AZ is already 3-0 in div. Rams 1-1. So, even if stuff just "works itself out" as some have said, and even if the Rams run the table within the division and AZ wins all remaining div games(minus a loss vs Rams) the teams will be tied at 5-1 which goes to the next tie breaker.
>Best won-loss % in common games. I have no energy to look up where the two teams are at in that regard.
IMO it will be very difficult for the Rams to move up from the #5 seed going forward.
The common games thing is easy to keep track of if ya just focus on losses.
AZ is ahead of da Rams by 1 in common games-- the TN loss. But if the Rams beat GB, then LA and AZ would be tied with 1 loss each in "common games."
So obviously Rams can catch AZ if they just beat AZ, and then "keep pace" with AZ down the stretch with the same number of losses.
But yeah, whatever losses are incurred moving forward-- the opponent matters. Rams sure can't afford to lose to either SEA or SF if they want to keep pace with AZ on the division W/L tiebreaker.
Gonna be hard to catch AZ, granted. And so many of the games moving forward feel like "must wins"-- especially vs. AZ, GB, SF x 2, and SEA. But that AZ loss today vs. CAR is huge, and gives us that tiny little bit of wiggle room.