Playoff projections reveal Rams' most likely first-round opponent

Who will the Los Angeles Rams face in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs? Well, there are two more games to play, and many of those games will have a huge impact on sorting out the seeding of NFL teams, particularly if those teams have already locked up a playoff berth.

As of right now, the worst the Rams can do is finish with an 11-6 record. The best that the Green Bay Packers can do is finish with a record of 11-5-1. So, unless Los Angeles loses two games and the Packers win their final two games, LA is almost certainly no worse than a sixth seed. That places the team on a collision course with the third-seeded Philadelphia Eagles.

Fans should love that matchup

While traveling is not an ideal scenario for post-season success, Los Angeles is quite familiar with the Eagles. There is nothing more motivating than a playoff loss to a team the prior year to incentivize the roster to win. And this Rams roster is arguably significantly better in 2025.

After all, running back Saquon Barkley was the margin of victory last year. He won't be this year.

Rams can get another shot at the Bird Gauntlet

When LA lost to the Eagles in Week 3, the team lost the chance to beat the Bird Gauntlet. That is, one NFL team that can defeat the Bird-themed NFL teams that are:

• Philadelphia Eagles
• Arizona Cardinals
• Atlanta Falcons
• Baltimore Ravens
• Seattle Seahawks

While Los Angeles must face the 6-9 Atlanta Falcons on the road this week, that early loss to the Eagles has stopped the chance of beating the Bird Gauntlet right out of the gate. But if the Horns win in a postseason rematch, and if they defeat the Falcons this week, it will be the first time in NFL history that a team has beaten all five teams.

But beyond the historic significance, LA restocked the roster specifically to overcome teams like the Eagles. The team signed free agent nose tackle Poona Ford and inside linebacker Nate Landman to stuff elite running backs like Saquon Barkley. And to overcome red zone calamity, the team added touchdown-maker wide receiver Davante Adams.

This is not some boastful bravado. It's simply the way the season has played out. The Rams have a dominating offense and a competent defense. With the latest coaching changes, head coach Sean McVay hopes to get better effort out of special teams.

Nothing is easy in the playoffs, and a trip to Philadelphia is among the toughest possible scenarios facing LA. But the team has done this before. The difference being that this time, fans can expect a different outcome.

As always, thanks for reading.