Rams Stumble Into Wild Card After Back-to-Back Losses

Overview

• Back-to-back defeats to Seattle and Atlanta removed Los Angeles from contention for the NFC West crown and the No. 1 seed, setting up a road-heavy playoff path.
• The Rams currently project as the No. 6 seed with a likely trip to Chicago or Philadelphia; a win at Arizona paired with a 49ers loss would move them to No. 5.
• Recent collapses have defined the downturn, including a 19-point blown lead to the Eagles, a lost 16-point lead to the Seahawks, and a prime-time loss in Atlanta.
• Davante Adams’ absence has hampered the offense as Matthew Stafford’s interceptions have spiked, undermining his previously strong MVP candidacy.
• The defeat in Atlanta also hurt draft positioning tied to a prior trade with the Falcons, shifting an incoming pick from a potential No. 8 to roughly No. 12 with downside risk.