LA Rams win looms even larger in the aftermath of Week 16 final scores

When the LA Rams (8-6) entered Week 16, the team held a tiebreaker lead over the Seattle Seahawks (8-6). But the Arizona Cardinals (7-7) and San Francisco 49ers (6-8) remained in the hunt for winning the NFC West Division title. Of course, the key phrasing is 'when they entered.' You see, the NFC West Division would experience a bit of upheaval this week

There is a reason why winning late in the season is favored over winning early in the season. Late-season victories add to the win column and shrink the magic number needed for a seed in the upcoming NFL Playoffs. For the Rams, everything that could benefit the team in terms of winning the NFC West Division title happened.

Just to recap: The LA Rams (9-6) moved into sole possession of first-place in the NFC West Division, if only temporarily. Two NFC West Division teams, the San Francisco 49ers (6-9) and the Arizona Cardinals (7-8), have been eliminated from the 2025 NFL Playoffs. And the Seattle Seahawks (8-7) are clinging to the faintest hopes of postseason play.

San Francisco 49ers (eliminated)

The San Francisco 49ers find themselves spiraling out of control now. At one point, the team ws 5-4 and had defeated the NFC South Division leader, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the team has now lost five of its last six games, the most recent coming on the road at the hands of the Miami Dolphins (7-8).

The 49ers offense, routed through a strong rushing attack, has flailed since losing RB Christian McCaffrey to injury. Still the 10th-ranked rushing offense at 130.0 yards per game, the 49ers could only muster 81 rushing yards against a stingy Dolphins defense. The loss not only eliminates the 49ers, but guarantees that they will end 2024 with a losing record. Keep in mind that many pre-season forecasts had the 49ers winning the NFC Championship game and representing the NFC in Super Bowl LIX.

There may be no light at the end of the tunnel for 49ers fans just yet, as the team finishes out the season by hosting the Detroit Lions (13-2) in Week 17, and then traveling to take on the Arizona Cardinals (7-8) in Week 18 to finish out the season.