The rams made the playoffs five times as a coach Sean McVay‘s first seven seasons, qualifying three times by winning the NFC West and twice by finishing second.
With six games remaining, including division matchups against the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, the Rams are in playoff contention thanks in part to a division lacking a dominant team.
The rams 37-20 defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday dropped their record to 5-6. But the division title — and a guaranteed home playoff game — is up for grabs as the Seahawks and Cardinals are 6-5 and the 49ers are 5-6.
“It’s still wide open.” security Kamren Curl said this week. “We’re always on top of each other.”
The Rams face the Saints on Sunday in New Orleans. They finish with a home game against the Buffalo Bills, road games against the 49ers and New York Jets and home games against the Cardinals and Seahawks.
The Rams are 2-1 in the division. They defeated the 49ers and Seahawks, but were routed by the Cardinals.
Learn more: Rams’ Demarcus Robinson arrested on suspicion of drunk driving
“We’re playing everyone again,” Curl said. “So I feel like when it comes to the division race, we still have our destiny in our hands. We just have to win games.
McVay said Tuesday the Rams won’t look to the future and can’t worry about how other division teams will perform.
“We can’t stand by and watch other people,” he said, “because if we don’t manage what we’re supposed to manage, none of it matters. …I look forward to learning more about ourselves throughout this time.
McVay has some personnel decisions to make as the Rams prepare for the Saints.
Catcher Demarcus Robinson was arrested on Monday suspected of driving under the influence. McVay said Tuesday that he was gathering information about the incident but had not made a decision on Robinson’s status.
Offensive lineman Rob Havenstein, who was out three games with an ankle injury, is “tending” to return against the Saints, McVay said. Tight end Tyler Higbee will begin practicing this week, but he is not expected to be ready for Sunday.
Here’s a look at the other NFC West teams:
Arizona Cardinals
Save: 6-5
In NFC West: 2-1 (beat 49ers and Rams, lost to Seahawks)
Remaining games: @Minnesota, Seattle, New England, @Carolina, @Rams, 49ers
The Cardinals beat the Rams 41-10 in week two. But the Cardinals, consistent with their history, never established themselves as an uncontrollable threat for the division title.
They were 2-4 before winning four games in a row. Last Sunday, they lost to the Seahawks 16-6.
Quarterback Kyler Murray last led the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021. Then the Cardinals barely showed up for a wild card loss to the Rams.
San Francisco 49ers
Save: 5-6
In NFC West: 1-3 (beat Seahawks, lost to Rams, Cardinals and Seahawks)
Remaining games: @Buffalo, Chicago, Rams, @Miami, Detroit, @Cardinals
With so many well-paid stars, this appears to be the last dance for a team desperate to finally win a Super Bowl under coach Kyle Shanahan.
The 49ers have dealt with injuries, including running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle, receiver Deebo Samuel and defensive end Nick Bosa.
Quarterback Brock Purdy did not play in last Sunday’s 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers due to a shoulder injury. He reportedly threw some light throws on Monday and could play Sunday against the Bills.
Seattle Seahawks
Save: 6-5
In NFC West: 2-2 (beat 49ers and Cardinals, lost to Rams and 49ers)
Remaining games: @New York Jets, @Arizona, Green Bay, Minnesota, @Chicago, @Rams
First-year coach Mike Macdonald’s team is atop the division after last Sunday’s win over the Cardinals, a win that came a week after beating the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
The Seahawks don’t score a lot of points, but with former Rams linebacker Ernest Jones IV leading the way, they’ve given up just 17 points to the 49ers and six to the Cardinals.
Quarterback Geno Smith, running back Kenneth Walker III and receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be a problem for opponents if they get hot.
This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
