3 games that LA Rams fans should monitor closely on Sunday in Week 10

As the LA Rams prepare to host the Miami Dolphins on Monday NIght Football to complete the NFL's Week 10 scheduled games, fans may feel a bit lost over what to do on Sunday without a Rams game to cheer for. The LA Rams are 4-4 at the season's midpoint. While the team has won four of eight games, four losses have come at the hands of NFC teams, all of whom are in competition for one of the seven playoff spots for NFC teams.

Because the Rams play on Monday Night Football, we have only just gotten their final injury report. Signs point to the Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill competing, as well as Rams staring offensive linemen Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson. But they play on MNF. Which games matter to Rams fans now?

Several games,

And so, the Rams fans do have games to watch. NFL games whose outcome will either pave the way for an eventual playoff berth, or create mathematical roadblocks to the probability of the Rams competing in post-season play.

New England Patriots (2-7) at Chicago Bears (4-4)

The LA Rams lost to the Chicago Bears this season. The Rams also face the New England Patriots on the road in Week 11. So which team should Rams fans cheer for?

You could make an argument that a 2-8 Patriots team has nothing to play for, and may use the occasion to give younger players some snaps to see how they conduct themselves on the football field. Perhaps. But the Patriots are not about to roll over and play dead at Gillette Stadium under any circumstances. So any hope for an easier path in Week 11 is simply not going to happen.

On the other hand, the Chicago Bears loss in Week 10 could be the tip of the iceberg. They must then face their NFC North rivals in the next games. Conceivably, if the Bears lose to the Patriots, they could fall to 4-8. I'm all for it. Go Pats!

New York Jets (3-6) at Arizona Cardinals (5-4)

The New York Jets have not had much success this season, despite the healthy return of veteran QB Aaron Rodgers. Despite a record of 3-6, they hold second place in the AFC East Division, trailing the Buffalo Bills (7-2) by 4 gams. A win in Week 10 may not shrink that lead, but it does place the rest of the NFL on notice that the Jets are starting to find ways to win.

The NFC West Division leader Arizona Cardinals are on a bit of a winning streak, opening the season with a record of 2-5, only to win their next three game. They've done it with both offense and defense. But can they beat a determined Jets team?

The team to cheer for is obvious in this one. The Jets offer no playoff competition to the Rams in any scenario, while the Cardinals compete for the NFC West Division title as well as an NFC Playoff berth. You may not love Aaron Rodgers, but you should cheer for him this week.

J-E-T-S! Let's go Jets.

San Francisco 49ers (4-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

The San Francisco 49ers offense has struggled at times. But in Week 10, they welcome back RB Christian McCaffrey. If he is truly the keystone to their offense as 49ers fans believe, he will give them a huge boost this week. The thing is, they are on the road and facing a competitive Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that cannot afford a Week 10 loss.

The Buccaneers are trying to hard-halt a three-game losing streak, a streak that has dropped them to second place in the NFC South Division. And so, the question is: Which team should Rams fans cheer for? If the 49ers win, the Rams must win in Week 10 to keep pace. But if the Buccaneers win, the Rams have one more team in the hunt for a Wild Card slot in the NFC Playoffs.

In the end, it's the 49ers. I can't recommend ever cheering for them. So, in Week 10, it's Go Bucs.

As always, thanks for reading.

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