NFC Playoff field wide open IF LA Rams win Week 15

Winning the top-seed in the NFC

While it’s only a remote possibility, the LA Rams have a small chance of earning the top-seed in the NFC. But there are a few teams standing in the way right now. They are the: Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The only team who loses a tie-breaker with the LA Rams right now is the Bucs.

Right now, the Green Bay Packers are at 11-3.
The Dallas Cowboys, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at 10-4. For all intents and purposes, the LA Rams need to finish at 13-4 to have a realistic chance to earn the top seed. For that to happen, the following events must take place:

I: The LA Rams must win their remaining four games to finish 13-4
II: The Green Bay Packers must lose TWO of their remaining three games to finish 12-5

Green Bay Packers Schedule (11-4)

Week 15: @ Baltimore (8-5) Won 31-30
Week 16: vs. Cleveland (7-6)
Week 17: vs. Minnesota (6-7)
Week 18: @ Detroit (2-11-1)

III: The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals must each lose one of their remaining three games to finish 12-5

Arizona Cardinals Schedule (10-4)

Week 15: @ Detroit (1-11-1) Lost 30-12
Week 16: vs Indianapolis (8-6)
Week 17: @ Dallas (10-4)
Week 18: vs. Seattle (5-8)

Dallas Cowboys Schedule (10-4)

Week 15: @ NY Giants (4-9) Won 21-6
Week 16: vs Washington (6-7)
Week 17: vs Arizona (10-4)
Week 18: @ Philadelphia (6-7)

For what it’s worth, the fact that the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys clash in Week 17 will trigger a loss to one or the other, helping the LA Rams immensely. That is, as long as the Rams continue to win games, that is.

Since the Rams win tie-breakers against the Buccaneers, as long as the Rams win out they will not need to cheer for any opponents of the Buccaneers along the way.