The Los Angeles Rams will play for the NFC West title next week, if they don’t clinch it this weekend in one of the most complicated ways possible.
The Rams moved within a heartbeat of the NFC West title on Saturday with a 13-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals, improving their record to 10-6 and keeping them a game ahead of the 9-7 Seattle Seahawks. It was L.A.’s fifth straight win.
The game came down to one final drive, in which the Cardinals had plenty of time to score a touchdown and take the lead. They got all the way to Los Angeles’ 5-yard line, when a Kyler Murray pass hit Trey McBride in the helmet.
Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon laid all the way out to catch the deflection and all but seal the game. The play was reviewed to see if Witherspoon came down with the ball and the ruling of an interception was upheld, though the Rams did need to do some pushing after they were given the ball at the 1-yard line.
The Seahawks play the Rams in Week 18. If Los Angeles wins, the division crown is their’s. If Seattle wins, well, let’s get into that.
Should the Seahawks beat the Rams in Week 18, both teams would be 10-7 and the division title would come down to tiebreakers. The first tiebreaker: head-to-head, where the teams would be even (the Rams beat the Seahawks in Week 9). Second tiebreaker: divisional record, where they would be even. Third tiebreaker: record against common opponents, even. Fourth tiebreaker: conference record, even.
Finally, there is the fifth tiebreaker, strength of victory. In that case, the Rams can seal their advantage this week provided that three of the following five teams provide at least two wins and a tie (all odds via BetMGM):
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Buffalo Bills (10-point favorite vs. New York Jets)
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Cleveland Browns (3.5-point underdog vs. Miami Dolphins)
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Minnesota Vikings (1-point favorite vs. Green Bay Packers)
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Washington Commanders (3.5-point favorites vs. Atlanta Falcons)
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San Francisco 49ers (3.5-point underdog vs. Detroit Lions)
The Cincinnati Bengals have already helped on that front with their dramatic overtime win over Denver earlier Saturday.
Rams took a big lead then held on just enough
It was a familiar script for the Rams this season, in which the offense struggled and the rest of the team did just enough to eke out a win to keep pace in the divisional race.
Neither team scored a point until midway through the second quarter, when the Rams rode a couple long passes to set up a one-yard Kyren Williams touchdown.
Overall, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was 17-of-32 for 189 yards and no touchdowns, interceptions or sacks taken. Cardinals passer Kyle Murray had the more adventurous day, going 33-of-48 with a touchdown, two interceptions and 32 rushing yards on four attempts.
That one touchdown was to tight end Trey McBride to open the third quarter. The score was a long time coming for McBride, who entered the game with 92 receptions on 120 targets and 958 receiving yards on the season, but as any of McBride’s fantasy managers can tell you, no touchdowns.
McBride’s teammates were elated that he finally found the end zone.
After being down 10-0 at halftime, the Cardinals scored that McBride touchdown and a field goal on their first two drives of the third quarter. They would only get two more drives the whole game, both ending with Murray interceptions.
