The Los Angeles Rams may have lost to the Seattle Seahawks, but they have not yet lost out on the top seed in the NFC.
The Los Angeles Rams lost to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, but the team remains at 11-4. They were also the first team to secure a playoff berth in the NFC.
Considering the Rams have two games left, as do the top teams in the NFC, here is a look at where Los Angeles sits in the grand scheme of things.
The easiest path to the top seed in the NFC is to win the final two games against the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. Both are very winnable for the Rams, but even winning out does not guarantee the top seed.
The Athletic broke down the percentages of the seeds in which playoff teams can land with wins and losses. Per the Rams, winning out has a low chance.
Per the simulator, the Rams winning both of their final games means they will have a 28 percent chance at the top seed. The reason for that is the Seahawks' loss on Thursday.
Seattle can take the NFC top seed with wins against the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers. The issue is that those games will be tough.
Carolina is chasing a division title win and a playoff berth. The 49ers are trying to guarantee their own playoff destiny.
If the Seahawks split their games and go 1-1, they have a 28 percent chance at the top seed. Seattle would be 13-4 with a 1-1 record. The Rams would also be 13-4, but would lose the top seed due to tiebreakers with the Seahawks.
The 49ers can also win all their final games and be awarded the top seed by virtue of tiebreakers in their final game against the Seahawks.
Chicago is also in play, as the Bears could finish their season 13-4 with wins in their final two games.
Essentially whoever gets 13 wins is in play for the top seed in the NFC.
The Rams need to win out and hope that the Seahawks, Bears, and 49ers have an epic meltdown to end their seasons. They need a lot of help, but crazier things have happened.
Los Angeles is unlikely to win that top seed, which is all due to the loss to the Seahawks. Regardless, the Rams are in the playoffs.
Who they play will be determined in the coming weeks. The good news is that if the Rams have no shot at securing that top seed, Sean McVay will likely rest starters for the final week, which is oftentimes more important.