Our Seahawks are sitting pretty at 4-3 after absolutely laying out the Chiefs 20-3, but don’t look now, because the Rams, currently a game behind us at 3-4, are in a serious make-or-break stretch that could totally shift the NFC playoff picture. L.A. might have nabbed a 35-21 win over the Raiders this week, looking a bit better than their previous loss to the Cardinals, but one victory against a squad on a four-game losing streak hardly proves Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford are back in full force.
A Win That Doesn’t Prove Anything
The real test is coming, and it’s coming fast. The Rams are staring down a three-game stretch where their next three opponents have a combined record of 3-15-1. We’re talking about the 0-6 Chargers, the 1-4-1 Commanders, and the 2-5 Cardinals. If the Rams want any shot at a strong playoff push after their bye week, they absolutely have to sweep these teams. This is non-negotiable for them. If L.A. drops a game to either the Chargers or Commanders before the November 10 trade deadline, then Rams GM Les Snead has to seriously think about whether his roster is better served blowing it all up for 2027 draft picks instead of trying to sneak into the playoffs as a Wild Card. Let’s be real, their schedule gets way harder after November. If they can’t beat the Chargers and Commanders, who *can* they beat?
The NFC Picture: The 12s Are Watching
Here’s where it gets interesting for us here in the Emerald City. The Rams are 3-4 and only one game behind the 4-3 Packers for that final NFC playoff spot. But L.A. is also behind our own 4-3 Seahawks, who crushed the Chiefs, and the 4-3 Atlanta Falcons, who took down the 49ers. So for the Rams, it’s not just about catching one team; it’s about leapfrogging a few. Of course, the Rams get their direct shots at our Seahawks in Week 16 and Week 18, but both teams actually have to still be in the playoff hunt for those games at Lumen Field to mean something, which is a big “if” for the Rams right now. If the Rams can’t even beat the 0-6 Chargers this week, what business do they have even thinking about Super Bowl contention? It’s not just falling to 3-5 that would hurt them; it’s the fact that they’ve already lost to a team like Arizona. Even their win against the Raiders showed their defense still needs a ton of work, especially since those three Raider wins came against teams with a combined 3-16 record.
Chargers Showdown: Make Or Break Moment
The last thing McVay needs on his record is being the first team to lose to the Chargers this season, especially at a stadium where the Chargers pay a symbolic dollar in rent to play. The other L.A. team is absolutely desperate for a win, and they’ll pull out all the stops to upset the Rams. Plus, the Chargers are coming off their bye week, which means extra time to prepare and rest for what is essentially their “Super Bowl” of 2026. Both these teams are starving for a win, but the Rams cannot afford a loss to the Chargers. If they fall to 3-5 by losing to a winless team, then it’s rational to wonder if they can go 8-1 or 9-0 the rest of the way to even finish with a respectable record. If they drop this one, they should seriously consider putting all their stars,Stafford, Puka Nacua, even Garrett himself,on the trade block and hoping to recoup that first-round pick they gave up for Myles Garrett, and then some. This next game is *everything* for their season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply