The Los Angeles Rams are resting QB Matthew Stafford for Week 18, which could have a big impact on their NFC playoff seeding and the Detroit Lions.
According to NFL Network, The Los Angeles Rams have decided to sideline Matthew Stafford in favor of Carson Wentz for the team's Week 18 gameand it could have a big impact on the NFC playoff picture and the Detroit Lions.
The Lions are almost certainly a No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs, as they would not only have to beat the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, but also lose to the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles to advance to the No. 2 seed.
As a result, the Lions' list of potential first-round opponents in the playoffs is short: probably the Rams or the Green Bay Packers.
Currently, the Los Angeles Rams (9-7) have secured a spot in the playoffs and are in 6th place in the NFC, putting them at the top. Next up are the Packers (8-8), followed by the Seattle Seahawks (8-8), New Orleans Saints (8-8) and Vikings (7-9).
But the Rams' path to staying at No. 6 isn't easy as they face the NFC's No. 1 seed San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. If the Rams beat the 49ers, they would remain at No. 6 and would also face the Lions in the first round if Detroit clinch the three seeds.
But if Los Angeles loses, they could drop to the seventh seed if the Packers beat the Chicago Bears – which could set up a first-round matchup between the Lions and Packers.
Since the 49ers had no chance of getting eliminated from the No. 1 seed, they could also bench starters. They have already declared running back Christian McCaffrey out (due to a calf strain). But coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't decided yet whether quarterback Brock Purdy will start.
“I don’t have the plan yet. We’re still discussing all of these things,” Shanahan said.
With Stafford no longer the focal point in the regular season finale, the potential outcome of this game changes significantly.
Here are some possible outcomes based on what happens in the Rams-49ers game:
- Rams win = they are the number 6 seed
- Rams lose, Packers win = Packers #6 seed, Rams #7 seed
- Rams lose, Packers lose = Rams #6 seed, #7 TBD (Packers, Seahawks, Saints)
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