NFL playoff picture is already getting complicated for the Rams

At 2-3, the Los Angeles Rams are not exactly in an enviable position. They just lost to the Buffalo Bills in another seemingly must-win game. And despite preseason bravado, LA's hopes of remaining in early playoff conversations are evaporating faster than Lake Mead.

Conversely, three NFC North teams are knotted up at 3-2, dropping both the Seattle Seahawks and Rams out of the postseason in the current playoff picture. The Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers all trail the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings by two games.

There have been unusual circumstances leading to LA's early struggles. An outbreak of injuries has sidelined multiple stars in the early going.

The NFL packed the Rams' schedule with an overwhelming number of playoff contenders. Then they forced them to travel across the globe, piling up as many travel miles in the first five games as many teams see in a full 17-game season.

By the numbers, the Rams have gotten the league's worst special teams performance. LA has already released kicker Harrison Mevis, replacing him with Jets practice squader Blake Grupe.

Will that be enough? Fans remain skeptical.

Rams still face an uphill climb despite easier upcoming schedule

LA just toughed out a brutal five-game stretch against what may very well end up being five playoff teams. But the team gets a chance to heal up and stitch together a winning streak over the next five games. Here's a look at the upcoming schedule:

• Week 6 - Sunday, October 18 | Arizona Cardinals (1-4) at Los Angeles Rams (2-3)
• Week 7 - Sunday, October 25| Los Angeles Rams (2-3) at Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
• Week 8 - Sunday, November 11 | Los Angeles Chargers (0-5) at Los Angeles Rams (2-3)
• Week 9 - Sunday, November 8 | Los Angeles Rams (2-3) at Washington Commanders (1-3-1)
• Week 10 - Sunday, November 15 | Los Angeles Rams (2-3) at Arizona Cardinals (1-4)
• Week 11 - BYE

That's quite a reversal. LA's first five games pitted the Horns against teams with a combined record of 17-7-1. Over the next five, they face teams with a combined record of 6-18-1. On paper, Los Angeles has a real chance to turn the season around.

In fact, a five-game winning streak is certainly possible.

That would give the Rams a record of 7-3. While that's much better than 2-3, unfortunately it may not be enough. In many ways, the final six games on the schedule may determine the entire season. The Rams once again face a gauntlet of matchups against projected contenders, including two games against the Seahawks.

By that time, though, they could have many of their stars back on the field. Hopefully special teams will no longer be making headlines for its failures.

A crowded NFC North and an elite NFC West led by San Francisco and Seattle could put a playoff berth out of reach if the Rams don't turn it around soon.

After Week 7 against the Raiders, their next game against a team currently above .500 will be when they host Green Bay on Thanksgiving Eve, a weird Wednesday night prime-time contest. Unfortunately LA is merely 1-3 in prime-time this season. Let's hope they can fix that, too.

As always, thanks for reading.

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