Time for the LA Rams to play their best with their backups

When the  LA Rams visit Glendale, Arizona to battle the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14’s matchup on Monday Night Football, it will be an opportunity for the Rams to make a serious run at beating the top seed in the NFC. In fact, it will be their last chance to do so.

As of today, the top seed in the NFC is unlikely for the Rams. Just like the Cardinals (10-2), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3), and the Green Bay Packers (9-3) currently boast better records. The Dallas Cowboys (8-4) also have to be mentioned, as they are the NFC East Division leader.

Even though the Rams (8-4) are currently two games behind the Cardinals (10-2), if the Rams win, they will keep their faint hopes alive for the coveted top-seed in the NFC. With the prize being a first-round bye and home-field advantage en route to the Super Bowl, the stakes are incredibly high. But even one win guarantees nothing. The Rams currently lose all tie-breakers to the Cardinals. So the LA Rams must somehow end this season with a better record than the Cardinals to win the NFC West.

LA Rams have an uphill climb

If the Rams win, they would be (9-4), one game back from the Cardinals (10-3), with four games left in the season. On the flip side, if the Rams lose, it will be the 4th loss in 5 games, with the Cardinals essentially clinching the division. The Rams were once viewed as Super Bowl contenders.  But if they fall to 8-5, will in all likelihood be underdogs to win even one playoff game.

Even though the dead cap implications are ending for the Rams (which is good news), there’s no denying that this team’s lack of draft capital is a disadvantage for the future. It’s no secret the Rams have traded future assets for current ones, and with that being said, if they are unable to fight for a division title, much less a top seed, it will be viewed by many as a failure for not only this year but last several years.

The bottom line is that now is the time to put up and play your best football. The Rams have been hit hard this week, sending five starters to their COVID-19 reserve list before game time. Those players are:
RB Darrell Henderson
CB Jalen Ramsey
CB Dont’e Deayon
TE Tyler Higbee
RT Rob Havenstein

The most frightening thing? The list could grow in number rapidly, folks. This game will be a litmus test for the Rams, let’s see if they’re ready.