In a surprising twist of fate, the Los Angeles Rams found themselves crowned as NFC West champions in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season without even taking a single snap. The unusual clinching scenario played out thanks to the Rams entering the weekend needing a very specific set of results to go their way in order to lock up the division title through the strength-of-victory tiebreaker over their rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.
While the Rams did their part by defeating the Arizona Cardinals 13-9 on Saturday, their championship aspirations then hung in the balance as they nervously watched the scoreboard on Sunday. The complex tiebreaker formula required the Rams to root for victories by the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Remarkably, the football gods smiled upon the Rams as one by one, each of those teams emerged victorious.
The most pivotal result came when the surging Cincinnati Bengals toppled the Denver Broncos, delivering the first key win out of the 3.5 victories the Rams needed from that group of teams. The rest of the pieces quickly fell into place as the Bills, Vikings and Commanders registered important wins of their own, mathematically eliminating the Seahawks from contention and handing the division crown to the Rams.
Rams Overcome Early Adversity to Claim NFC West Throne
The gravity of the Rams’ accomplishment in winning the NFC West cannot be overstated, especially considering the tumultuous path they navigated to reach this point. Los Angeles stumbled out of the gates to begin the season, losing four of their first five games and appearing destined for a rebuilding year. However, head coach Sean McVay rallied his troops, engineering a remarkable turnaround that saw the Rams win nine of their next 11 contests to storm back into playoff contention.
The Rams’ resurgence was spearheaded by the leadership and elite play of several key veterans:
- Quarterback Matthew Stafford rebounded from a sluggish start to recapture his Super Bowl form
- Wide receiver Cooper Kupp once again served as Stafford’s go-to target and one of the NFL’s most productive wideouts
- Defensive tackle Aaron Donald anchored a fierce Rams defense that repeatedly slammed the door on opponents down the stretch
Those standout performances, combined with the savvy coaching of McVay, propelled the Rams to an improbable worst-to-first turnaround within the division. By claiming the NFC West title, Los Angeles became the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons after starting the year with a record of three games under .500.
Week 18 Implications for Rams’ Playoff Seeding
Despite having the division locked up, the Rams still have plenty to play for in their regular-season finale against the Seahawks in Week 18. A victory over Seattle would improve the Rams’ record to 11-6 and secure the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs. Holding that spot could prove crucial by ensuring a home game in the opening round of the postseason.
When asked about the possibility of resting key starters in Week 18, McVay remained coy, not wanting to reveal his cards prematurely:
“We had to handle our business tonight for that to even be a possibility. So, it would mean a lot.”
Sean McVay on potentially resting starters in Week 18
The Rams do have a recent precedent for exercising caution with their stars. Just last season, Los Angeles strategically rested key players like Stafford, Kupp, and Donald in Week 18, even with playoff seeding still on the line. The calculated risk paid off, as the fresh Rams surged through the postseason en route to a Super Bowl championship.
A New Reign Begins in the NFC West
As the Rams bask in the glory of their NFC West crown, their focus now shifts to the ultimate prize of defending their Super Bowl title. With an ultra-competitive NFC playoff field awaiting them, the road back to the big game will be fraught with challenges. However, this battle-tested Rams squad has repeatedly proven their championship mettle and enters the postseason brimming with confidence.
From their high-octane offense led by Stafford and Kupp to their swarming defense anchored by Donald, the Rams possess the essential ingredients to mount a deep playoff run. If they can maintain the momentum that propelled them to an improbable division title, the Rams have an excellent chance of becoming the first repeat Super Bowl champions since the 2003-2004 New England Patriots.
The NFL playoffs are often defined by the hottest teams peaking at the perfect time. The Los Angeles Rams have unquestionably proven their ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest. As they embark on another postseason odyssey, the Rams are well-positioned to create a new dynasty in the NFC West and beyond.
