Rams playoff explainer: Here are the four teams they could face
LA TimesRams coach Sean McVay won’t know his playoff opponent until the completion of Week 18. Final seedings and playoff matchups will not be determined until after Sunday’s games, but the Rams are positioned to play a wild-card game against either the Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings or Detroit Lions. “Being fortunate enough to be in this position for eight years, I’m not taking wins for granted,” McVay said after the victory over the Cardinals, “but we will look at it with a critical eye and, and say, ‘Alright, what does it really look like to play complete football?’ If you’re going to get an opportunity to go win next week and give yourself a chance to be competitive if you do get into the dance.” The Rams are going to the playoffs as a division champion. After the win over the Cardinals, when asked whether Rams starters would play against the Seahawks, McVay said “I don’t want to put the cart before the horse,” and that the Rams would prepare as usual for the Seahawks. “Until we have to decide otherwise,” he said, “that’s where my sole focus and concentration will be.” The Rams did not practice Monday and were not scheduled to do so Tuesday, so it remains to be seen whether McVay will opt to start Jimmy Garoppolo in place of Stafford against the Seahawks.