Are Rams fans watching a re-run of 2023? After starting 1-4 and seemingly losing hope of contending as injuries piled up, L.A. is suddenly above .500 and knocking on the door in the NFC West.
The Rams’ thrilling 44-42 win over the Bills in Week 14 provided a reminder of how high the team’s ceiling can be when both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are available for Matthew Stafford. The question now is whether the hole will be too deep for the team to dig out of even after six wins in their last eight games.
A win over the 49ers on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 15 could go a long way toward moving the needle.
Here’s a look at the Rams’ playoff outlook entering Thursday’s matchup and what they need to do to punch their ticket.
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Rams playoff picture
NFC West standings
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Seahawks | 8-5 |
| 2 | Rams | 7-6 |
| 3 | Cardinals | 6-7 |
| 4 | 49ers | 6-7 |
The Rams still trail the Seahawks by a game in the NFC West entering Week 15, but they control their own fate in the division. Why? L.A. still plays the Seahawks again and would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with a win.
It might not have to wait until Week 18, though. The Rams could actually finish up Week 15 as NFC West leaders with a win over the 49ers and a Seahawks loss to the Packers, since L.A. would at least temporarily holds the tiebreaker over Seattle.
The division is so close that the Rams wouldn’t be able to rest even in that scenario. The Cardinals would have the chance to pull back within a game of the NFC West lead in that scenario, and they are favored to beat the Patriots on Sunday.
The Rams would still be in a decent position with a loss as long as the Seahawks also lost on Sunday. A two-game Seattle lead, however, would put L.A. at serious risk of being eliminated before they can face off in Week 18.
NFC wild-card standings
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 5 | Vikings | 11-2 |
| 6 | Packers | 9-4 |
| 7 | Commanders | 8-5 |
| 8 | Rams | 7-6 |
| 9 | Falcons | 6-7 |
| 10 | Cardinals | 6-7 |
| 11 | 49ers | 6-7 |
| 12 | Saints | 5-8 |
| 13 | Cowboys | 5-8 |
| 14 | Bears | 4-9 |
| 15 | Panthers | 3-10 |
| 16 | Giants | 2-11 |
MORE: Updated NFL power rankings entering Week 15
Three teams will earn wild-card spots in the NFC, and the Rams only trail the Commanders by one game for the final spot.
Their best hope might be the NFC West, however. Because three of their final four games come against divisional opponents, a hot streak by the Rams would likely be enough to make them NFC West champions before they leap the Commanders in the wild-card race.
Because the Rams and Commanders don’t face each other this season, a head-to-head tiebreaker could come down to conference record. L.A. is only 4-5 against NFC opponents, while Washington is 5-3. Pulling even or ahead isn’t impossible, but it’s difficult — and, if it does happen, it likely means the Rams played well enough to simply win the NFC West.
Rams remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| 15 | Dec. 12 | at 49ers | 8:15 p.m. |
| 16 | Dec. 22 | at Jets | 1 p.m. |
| 17 | Dec. 29 | vs. Cardinals | 1 p.m. |
| 18 | Jan. 5 | vs. Seahawks | TBD |
Three of the Rams’ last four games come against NFC West opponents, so their divisional fate is in their hands.
After L.A.’s road matchup with the 49ers, Sean McVay’s squad travels across the country to face the flailing Jets before coming back to SoFi Stadium for games against the Cardinals and Seahawks. If they play their hand correctly, the Rams could be playing for the NFC West crown in Week 18.
Rams updated playoff chances
ESPN’s Football Power Index rates the Rams’ playoff chances at 35 percent entering Week 15, with a 32 percent chance of winning the NFC West.
