final game. That clinches their place above the Falcons, who win the NFC South with a 10-7 record. The Rams cannot win the NFC or finish second as the Lions, Vikings, and Eagles are all at least two games ahead of them with one week to play.