After selling out to win a Super Bowl in 2021, many assumed that the Rams would enter a rebuilding period. They've done anything but rebuild, making the playoffs in 2023 and placing themselves in the heat of the playoff hunt this season.
Simply making the playoffs isn't the only accomplishment the Rams are looking to put on their resume this season; they entered Week 17 atop the NFC West with two games to play.
Los Angeles improved its outlook with a 13-9 win over a divisional foe, the Arizona Cardinals, improving to 10-6 this season.
Let's take a look at the Rams' path to the playoffs following their Week 17 victory over the Cardinals.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 17
Rams playoff picture
After starting the season 1-4, the Rams' playoff hopes looked bleak. There were even reports that the Rams were shopping around Cooper Kupp, a sign that they were going to give up on the season and look to the future.
The turnaround in the last two months has been almost miraculous. Matthew Stafford & Co. have rattled off nine wins in their past 11 games, highlighted by victories over the Vikings, Bills and 49ers. Now adding a win over the Cardinals, the streak has left the Rams with a one-game lead over the Seahawks in the NFC West.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Lions | 14-2 |
| 2 | Eagles | 13-3 |
| 3 | Rams | 10-6 |
| 4 | Buccaneers | 9-7 |
| 5 | Vikings | 14-2 |
| 6 | Commanders | 11-5 |
| 7 | Packers | 11-5 |
| 8 | Seahawks | 9-7 |
| 9 | Falcons | 8-8 |
The Rams clinched the NFC West on Sunday night. The Commanders' victory over Atlanta secured the strength of victory tiebreaker for L.A., ensuring the Seahawks cannot catch up.
Los Angeles is headed to the playoffs as either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the NFC. A win or Buccaneers loss would make the Rams the No. 3 seed, while a loss and a Buccaneers win would send L.A. to the No. 4 slot.
MORE NFL WEEK 17:
- Week 17 NFL Power Rankings
- Week 17 NFL picks straight-up
- Week 17 NFL picks against the spread
- Week 17 NFL playoff picture
Rams remaining 2024 schedule
The Rams will host the Seahawks in Week 18, but that game is now meaningless beyond seeding implications.
| Date | Matchup | Opponent's current record | Time (ET) |
| 1/5 | vs. Seattle | 9-7 | 4:25 p.m. |
NFL DRAFT NEWS:
Rams' updated playoff chances
Before the dust settled in Week 17, ESPN's power index put Los Angeles's odds of making the playoffs at 100%. That became official on Sunday night when they clinched the NFC West.
