Rams plummet but still enjoying plenty of positives after astonishing Week 16

The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams have plummeted to third place in the NFC West Division with just two games remaining on the schedule. First, let's discuss the bad news. Unless Los Angeles wins out, and the 12-3 Seattle Seahawks and 11-4 San Francisco 49ers lose some games, the Rams are firmly entrenched in the wildcard seeding of the upcoming NFL playoffs.

NFC West Division Standings

• Seattle Seahawks 12-3
• San Francisco 49ers 11-4
• Los Angeles Rams 11-4
• Arizona Cardinals 3-12

But wasn't the claim to have some reasons for the holiday spirit? Indeed, there are many reasons to remain festive for Los Angeles as the season winds down. While many NFL fans fret over finishing the season atop the standings, ponder this. When was the last top-rated NFC team a Super Bowl winner? That would have been the 2017 top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles.

The thing is, it's not where you finish in the postseason, but that you get to the postseason. And with the Rams assured of a playoff berth, the team has every option to sit banged-up starters in either of the final two games, or both, for that matter.

Few other playoff-bound team can boast that with two games remaining on the schedule.

Rams can enjoy the calm before the postseason storm.

Even as the LA Rams have plummeted to s sixth-seeding in the upcoming playoffs, not all is lost. In fact, if this standing holds, Los Angeles will inherit a third-place team's schedule next year. That fact alone places teams like the 4-11 Washington Commanders, 8-7 Detroit Lions, and 6-9 Atlanta Falcons on the schedule.

That's just one benefit.

The Rams can rest, get healthy, and disguise the best of their respective units playbooks until the postseason. The Seahawks cannot, as they are now desperately clinging to the number one seed in the NFC. The 49ers cannot, as they are relentlessly pursuing the Seahawks for that top seed and the precious wild-card BYE.

Only two teams in the NFC playoffs have not lost to LA: The 8-7 Carolina Panthers and the 10-5 Philadelphia Eagles. But if a rematch were to happen, I love the Horns' chances. And that may be the outcome. In theory, LA's coaching staff has the next three weeks to take notes and plot strategy.

While the 10-5 Eagles are in, they remain in hot pursuit of a better seeding. And they must face the 11-4 Buffalo Bills and the 4-7 Washington Commanders, a tough division rival.

Best of all, Los Angeles is once again playing with house money. Having beaten the NFL's best, the headlines have passed them by. That's when this team is at its most dangerous.

Still struggling with a feel-good feeling? How about this? The Rams have been one of the best teams in the NFL hands down. This has been a team that has played through injuries, horrible special teams, turnovers, traveling, and even a brutal short week of getting two teams fighting for their own playoff berths. And this team is 11-4 with two games to go.

Special teams fixes are in place. A robust rookie class awaits.

It's Christmas Week, and there are plenty of presents under LA's tree. Grab your popcorn, because the best is yet to come.

As always, thanks for reading.