Los Angeles Rams - Chances of making the playoffs: 85.2%

[Prime Time]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/pag...-10-2017-nfl-season-nine-contenders-six-spots

By Bill Barnwell/ESPN Staff Writer


Los Angeles Rams (7-2)
Chances of making the playoffs: 85.2 percent

You might not want to give the Rams too much credit for mopping the floor with the Cardinals, Giants and Texans over the past four weeks, but history tells us that blowing out bad teams can be a better indicator of future success than squeaking out wins over good teams.

Throw in the Colts and 49ers and the Rams have gone 5-0 against the dregs of the league while outscoring their opposition by more than 26 points per game.

I'd argue that the Rams already proved they were for real by beating the Cowboys in Dallas in Week 4, but if you're looking to see how the Rams might fare against playoff competition, you'll get your chance over the rest of the season. Los Angeles gets to travel to Arizona and has a home game against the 49ers to finish the season, but its other five games are against stiff competition.

Sean McVay's team will host the Eagles and Saints and leave California to face the Seahawks, Titans and Vikings, with its trip to Minnesota coming this week. Each of those five teams have a 70-plus percent chance of making the postseason.

We should be past the point of wondering whether the Rams are for real. Their offense isn't going anywhere, even against tougher competition. The only concern should be injuries, and while Jared Goff is still being pressured at a rate well above league average (29.3 percent), he has been sacked on only 4.3 percent of his dropbacks, which is sixth best in the league.

The Rams also could get the ball out quicker to ease some of the stress on Goff, given that he's averaging 2.7 seconds before throwing the ball, which is the sixth-longest wait in the league.

McVay has done a good job of taking some of the stress off Todd Gurley in these recent blowouts. While Gurley had 26 touches in the pre-bye 33-0 shutout of the Cardinals, the Rams gave Gurley just 18 touches in the win over the Giants and 17 touches during Sunday's victory against the Texans. Fantasy owners won't be thrilled with the throttling down, but the Rams will need bigger doses of Gurley in the month to come.

The Rams are in great playoff shape, but that rematch against the Seahawks looms large in their race for the NFC West. The Times' model gives the Rams a 78 percent chance of making the postseason and a 52 percent chance of winning the division. If they beat Seattle at home, the Rams' chances of winning the division soar to 83 percent, but their shot at the West falls to 41 percent if they can't overcome the league's best home-field advantage.

 

[den-the-coach]

One Game at a time, next up the Minnesota Vikings and I'm thankful they play inside now because if that was the case in the 70's, Rams would have whipped their ass every single time.

 

[Ramrasta]

Historically it is 85.2% but the NFC is above average with 10 winning record teams right now in the Eagles, Vikings, Saints, Seahawks, Cowboys, Lions, Packers, Panthers, Falcons, and obviously the Rams (compared to the 6 winning teams in the AFC). Accounting for strength of schedule, the 78% chance given by the Times model is a more accurate outlook but still exciting.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Seahawks still have to face us, Atlanta, Eagles, Jags & Cowboys. I like our divisional chances.

 

[Legatron4]

It just figured the one year that we have a good record and half the NFC does too. Nothing is easy as a Rams fan.

 

[Mackeyser]

Seahawks still have to face us, Atlanta, Eagles, Jags & Cowboys. I like our divisional chances.

I can see the Jags D giving Seattle problems.

 

[LACHAMP46]

It just figured the one year that we have a good record and half the NFC does too. Nothing is easy as a Rams fan.

Better this way....more fun....Scoreboard watching....matchup watching....C'mon lega....your boy GZ is 28/29 too!:yess::yay:

 

[tempests]

100%. Only devastating injuries can stop us now.

 

[Raptorman]

Each year I follow the Super Bowl odds during the year and post them on a couple of forums. The last time I posted them was after Rodgers went down in the Vikings game. I noticed how the Rams got no respect until then. BTW current odds for the Rams winning the Super bowl are 12-1

Team                  Mar 15  June 29  Sept 3  Oct 19
New England Patriots    5/1     17/5     7/2     4/1
Dallas Cowboys         11/1     10/1    12/1    33/1
Atlanta Falcons        12/1     13/1    12/1    14/1
Green Bay Packers      12/1     11/1    12/1    25/1
Seattle Seahawks       12/1     12/1    10/1    10/1
Denver Broncos         13/1     18/1    25/1    25/1
Pittsburgh Steelers    18/1     16/1    12/1    10/1
Oakland Raiders        20/1     14/1    14/1    66/1
New York Giants        22/1     22/1    14/1    80/1
Kansas City Chiefs     25/1     25/1    22/1     8/1
Houston Texans          25/1     15/1    20/1    33/1
Indianapolis Colts     30/1     30/1    30/1   100/1
Carolina Panthers      30/1     30/1    28/1    20/1
Minnesota Vikings      30/1     30/1    28/1    20/1
Arizona Cardinals      35/1     32/1    33/1    66/1
Baltimore Ravens       40/1     40/1    50/1    66/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers   40/1     30/1    33/1    66/1
Miami Dolphins         50/1     60/1    66/1    66/1
Philadelphia Eagles    50/1     50/1    40/1     8/1
Tennessee Titans       50/1     50/1    33/1    33/1
Cincinnati Bengals     55/1     55/1    50/1    50/1
Washington Redskins    60/1     60/1    66/1    33/1
Detroit Lions          70/1     70/1    66/1    33/1
New Orleans Saints     70/1     50/1    40/1    25/1
Buffalo Bills          80/1     90/1   100/1    66/1
Los Angeles Chargers   80/1     80/1    66/1    80/1
Jacksonville Jaguars  100/1     90/1    66/1    66/1
Chicago Bears         125/1    125/1   200/1   100/1
New York Jets         150/1    150/1   250/1   200/1
Los Angeles Rams      150/1    150/1   150/1    33/1
San Francisco 49ers   300/1    300/1   250/1  1000/1
Cleveland Browns      300/1    300/1   250/1  1000/1