The Los Angeles Rams have clinched the NFC West division title for the 2024 season and will host a playoff game on Wild Card Weekend. The Washington Commanders’ win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night was the final nail for the Rams, giving them the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks.
After beating the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night, L.A. had plenty to watch for on Sunday. They needed three of the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Commanders and San Francisco 49ers to win their Week 17 games in order to clinch the NFC West and not have to play against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 in a game that still had division implications.
The Bills defeated the New York Jets handily, the Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers and the Commanders beat the Falcons, meaning L.A. clinched the division without even having to root for the 49ers against the Detroit Lions on Monday night.
That means that the Rams will either be the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the NFC postseason bracket regardless of what their result against the Seahawks is in the final week of the regular season. But the Rams would likely prefer to be No. 3 as opposed to No. 4 given who their opponent would be.
If the Rams have the No. 3 seed, they will — in all likelihood — face the Commanders. The Commanders are a fun young team with Jayden Daniels at quarterback but would need to beat the New York Giants in Week 18 to clinch the No. 6 seed over the Green Bay Packers. If Washington loses and Green Bay beats the Bears then the Packers would jump into the sixth spot.
In order for the Rams to clinch the No. 3 seed, they have to beat or tie the Seahawks, or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to lose or tie to the New Orleans Saints.
If anything else happens, they become the No. 4 seed and face the loser of the Lions-Vikings No. 1 seed battle in Week 18. While the Rams have beaten the Vikings this season, it was a close game and one of only two losses for Minnesota.
How confident they feel about any of the NFC North opponents could dictate what the Rams do in terms of resting starters and getting a mini bye week before Wild Card Weekend. It will be interesting to see how head coach Sean McVay chooses to approach Week 18.
Rams-Seahawks given start time and date
The Rams will conclude their regular-season schedule with a Week 18 matchup against the Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT and will be televised on Fox.
