St. Louis Rams Cheering Guide To Week 16

Dec 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) trips up Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

While the St. Louis Rams may not be in the hunt for a spot in the Playoffs, it doesn’t mean they don’t still have something to play for in the final two games of the season. For one, they have an opportunity to finish with a .500 record for the first time in nearly a decade. Second, and more importantly to some, there are a number of Rams fighting to make a case for some of the post-regular season awards. Aaron Donald, in particular, is currently battling with the best-of-the-best of the interior defensive linemen in the NFL for a spot in the Pro Bowl or, potentially, the AP All-Pro squad, as well as making a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

However, the Rams are also still in a position to influence the Playoffs, and can even still benefit from other teams winning and losing on Sunday. With those in mind, here is our Week 16 cheering guide for the weekend.

Minnesota Vikings over Miami Dolphins

With one eye on the remaining two games and one eye on the 2015 NFL Draft, it would be foolish not to look at how the St. Louis Rams could benefit from other teams’ late season success. If the season ended today, the Vikings would be picking ahead of the Rams (i.e. equal record by easier schedule), and the Dolphins would be picking after, currently sporting  7-7 record on the season. However, with a Minnesota win, and a Rams loss, both teams would fall behind St. Louis in the order, taking St. Louis one step closer to the top of the Draft.

Atlanta Falcons over New Orleans Saints

The NFC South is a cluster of mediocrity this season, with the Saints currently leading the division with a 6-8 record. However, someone has to make the playoffs this season. Whichever teams takes the plunge will automatically drop to the bottom of the draft order, likely allowing the Rams to move a slot up. While it might not matter in the end, it would be in the Rams’ best interest for the team in the NFC South with the best record (i.e. the Saints) to get jumped by a team that is currently below the Rams in the draft order. The Falcons have the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone with a win on Sunday.

Arizona Cardinals over Seattle Seahawks

The last two games in the “cheering guide” will only benefit the Rams if they, themselves, were to lose on Sunday. Obviously, no fan wants to see that happen. However, Arizona over Seattle is something everyone can get behind, with the Cardinals having the opportunity to clinch the NFC West and, obviously, a playoff birth with a win over the Seahawks. In fact, it would set up the Rams nicely to play the “spoiler” role, giving St. Louis a chance to knock the reigning Super Bowl championship out of the playoffs in Week 17.

Houston Texans over Baltimore Ravens

Assuming the Rams win on Sunday, they will move into he next tier of teams in the battle for spots in the Draft. Right now, that group is comprised of four teams with 7-7 records, including the Houston Texans. Obviously, a win by the Texans keep them one game ahead of the Rams in the overall standings, and keeps the Rams one spot “higher” in the Draft order. Simple as that.

Cleveland Browns over Carolina Panthers

Copy and paste the previous paragraph, but insert [Cleveland Browns] for every [Houston Texans]. However, a Browns win does more than keep them ahead of the Rams in the standings, it cements one of the NFC South teams in their current spot. As previously stated, for the Rams to take advantage of the NFC South, they would need the current top team to drop, and another to jump up into the Playoff mix. Because of the schedule, St. Louis needs those two swapping teams to be Atlanta and New Orleans. Sorry, Cam Netwon.