Win by Falcons over Saints means Rams can’t clinch playoff berth in Week 14

With the Atlanta Falcons defeating the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, the Los Angeles Rams will have to wait a little longer before potentially clinching a playoff berth in the NFC.

Even though the Los Angeles Rams weren’t playing on Thursday since their time will come on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, there was plenty of excitement surrounding the NFC South meeting between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Believe it or not, the Rams actually had a chance to clinch a playoff berth in Week 14 with a win against the Eagles along with some help from other teams in the NFC, but unfortunately it looks like none of that matters, at least for now.

One of the factors Los Angeles needed to work their way in Week 14 was a loss by Atlanta on Thursday night against New Orleans, and for the football fans that ended up watching the game, that obviously didn’t happen. Despite all of the big mistakes made by Matt Ryan and company, the Falcons still managed to hang on for the 20-17 victory to keep their NFC playoff hopes alive, although they still have a long way to go.

Still, the main factor for the Rams is they will have to wait at least one more week before having another opportunity to clinch a potential playoff berth, but that doesn’t mean Sunday’s game against the Eagles doesn’t have any meaning towards it. If anything, a win against Philadelphia would help Los Angeles continue making a push for a first-round bye in the NFC, which would be huge when looking at how the conference is shaping out to be.

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Even though the Rams have looked better playing on the road at times this season, it’s no secret how much of an advantage it is to be playing in front of home fans come January with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Just like Los Angeles, Philadelphia is in the same position where every win moving forward is important when it comes to battling for a first-round bye in the NFC, but also nothing is set in stone for either team at the moment. In other words, winning on Sunday should be considered just as important for the Rams, even with clinching a playoff berth already being ruled out thanks to the Falcons.