The Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl defense fell apart in historic fashion, as they have already clinched the worst record after a championship in NFL history. At 4-10 with three games remaining, there remains very little for the Rams to play for.
However, running back Cam Akers — one of the last remaining healthy Week 1 starters who has had his own ups-and-downs this season — is still seeking motivation. The Rams’ final three games are against the Denver Broncos, L.A. Chargers and Seattle Seahawks, the latter two of which are firmly in the playoff hunt.
The Chargers (8-6) hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC and have a one-game advantage for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Seahawks (7-7) sit just half a game behind the Washington Commanders for the No. 7 seed, but also have the Detroit Lions to contend with.
So for Akers, the motivation for the final three games comes from the ability to stop the Chargers or Seahawks from getting into the playoffs, according to Gilbert Manzano of the L.A. Daily News:
“We can (urinate) in other people’s coffee or cornflakes,” Akers said after the loss to the Packers. “So if we can, we’re gonna do that. We’re gonna play the last three games like it’s the championship.”
The Chargers and Seahawks desperately need to win 2-3 of their final three games, and both likely look at the Rams as the most winnable game remaining on their schedules. The Chargers play in Indianapolis against the Colts, at home against the Rams, then on the road against the Denver Broncos. A home game against an already-eliminated opponent is a must-win given the situation for the Chargers.
The Seahawks end their season against the Rams after playing at the Kansas City Chiefs and at home against the New York Jets. With both of those teams fighting their own playoff battles, the Seahawks are unlikely to get an easy day out the rest of the way. If they lose one or both of their next two, it’s possible they could be out of the playoff race entirely by Week 18.
The final weeks of the NFL regular season always carry an immense amount of intrigue. But for the Rams — who have long been eliminated — playing spoiler is the last bit of motivation players can take. Akers has made it clear that he’ll be looking to do just that.
Bobby Wagner looking forward to facing Russell Wilson
On the defensive side, Bobby Wagner is getting his motivation from the quarterback he’ll potentially be chasing on Christmas Day. Russell Wilson may be in line to start against the Rams — pending injury status — and his former teammate, Wagner, is looking forward to it.
