Rams can size up potential playoff opponents on Thanksgiving

The 9-2 Los Angeles Rams are, for the moment, one of the best teams in the NFL. But like it or not, head coach Sean McVay, nobody remembers who held the best record in the NFL after 12 weeks. Nobody celebrates a wedding with good batter. It's the finished product that determines the success of the effort.

And while it's thrilling to view graphics that place the dynamic changes of the top NFL leaders (see below), it's a bit premature to celebrate. Not only does Los Angeles face a pesky Carolina Panthers team in Week 13, but the team must face other teams that remain in the hunt for postseason competition.

And so, the team practices today while multiple teams must square off on a short week, only to get the benefit of a mini-bye afterwards. Still, the team has the chance to size up future competition, learn their strengths and weaknesses, and be reminded once again that this season is not over. So, who is playing during the holidays?

Rams cam size up potential playoff opponents on Thanksgiving

7-3-1 Green Bay Packers vs 7-4 Detroit Lions

The NFC North Division rivalry will have plenty of impact on the overall playoff picture. The winner of this one takes a commanding lead of a wildcard berth and is ideally suited to benefit if the Chicago Bears stumble along the way.

This game pits nearly equally potent teams, and the bookmakers have given the nod to the Lions due to the presumed home-field advantage. LA plays the Detroit Lions in Week 15. So this is a great opportunity to size up the Lions for that contest.

6-5 Kansas City Chiefs vs 5-5-1 Dallas Cowboys

While this game may not appear to have a direct impact on Los Angeles, a miraculous comeback victory by the Cowboys dethroned the Philadelphia Eagles from their top-seed perch in the NFC. And since neither team holds much of a chance to the postseason, the loser will find itself in a deep hole.

Which team can tune out the noise and pressure and deliver in this pressure cooker? That's the big question. Two proud NFL organisations fighting for relevance make this one great entertainment.

3-8 Cincinnati Bengals vs 6-5 Baltimore Ravens

Fans may not appreciate the impact of this one, as it involves two AFC North Division teams. But last season, the tiebreaker that put the Horns into the playoffs, despite tying the Seattle Seahawks with identical 10-7 records, was strength of schedule and strength of victory. The Rams defeated the Ravens earlier this season, so any success enjoyed by the Ravens will buoy LA's chances via that tiebreaker.

Of all games, this one is perceived to be the weakest of the bunch. But never overlook division rivalries, as they are often the most entertaining.

8-3 Chicago Bears vs 8-3 Philadelphia Eagles

Here we go. The lone Friday game has an incredible impact, as it pits both NFC 8-3 teams in a headfirst collision. The winner remains in the hunt for the top seed, while the losing team falls into a tough spot as time runs out in the season. For the Eagles, they pivot to AFC teams. For the Bears, this is just the first of multiple games with NFC contenders.

Fans have a bias to cheer for the Bears, because the diminishes the influence of Los Angeles' loss to the Eagles earlier in the season. And the Bears, even emerging as the victors, have three division rivalry games that will almost certainly result in one or more losses.

The Los Angeles Rams have control of their own destiny. As long as the team continues to win, they will earn both the top-seed and a BYE in the Wild Card Round of the upcoming NFL Playoffs. But is it realistic to expect this team to end 2025 with just two losses? That seems overly optimistic.

And so, the NFL holiday games may not feature the Rams, but they still hold significant meaning for the team. As always, thanks for reading.